Anybody have any Wally Backman RCs?
Stone193
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Backman played 13 yrs. in the majors and no one is going to accuse him of being a superstar - but he worked hard and always played to win. He did the same things while working his way up the managerial tree and got the nod by the Diamondbacks last year.
Then the wheels came off - the owners did not do a background check - when he was found to have some dirty laundry, they cleaned his clock and let him loose.
I think he was fired for the wrong reasons - they say it was because he didn't disclose - well, where's the documents proving they asked for "official" disclosure. He was fired because the owner felt like a jerk and wanted out.
So, he had a DUI, a domestic "incident" which was later dropped by wife and wife's friend - they admit to this day, it was a very bad misunderstanding, he's a potential alcoholic etc. But wait! He was effective as a manager - not my kind of guy - too much "in your face, hot head" - but he's scrappy, competitive, a la Rose, and wants to win. His personal life really had no impact on his job performance.
And, if the sporting world is so concerned about their image - hmmm...the players can be convicted felons but we want the leadership to pass the "saint" test? Not sure I get all of it.
I know I'm oversimplifying this - and there's more to it - but it just bothers me that a guy lost his job and was made to look like the bad guy when it had nothing to do with his job performance and the impact on the image of the Diamondbacks is questionable.
What do you guys think? Anyone see this on HBO?
mike
Mike
0
Comments
<< <i>he also rooted for the minnesota twins to beat the white sox,while he was employed by the white sox in their minor leagues so jerry manual would get axed so he could get his job.....can't really remember the details(but he did get axed for it) stone193,but i think the old saying there is more to this than meets the eye would apply here. this guy is bad news. >>
den
I know what you are saying - let's say he was a "good guy" - my point has to do with how much does an employer have to know about an individual's personal life and whether it really does impact on the hiring and retaining of employees. They hired him because he could get the job done - when it comes to winning, they'ld hire Hannibal if he were effective. Granted, this is the kind of guy who will only be tolerated as long as he is winning - loose canon and all that. I think Larry Bowa probably fits in this case.
mike
<< <i>
my point has to do with how much does an employer have to know about an individual's personal life and whether it really does impact on the hiring and retaining of employees. >>
When it comes to a matter of public record, I don't think they would have let him go if it had just been a couple of minor things. There may have been a great deal more involved that wasn't released. It's unlikely a team owner would be so petty as to fire someone without due cause, what with the incredible amount of fiscal liability it opens them to.
<< <i>
<< <i>
my point has to do with how much does an employer have to know about an individual's personal life and whether it really does impact on the hiring and retaining of employees. >>
When it comes to a matter of public record, I don't think they would have let him go if it had just been a couple of minor things. There may have been a great deal more involved that wasn't released. It's unlikely a team owner would be so petty as to fire someone without due cause, what with the incredible amount of fiscal liability it opens them to. >>
Ax
He had been working his way up the organization and was twice manager of the year in the minors I believe.
I think the outside "self righteous" media pressure had a lot to do with this axe job - PC running rampant.
Obviously, if he had a problem with alcohol, it didn't affect his performance.
The organization took the ez way out - I don't blame them for that - I think if this came out after he had won them a WS, they would be "spinning" their asses off to make it work.
Chris
Backman came up in 1980 - I really don't know if he has an 80 or 81T as his RC or FTC.
Keep in mind, I'm not trying to get into a major thing over this - I was just wondering how many people think the media - with some of the most weasily characters on the face of the earth - may have played an unfair role in making sure someone's career was trashed. I have felt this before and truthfully - I'm very suspicious of media types. There's a thin line between reporting and "making" news.
I apologize for this sounding like a soap box stand.
mike
Mike
sports talk board there is a certain few that make everything major! LOL
If ozzie gullien can get away with the trash mouth he has been showing?? why not give backman a shot. as far as the DUI im sure more then 15% of players managers etc.. has had one.
and of course it was ok for Bobby Cox to come home drunk and slap his wife around and he is still loved.
IMO backman got dealt a real bad hand.
I think the Diamondbacks knew. But Joe Garagiola JR, General Manager, did not know how to handle it properly....so he went with the media and shoitcanned Backman. He could have handled it differently, but did not. Now they claim a lack of "due dilligence" on the part of the Diamonbacks on this. BS...they knew. Media rules.
<< <i>Media rules. >>
Harry
This is true - and I for one am not happy about his treatment. That report came out of the NY times, I believe and there's no good reason to dig it up other than to trash a guys career.
The participating owner of the DBs felt that Backman was in denial and not honest about his background stuff, even after being confronted with it. I think, at that point, the owner didn't like Backman and didn't want to do business with him.
But, he was already am employee of theirs - managed one of the teams to a championship - ya mean no one cares about ones past in the AAA minors? Hardly - same game, same ball, same 90 ft. to first - they got dealt a curve and didn't know how to handle it and neither did Backman.
Like I said, I don't care for the guy - but I really don't care for the way the media trashed the guy either.
I have grown to distrust the media and their reporting - perhaps the rich baseball players should pool some that money they make and hire PI's to go around and trail these reporters and look into their past and then paste that crap all over the internet and buy space on a national paper willing to trash these guys - live by the sword - die by the sword.
mike
seems to me backman should get another shot!
<< <i>well why did no one answer me?? why is it ok for bobby cox to come home drunk slap his wife around and its over now? >>
Because he can also slap around the Mets
Brian