Backman: The 'truth' will come out
ESPN interview is planned
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 16, 2004 12:00 AM
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Wally Backman plans to share his side of his ouster as Diamondbacks manager during an ESPN interview later this week.
Backman said he wants to set the record straight for the benefit of his personal life, as well as a chance to seek another major league managerial job.
Reached Monday at his home in Prineville, Ore., where ESPN is scheduled to interview him Thursday, Backman told The Republic he feels the news media, specifically The Republic, criticized him unjustly and the Diamondbacks dismissed him prematurely.
"All I'm looking for is the truth, and that's exactly why I'm doing this with ESPN," Backman said. " . . . If people want to know my whole life's story, so be it. I've already been dragged through the mud and those types of things, but the truth is going to come out."
Diamondbacks General Partner Ken Kendrick declined to address specifics involving Backman.
"We wish Wally the best," Kendrick said. "And there's really nothing else to be said. I sincerely wish him the best."
Arizona hired Backman as its manager Nov. 1 but removed him from the organization four days later, hiring Bob Melvin after reports surfaced about off-the-field incidents involving Backman, 45.
Those incidents included a DUI conviction, pleading guilty to a harassment charge involving a female friend of the family and allegations of spousal abuse made by his ex-wife, Margie.
"I never touched my wife," Backman said emphatically on Monday.
Margie Backman filed a temporary restraining order against her husband Oct. 31, 1995, alleging that he had struck her and threatened to do it again. The order was dismissed nine days later at a court hearing attended by both Backmans.
"My ex-wife had two contempt (of court) charges against her, but nobody bothered to write any of that stuff," Wally Backman said, adding, "One or two writers jumped on something and didn't use the total facts."
Backman, who joined the Diamondbacks organization in January as manager of the Class A affiliate in Lancaster, Calif., did not reveal his entire off-the-field background to Diamondbacks officials during his interview process for the major league managerial post. The Diamondbacks acknowledged they did not conduct a criminal or financial background check on Backman prior to naming him manager.
After conducting their own investigation, the Diamondbacks informed Backman he would not manage the team and that, since he had not yet signed a contract, they don't owe him any financial compensation. Backman, though, had agreed in principle to a two-year contract worth about $1 million.
Backman said he and his attorneys are contemplating legal action. Terry Bross, one of his Valley-based representatives, did not return phone messages Monday.
"Nobody is going to fight for me except myself," Backman said. "I just want the public to know the truth. No doubt, I made some mistakes in my life. Everybody does. But I had gone (moved forward) beyond those mistakes."
Backman, named the minor league Manager of the Year by The Sporting News after guiding Lancaster to an 86-54 record and a berth in the California League championship series, acknowledged that his managing career is in limbo.
"I know there's a chance I may never get a chance to manage again," Backman said. "I hope that's not the case."[/font]
ESPN interview is planned
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 16, 2004 12:00 AM
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Wally Backman plans to share his side of his ouster as Diamondbacks manager during an ESPN interview later this week.
Backman said he wants to set the record straight for the benefit of his personal life, as well as a chance to seek another major league managerial job.
Reached Monday at his home in Prineville, Ore., where ESPN is scheduled to interview him Thursday, Backman told The Republic he feels the news media, specifically The Republic, criticized him unjustly and the Diamondbacks dismissed him prematurely.
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"All I'm looking for is the truth, and that's exactly why I'm doing this with ESPN," Backman said. " . . . If people want to know my whole life's story, so be it. I've already been dragged through the mud and those types of things, but the truth is going to come out."
Diamondbacks General Partner Ken Kendrick declined to address specifics involving Backman.
"We wish Wally the best," Kendrick said. "And there's really nothing else to be said. I sincerely wish him the best."
Arizona hired Backman as its manager Nov. 1 but removed him from the organization four days later, hiring Bob Melvin after reports surfaced about off-the-field incidents involving Backman, 45.
Those incidents included a DUI conviction, pleading guilty to a harassment charge involving a female friend of the family and allegations of spousal abuse made by his ex-wife, Margie.
"I never touched my wife," Backman said emphatically on Monday.
Margie Backman filed a temporary restraining order against her husband Oct. 31, 1995, alleging that he had struck her and threatened to do it again. The order was dismissed nine days later at a court hearing attended by both Backmans.
"My ex-wife had two contempt (of court) charges against her, but nobody bothered to write any of that stuff," Wally Backman said, adding, "One or two writers jumped on something and didn't use the total facts."
Backman, who joined the Diamondbacks organization in January as manager of the Class A affiliate in Lancaster, Calif., did not reveal his entire off-the-field background to Diamondbacks officials during his interview process for the major league managerial post. The Diamondbacks acknowledged they did not conduct a criminal or financial background check on Backman prior to naming him manager.
After conducting their own investigation, the Diamondbacks informed Backman he would not manage the team and that, since he had not yet signed a contract, they don't owe him any financial compensation. Backman, though, had agreed in principle to a two-year contract worth about $1 million.
Backman said he and his attorneys are contemplating legal action. Terry Bross, one of his Valley-based representatives, did not return phone messages Monday.
"Nobody is going to fight for me except myself," Backman said. "I just want the public to know the truth. No doubt, I made some mistakes in my life. Everybody does. But I had gone (moved forward) beyond those mistakes."
Backman, named the minor league Manager of the Year by The Sporting News after guiding Lancaster to an 86-54 record and a berth in the California League championship series, acknowledged that his managing career is in limbo.
"I know there's a chance I may never get a chance to manage again," Backman said. "I hope that's not the case."[/font]
