JoshPR Posted November 1, 2004 Share Posted November 1, 2004 http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1913881 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danman31 Posted November 1, 2004 Share Posted November 1, 2004 Frank, you sure you don't want to leave? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Controlled Chaos Posted November 5, 2004 Share Posted November 5, 2004 NOT ANYMORE I heard Backman was Fired...I can't confirm Her'es an article relating to why Debacle further darkens tarnished team image Dan Bickley The Arizona Republic Nov. 4, 2004 12:00 AM When buying a blast furnace, a question usually leaps to mind: How hot does this thing get? The Diamondbacks never thought to ask when it came to Wally Backman. Pretty hot, in case they are still wondering. Backman has been the manager for three days, and incredibly, his résumé keeps expanding. Tuesday brought the DUI conviction, the tax liens and the domestic incident with his current wife. Wednesday brought news that his ex-wife slapped him with a restraining order on Halloween 1995, claiming a few bumps and bruises along the way. Can't wait for today's revelation. If these are all hazy memories that make a changed man shudder, this must be a trying time for Backman, a man so yearning for his return to the big leagues. On Tuesday, he said he was sorry. He also said the domestic incident involving his current wife (allegedly making threats, allegedly busting down the door) was nothing, and certainly not his fault if it were. Let's just say the police report reads a little differently, and leave it at that. Except for the sorry part. Is he, really? Or just sorry this is all finding its way into the newspaper? During their emergency team meeting on Tuesday, Backman came clean with his new bosses. He blamed the bankruptcy filing in 2003 on his ex-wife. The spat with the current wife and her friend was just an alcohol-fueled misunderstanding, and by way of proof, he showed them his weekend itinerary: He will be elk hunting with the husband of the woman that hit him with the baseball bat. So, really, how bad could it have been? As for the restraining order that resurfaced Wednesday? Backman said that, too, was bogus. Maybe none of this is his fault. Some guys always find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some guys hit into a lot of tough luck. As manager of the Bend Bandits in the Western Baseball League, Backman once was bit on the head by a brown recluse spider, and the bite almost killed him. It's also unfair to judge a man simply by tracing his footsteps in his earlier life. Backman earned all the accolades that came with his performance at Class A Lancaster last season. While the six ejections and two suspensions should have raised a few eyebrows, California League president Joe Gagliardi said Backman was merely "more aggressive than most guys we get in here." For now, the Diamondbacks are standing by their manager. But they have their own bloodhounds out. The contract hasn't been signed. If this gets any worse, the gig could be up before it got started. Or maybe it all goes away with time. Problem is, this isn't even about Backman. This is about an organization in decline and how another defining moment in Diamondbacks' history - hiring the manager that will lead them back to prominence - turned into another episode of amateur hour. How do the Diamondbacks trade Curt Schilling for damaged goods? How do they hire Backman - a manager who came with more than a few whispers - and get caught unaware? Don't job applications ask if you've been to jail? Meanwhile, if Richie Sexson and Randy Johnson decide that they want out in the coming weeks, both departures could be linked to this embarrassing episode. They can't be blamed for wondering a little bit about their new manager: Do I want to play for this guy? The perception is dark, the credibility crisis is under way and the Diamondbacks officially may touch rock bottom in the coming months. And if you're wondering, Jerry Colangelo is in his seat across the street, happily watching a basketball team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted November 5, 2004 Share Posted November 5, 2004 Haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCaucasian Posted November 5, 2004 Share Posted November 5, 2004 The Score just reported that he got fired by the D-Backs. What a dumbass. FIrst he conspires behind Manuals back, now this. World class ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted November 5, 2004 Share Posted November 5, 2004 I'm actually glad. If we were in the "Randy Johnson talks" he pretty much knew some of the good young prospects we had in the organization. That could have bold well for the D-Backs considering what they could get for RJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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