azdad1978
Championship!!!!
By Ed Price, Tribune
The Diamondbacks concluded their managerial interviews Saturday and may be leaning toward hiring Wally Backman.
"I think it’s Backman," said a person familiar with Arizona’s process.
Ken Kendrick, one of the team’s general partners, said after Saturday’s interview of Manny Acta that no decision has been made.
General manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said there were no specific plans for D-Backs officials to reconvene and that the new manager will be named "as soon as we all feel comfortable with the decision."
"The mechanics from this point are pretty flexible, as is the timetable," Garagiola said.
"We’re going to work some over this weekend on it," Kendrick said. "I’m not sure how we’re going to end up on timing (the announcement). We need to get on with it."
Acta — who had his second interview Saturday with Kendrick, Garagiola and CEO Jeff Moorad — Bob Melvin and Backman were the finalists from the original field of eight.
"Manny was absolutely as impressive this time as he was last time," Garagiola said.
"What a bright guy," Kendrick said. "He is a very impressive fellow."
The Diamondbacks, 51-111 this year, fired Bob Brenly on July 2 and moved third-base coach Al Pedrique to manager for the remainder of the season.
Backman’s wife, Sandy, said Saturday that Backman had been on a hunting trip since his second D-Backs interview and had not heard of a decision.
After his interview Wednesday with Arizona ownership, Backman had been scheduled to interview for the New York Mets’ opening. But he withdrew, leading to speculation he had the D-Backs job sewn up.
According to ESPN.com, "the Mets have been told Wally Backman is getting the Arizona job."
Arizona officials deny any conclusion has been reached, and there are no indications Backman has been offered the job.
Backman, 45, managed Arizona’s Class A Lancaster affiliate this year after three seasons managing in the Chicago White Sox organization.
The JetHawks won the first- and second-half titles in the California League’s Southern Division, going 42-27 each time despite losing a number of top prospects at the break. Lancaster lost in the final game of the California League championship but was named Baseball America’s team of the year.
Although Backman reportedly was ejected six times and suspended twice, his fiery personality may be attractive to a team in need of fan appeal.
Backman was honored as The Sporting News’ minor league manager of the year and was named by Baseball America as the top managerial prospect in the league, an honor he also won as he guided his team to a Class AA Southern League championship in 2002.
Including four seasons in independent leagues and his time with the White Sox (at Class A and Class AA), Backman’s overall record is 410-396.
He was a gritty infielder for 14 seasons, mostly with the New York Mets, including the 1986 World Series championship team.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=30745
The Diamondbacks concluded their managerial interviews Saturday and may be leaning toward hiring Wally Backman.
"I think it’s Backman," said a person familiar with Arizona’s process.
Ken Kendrick, one of the team’s general partners, said after Saturday’s interview of Manny Acta that no decision has been made.
General manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said there were no specific plans for D-Backs officials to reconvene and that the new manager will be named "as soon as we all feel comfortable with the decision."
"The mechanics from this point are pretty flexible, as is the timetable," Garagiola said.
"We’re going to work some over this weekend on it," Kendrick said. "I’m not sure how we’re going to end up on timing (the announcement). We need to get on with it."
Acta — who had his second interview Saturday with Kendrick, Garagiola and CEO Jeff Moorad — Bob Melvin and Backman were the finalists from the original field of eight.
"Manny was absolutely as impressive this time as he was last time," Garagiola said.
"What a bright guy," Kendrick said. "He is a very impressive fellow."
The Diamondbacks, 51-111 this year, fired Bob Brenly on July 2 and moved third-base coach Al Pedrique to manager for the remainder of the season.
Backman’s wife, Sandy, said Saturday that Backman had been on a hunting trip since his second D-Backs interview and had not heard of a decision.
After his interview Wednesday with Arizona ownership, Backman had been scheduled to interview for the New York Mets’ opening. But he withdrew, leading to speculation he had the D-Backs job sewn up.
According to ESPN.com, "the Mets have been told Wally Backman is getting the Arizona job."
Arizona officials deny any conclusion has been reached, and there are no indications Backman has been offered the job.
Backman, 45, managed Arizona’s Class A Lancaster affiliate this year after three seasons managing in the Chicago White Sox organization.
The JetHawks won the first- and second-half titles in the California League’s Southern Division, going 42-27 each time despite losing a number of top prospects at the break. Lancaster lost in the final game of the California League championship but was named Baseball America’s team of the year.
Although Backman reportedly was ejected six times and suspended twice, his fiery personality may be attractive to a team in need of fan appeal.
Backman was honored as The Sporting News’ minor league manager of the year and was named by Baseball America as the top managerial prospect in the league, an honor he also won as he guided his team to a Class AA Southern League championship in 2002.
Including four seasons in independent leagues and his time with the White Sox (at Class A and Class AA), Backman’s overall record is 410-396.
He was a gritty infielder for 14 seasons, mostly with the New York Mets, including the 1986 World Series championship team.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=30745
