Wally Backman

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#ff5731
bgcolor2=#003581
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Wally Backman


caption=
position=Second Baseman
bats=Switch
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1959|9|22
debutdate=September 2
debutyear=1980
debutteam=New York Mets
finaldate=May 14
finalyear=1993
finalteam=Seattle Mariners
stat1label=AVG
stat1value=.275
stat2label=Hits
stat2value=893
stat3label=RBIs
stat3value=240
teams=
*New York Mets (by|1980-by|1988)
*Minnesota Twins (by|1989)
*Pittsburgh Pirates (by|1990)
*Philadelphia Phillies (by|1991-by|1992)
*Seattle Mariners (by|1993)
highlights=
* Member of 1986 World Champion New York Mets team
* Led NL in Sacrifice Hits (14) in 1985

Walter 'Wally' Wayne Backman (born September 22, 1959 in Hillsboro, Oregon) is a former Major League Baseball player. Backman played 14 seasons in the majors with the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners. Backman is most well-known for his time with the Mets from by|1980-by|1988 and was a member of their 1986 World Championship team. Backman was a key part of the 1986 Mets as he hit .320 and played a very solid second base. Backman played second base and shortstop while with the Mets and switched over to third base later in his career.

Coaching

In 2006, he became the manager for the South Georgia Peanuts of the independent South Coast League.

However, according to ESPN, Backman resigned from the manager position for the South Georgia Peanuts on August 7, 2007. Three days later, he returned as manager of the Peanuts after he was able to work out differences with South Coast League officials. The Peanuts won their league with a 59-28 record.

In December 2007, Backman became manager of the Joliet Jackhammers. [ [http://www.jackhammerbaseball.com/news/index.html?article_id=1734 JackHammers ink new Manager at jackhammerbaseball.com] ]

Legal and financial problems

After retiring as a player, Backman was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He coached the Lancaster JetHawks, a farm club for the Mariners. On November 1, 2004, Backman was hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks to be their new mananger. However, only a day later, reports surfaced that Backman had serious legal and financial problems. He had also been arrested in by|1999 for DUI in Washington as documented on HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. A year later, he was arrested in connection with an altercation in his home in Prineville, Oregon. In addition, Backman declared bankruptcy to avoid paying over 20 creditors, including the IRS. [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/diamondbacks/2004-11-02-backman-past_x.htm] The Diamondbacks initially stood by him, but fired him on November 5. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/11/05/backman.fired.ap/] .

References

External links