FanNation

Reality Show Puts Former Mets 2B in Positive Spotlight

This past Sunday Wally Backman made his television debut in New York. It wasn’t the one he has been hoping for since his dismissal from the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004, but it will have to do for now.

“Playing for Peanuts” is a reality show about independent minor league baseball. The scene is Albany Georgia where former Mets 2B Wally Backman managed the South Georgia Peanuts in 2007. I am confident that the public will see a show that depicts the ups and downs of independent minor league baseball, but I fear the real story will be ignored by the mainstream media. Furthermore, the answer to the Mets perceived problems could be right in front of their face.

We all know by now that Wally Backman was fired by the Arizona Diamondbacks just days after being hired in November of 2004. The Arizona media did a great job of airing Backman’s personal affairs to the public during the aftermath with little regard to fact finding or giving Backman equal time to respond. Four years later, the media is displaying far more petty behavior by ignoring the great story that Backman has become.

During “Playing for Peanuts” you will see exactly what 30 major league clubs are missing by not having Wally captain their team. On display will be Backman’s baseball acumen, in game management and ability to lead men. Because of Backman, the Peanuts are a group of individuals where the whole is greater then the sum of its parts.

For those that might be surprised by this statement take a look at the facts. During his managerial career Backman is a two-time manager of the year who has been at the helm of three championship teams. Professional players like Dan Uggla, Conor Jackson and Aaron Rowand cite him as a positive influence in their development. Despite all the success no major league club has interviewed Wally in the 41 months since his dismissal.

The real question to me is why haven’t we heard more about the attributes of Wally Backman? Here in New York the Mets television affiliate (SNY) ran the debut of the show hours after a game with the Cincinnati Reds. There was no mention of this show before, during or after the game. Matt Cerrone’s Metsblog which is described as a “grand central station of Mets news and information” failed to acknowledge this show exists.

This kind of treatment of a player that meant so much to the Mets franchise during his tenure can only mean one of the following: SNY is completely clueless on how to promote a great product, or they are under gag order to not embrace a controversial figure. I will let the reader decide which scenario they believe. My feeling is the latter might have a slight edge.

Those that are conspiracy theorists may note that current Mets manager Willie Randolph has been taken a beating by the media and fans since the start of the season. Displaying Backman’s prowess as a manager might put Willie in an even more negative light. The last thing Mets management needs now is to give their fan base more fodder.

I am positive that the anti-Willie crowd will be pining even harder for Wally each week as the episodes unfold. I have said this numerous times on Gotham Baseball Live since the end of last season: Wally Backman would be a perfect fit for this ballclub.

Backman would address the biggest issues that have plagued the Mets for two years:

• Managing the bullpen
• Generating daily intensity
• Getting the most out of the roster’s talents

Unfortunately the Mets, like all of professional baseball, have yet to look past Backman’s aforementioned incidents of 2004. It’s a shame because there are so many others with similar indiscretions that currently run professional ball clubs.

Since the mainstream media has failed to give baseball fans notice about this great product I have decided I will. Check out www.playingforpeanuts.com and find out when it’s on in your neck of the woods. I am confident you will see what professional baseball has been missing out on since 2004. In New York we may just see a solution to the Mets dugout woes.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host. His is the host of a New York baseball show called Gotham Baseball Live (www.blogtalkradio.com/nybaseballtalk) that is syndicated on www.gothamsportsradio.com.