A reunion with Wally Backman might be just what Conor Jackson’s career needs. Worth a shot. — Gotham Baseball (@GothamBaseball) March 26, 2012 Interesting point brought up by Gotham Baseball. Jackson was released by the Texas Rangers this week. Although they needed a right handed hitting outfielder, Jackson struggled with the bat going 3 for [...]

Could there be a benefit to the Mets pushing their young pitchers? I am not suggesting eschewing any innings targets, but pushing them to compete at a higher level before they are ready. Wally Backman talked about some the young pitchers with WGR 550 in Buffalo. “I don’t know if they (Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia) start the season [...]

I was just informed that the report about Wally Backman possibly joining the #Nats as a Major League coach is not true. #MLB #MetsTue Oct 11 18:24:55 via webWilliam Ladsonwashingnats Bill Ladson, Nationals beat reporter for MLB.com reports that Wally Backman will not be joining Davey Johnson’s staff. I would suspect this means that Backman [...]

According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, industry sources believe the Rockies will be “aggressive in their pursuit of David Wright.” He adds that Colorado General Manager Dan O’ Dowd is targeting an innings-eating starter and impact bat this offseason. I believe the Mets won’t aggressively look to deal Wright, but will be open to hearing [...]

Want to get your juices flowing for Old Timers’ Day at the Stadium later today? Check out this video with highlights from last year’s festivities. It includes interviews with Cecil Fielder, Ron Blomberg, Rick Cerone, Nick Swisher, Bob Turley, and Jerry Coleman. *** Davey Johnson tells a story about how he got the last hit [...]

Update: 11:00 PM: According to ESPN the Marlins are going to bring back 80-year old Jack McKeon. Back in 2003, they hired McKeon midseason when the team was floundering under Jeff Torborg (they were 16-22 at the time). They would go on to win the World Series that year, beating the Yankees in six games. [...]

One of the reasons I thought Wally Backman would have been the perfect manager for the Mets is the fear of what we are seeing would happen. Although I still believe there is good baseball to be played by this group, a 5-12 start isn’t the best path to 85 wins or Wild Card contention. [...]

Courtesy of Wally Backman. Check out this video from Playing for Peanuts where he discusses the umpiring in both leagues during his playing days. Backman was traded from the Mets to Minnesota after the 1988 season. He produced the worst offensive season of his career playing under Tom Kelly as he hit .231 with a [...]

If he stays healthy. I like him. 26 HR, 80 BB in 152 pro games. @thosebackpages: will Reese Havens ever play everyday ML baseball? #Metsless than a minute ago via HootSuiteJim CallisjimcallisBA I saw Havens play last year in Binghamton before he was injured. He clearly can hit, as Jim Callis of Baseball America points [...]

I realize, in what has been a legitimate Winter of Discontent for both Yankees and Mets fans, my writing has been, for the most part, absent from NYBD presentations. The reason is my recent pursuit, that of Director of Media Relations for the Trenton Steel, a new Indoor Football team which will begin play in [...]

Back in August of 2008 I visited Bernie Robbins Stadium in Atlantic City to interview Cecil Fielder. Fielder, at the time, was manager of the Surf, and just a year removed from the South Coast League. Yes, the same South Coast League that Wally Backman was a manager. It was an experience I wouldn’t forget [...]

Last offseason I trumpeted the virtues of Jeff Francoeur. If you remember, and I am sure you do, Francoeur was coming off a half season with the Mets where he put up a .311/.338/.498 line after the trade from Atlanta. I thought he would take his fresh start in New York to learn the plate [...]

The last three days Dino Costa of Mad Dog Radio has stated that he believes Wally Backman will be the next manager of the Mets. Costa said this information is coming from “impeccable sources.” I reached out to Costa tonight who told me he stands by his statements on the radio and does not believe [...]

Being the underdog is nothing new to Wally Backman. Despite being selected in the first round of the draft, it took him seven years to finally establish himself in the big leagues, only doing so after performing for future Mets manager Davey Johnson at Tidewater in 1983. Even though Backman put up solid numbers as [...]

Listen to a special edition of NYBD Radio as Jim Duquette of Sirius XM joins me to talk some New York baseball Hot Stove. Hear his thoughts on the Mets managerial search, Sandy Alderson’s All Star front office, Derek Jeter‘s contract, and what the Yanks should pay for Cliff Lee. I will address the Bob [...]