BUFFALO, NY - (Bisons Media Release) The Buffalo Bisons today announced that the New York Mets have selected WALLY BACKMAN as the Bisons’ manager for the 2012 season. The 1986 World Series Champion is the Herd’s 17th manager in the team’s modern era.
Backman, 52, is entering his 10th managerial season and his third in the Mets organization. Overall, he has a record of 534-488 (.523) with two league championships in his career. Last season, the Pineville, OR-native managed the Double-A Binghamton Mets to a 65-76 record. In 2010, Backman led the Class-A Brooklyn Cyclones to a 51-24 record and a McNamara Division Title before losing in the New York-Penn League finals.
Backman’s managerial career began in 2001 with three seasons in the Chicago White Sox minor league system. In 2002, he led the Double-A Birmingham Barons to a 79-61 record and a Southern League Championship. In 2004, he guided the Single-A Lancaster Jethawks of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ system to a South Division title and was named The Sporting News Minor League Manager of the Year.
Backman played 14 major league seasons from 1980-1993, including nine with the New York Mets (1980-1988). In 1,102 career big league games with the Mets, Twins, Pirates, Phillies and Mariners, the infielder hit .275 with 167 extra-base hits, 240RBI and 117 stolen bases.
Backman hit a career-best .320 in 124 games for the 1986 Mets that captured a World Series Championship. He was originally drafted by New York in the first round of the 1977 draft (16th overall) out of Aloha High School in Hillsboro, OR. After he retired as a player, Backman was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Backman’s Managerial Records
Year Team Level Record Pct.
2001 Winston-Salem A 54-86 .386
2002 Birmingham AA 79-61 .564 *Southern League Champs
2003 Birmingham AA 73-64 .533
2004 Lancaster A 86-54 .614 *South Division Champs
2007 South Georgia IND 59-28 .678 *South Coast League Champs
2008 Joliet IND 43-53 .448
2009 Joliet IND 24-42 .364
2010 Brooklyn A 51-24 .680 *McNamara Division Title
2011 Binghamton AA 65-76 .461
Total 534-488 .523
