Good for Wally New B-Met Manager
Our boy Wally Backman didn’t get the Met gig but he did get one helluva consolation prize: manager of the AA Binghamton Mets.
I know Wally had his sights on the big league gig, and many of us were hoping he’d get the nod but the truth is Wally is still in his probationary period under the Wilpons.
The funny thing is Wally’s move from Short season rookie ball to AA is in some ways a backwards step. Of course the prestige factor is a couple of steps up but moving from Brooklyn to Binghamton can feel like exile in Siberia - lol.
But his chances of landing a big league skipper job have increased exponentially now that he’s in AA. And the AA manager often gets the inside track for his franchise top managerial spot since he’s worked with all the prospects coming through the system.
Good luck Wally hopefully SNY will carry some B Met games this year.
January 25th, 2011 at 10:09 am
I think the Mets are prepping Wally to be the future manager.
We all know that unless a lot of things break right; several guys have a breakout season, rebound from injury and have career years for the Mets to truly compete. It could happen, but honestly we all know that we’ll probably be seeing another .500 season.
I don’t think management wanted to put Wally in a potential hopeless situation.
Let Terry deal with mediocrity for the next two years and have him work with the young guys. Keep Wally in the minors and have the young guys learn from him. I think Wally has a lot to teach to young players.
Once the team turns the corner, promote Wally and have him take it the rest of the way.
January 25th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Mets training camp in PSL is now open. Players coming in voluntarially and rehabbers are there. Can Spring Training be far away?..3 weeks!
Is it me or does this seem like the longest off season ever? Was it because we were quite in the trading game or that are expectations have bee stifled?
BMF: Get rid of Mojo Kitty!…Need a new critter!
What do the ticke sales look like for 2011?…What are you guys doing about tickets? Going to go to more or less games this year?
January 25th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
I like that Backman is getting promoted to AA, if all goes well, next year he’ll be in AAA and depending how Collins does after 2112, Backman could be granted his dream job or at least kept in the minors if Collins manages to guide us to a winning record. Either way, it’s going to be a long journey for Backman, the Mets and us fans to get where we want to be, but I have a feeling it’ll be worth the wait.
FMFR, I renewed my 15 game “Sunday Plan”, the ticket prices only went down about $40 or so, so I couldn’t upgrade my seats, but since I’m literally the last row of hte upper deck behind home plate, I only sit there when its raining, other than that, we stand on the bridge… or sit field level if we get to BP early enough and its not too full.
Let’s go Mets go!
January 25th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
2112? Does somebody have a Rush album plaiyng in the background? Then again, Geddy Lee is a huge baseball fan.
Central NY is NOT Siberia….Bingo is only 70 miles down the road and I hear the B-Mets really support the fans and vice versa…..can’t say much about the Syracuse Chiefs/Nationals but that’s due to the guy in charge.
Let’s Go Mets!
January 25th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
BMF: Are the “GO BIG PELF” shirts selling like hotcakes now that he is “Our Ace” and starting pitcher for 2011?
January 25th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Cowcrusher is right
I attended college in Binghamton. It’s a good sized town, not far from NYC at all. Many are from the NYC area because of the university.
I think that Wally and Binghamton will get along famously.
January 26th, 2011 at 12:43 am
Now if it’s only a matter of time til the Nationals set up a AAA affiliate in Virginia, perhaps we can get the AAA Mets and have a real Orange and Blue team here in the ‘Cuse. BUF can have the Jays.
January 26th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
He’s better off in Binghamton…this way he won’t have to manage the bunch of losers Omar pulled together to a few 78 win seasons then get fired…
January 26th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
How about that Gil Meche, walking away from 12,000,000 bucks? He knew he was done, so he’s not asking the Royals for a penny more that he is owed. Now that’s a class act.