Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Wally Backman

Looking at Conor Jackson

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

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 […]

Should Mets Push Wheeler, Harvey and Familia?

Friday, February 17th, 2012

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 […]

Backman Not Joining Nationals

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

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 […]

David Wright and the Colorado Rockies

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

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 […]

Old Timers’ Day, Koufax Last Hit, Saturday Baseball

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

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 […]

Marlins Wanted Permission to Talk to Backman

Sunday, June 19th, 2011

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. […]

Would Backman Have Prevented the Negativity?

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

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. […]

AL vs. NL Strike Zone

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

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 […]

Why The 2B Winner Might Be Temporary

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

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 […]

Enough of the Winter of Discontent

Monday, February 14th, 2011

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 […]