Wally Backman

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Walter 'Wally' Wayne Backman (born September 22, 1959 in Hillsboro, Oregon) is a retired baseball player. Backman spent his 14 season career 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 1980-1988, and was as a member of their 1986 World Championship team. Backman was a key part of the 1986 Mets as he batted .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.

After retiring as a player, Backman went on to coach the Lancaster JetHawks, a farm club for the Mariners. On November 1, 2004, Backman was hired by the Diamondbacks to be their new mananger. However, only a day later, reports surfaced that Backman had serious legal and financial problems. He'd been arrested in 2001 for DUI in Washington state. A year later, he was arrested in connection with an altercation in his home in Prineville, Oregon. In addition, he'd declared bankruptcy to avoid paying over 20 creditors, including the IRS.[1] The Diamondbacks initially stood by him, but fired him on November 5. [2].

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

[edit] Career statistics

• Bats: Both, Throws: Right
• Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), Weight: 160 lb.
• Debut: September 2, 1980
• Final Game: May 14, 1993

[edit] External links

• BR Bullpen