Who is Wally Backman?

Manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones Wally Backman gets vocal during a game on July 31, 2010 in Brooklyn, NY (Photo by Jack Shea / Meet The Famous) Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsWith the Mets catching naps while there are runners in scoring position, there isn’t much more to say that hasn’t been said. Unfortunately, it’s getting harder to defend any criticism journalists or fans are throwing at the blue and orange. If this continues, as seems expected, there will be a big shakeup necessary.

Although I have enjoyed Jerry Manuel’s ability to deflect and laugh in the face of his utter demise, Met fans are looking for someone to throw a water cooler when they are playing like this. With Wally Backman stirring in the minors and Fred Wilpon’s love for the ’86 team, is there a doubt that this is the inevitable move?

Wally Backman is the current favorite to replace Manuel and he is a stark contrast to the current head of the team. Backman has a history of success in the minors with affiliate clubs of the White Sox and the Diamondbacks. In 2004, Arizona took notice and looked to bring Backman to the big club. However, in November of that year Arizona learned about the baggage that tends to come with the hard nosed types. Wally found himself a target of Bryant Gumbel’s HBO Real Sports. The show took a look at Backman’s DUI arrest in 1999. More unsettling news was soon coming to the surface as reporters began to uncover the truth. In 2000, Backman was arrested due to an altercation in his home. Backman also had financial woes and filed for bankruptcy to avoid over 20 creditors. Continue reading “Who is Wally Backman?”

Mets 3 – Braves 2 August 3, 2010

July 22, 2010 Los Angeles, CA..New York Mets Jeff Francoeur  in the fifth inning in action during the Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium July 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, California..The Dodgers defeat the Mets 2-0.Louis Lopez/CSM.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets got another solid start from R.A. Dickey going 6 innings and giving up only 2 runs. It’s amazing how consistent he’s been. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop but it hasn’t happened. Manny Acosta had a really good relief appearance back in Atlanta going 1.2 scoreless innings.

On offense, the Mets had 9 hits and 2 walks. Luis Castillo was the only player with 2 hits in the game including a double. Chris Carter had a big pinch hit RBI single in the seventh inning to tie it up. Then Jeff Francoeur hit a solo homer to right off Billy Wagner to win it in the top of the ninth. He’s been awful lately, so it’s nice to see him do something positive back home in Atlanta.

The Mets and Braves will play the rubber game of the series tomorrow night.

Box score

Preview: Mets at Braves August 3, 2010

New York Mets (53-53) at Atlanta Braves (60-45) 7:10pm

R.A. Dickey (7-4 2.32) vs Derek Lowe (10-9 4.58)

TV: SNY  Radio: WFAN

What to watch: It’s a sad state of affairs when the Mets need to rely on Dickey to be the stopper, but that’s where we are. He hasn’t given up a run in his last two starts. Fortunately, Lowe has been giving up runs and games at an alarming rate recently. He’s given up 11 runs in his last three starts.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

Braves 4 – Mets 1 August 2, 2010

New York Mets Carlos Beltran hits a single in the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York City on June 13, 2009. (UPI Photo/John Angelillo) Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Braves picked up 3 runs in the bottom of the first inning off Johan Santana and the game was over. The Mets defense didn’t help Santana out with some sloppy play in the field which we’re becoming accustomed to after the most recent home stand. The Mets didn’t have any errors, but they weren’t hustling in the field and allowed Braves runners to take extra bases.

The Mets offense wasn’t terrible with 8 hits and 3 walks. But they left 10 runners on base and couldn’t get any timely hitting. The only run scored was a Carlos Beltran RBI double in the fifth.

The Mets continue their downward trend. It’s starting to become eerily reminiscent of 2009 watching this team.

Box score

Preview: Mets at Braves August 2, 2010

New York Mets (53-52) at Atlanta Braves (59-45) 7:10pm

Johan Santana (8-5 3.11) vs Tim Hudson (11-5 2.40)

TV: ESPN   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Braves have lost their last three series’. But they aren’t playing as poorly as the Mets by any stretch of the imagination. Hudson has been pitching pretty well. He’s won three of his last four starts. Santana got rocked in his last start by the Cardinals giving up 7 runs over 5.2 IP.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

D-Backs 14 – Mets 1 August 1, 2010

New York Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese throws a pitch in the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field in New York City on August 5, 2009. UPI/John Angelillo Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets were completely annihilated by the D-Backs in the rubber game of the series this afternoon. It’s a shame they put on such a poor show in front of a good crowd there for the Mets Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Jon Niese started the game well then got crushed for 3 runs in the fourth inning and 4 more in the fifth. He wasn’t helped out by the sloppy defense either. The Mets had 2 errors in the game but there were plenty of careless plays that made the Mets look like they were sleepwalking through this one.

The Mets only had 5 hits and 1 walk as a team. So there weren’t any standouts on offense to write about.

Oliver Perez did mop up the final two innings allowing 4 more runs to score. He heard some pretty hearty boo’s when he entered the game in the eighth inning.

The Mets are off to Atlanta then Philly this week.

Box score

Preview: D-Backs at Mets August 1, 2010

Arizona D-Backs (38-66) at New York Mets (53-51) 1:10pm

Daniel Hudson (1-1 6.32) vs Jon Niese (7-4 3.43)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets and D-Backs play the rubber game of the series after the Mets took a thriller in the bottom of the ninth last night. Today is also the Mets Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It’s a great game to have a ticket for. Hudson was roughed up badly in two of his three starts this season. This is only his sixth career big league start. Niese had another fantastic game against the Cardinals in his last start allowing only 1 run over 6 innings.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.