southsider2k5 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 I wonder if that Gardenhire quote is true or not, and if the Sox really care. The White Sox's minor-league system has produced recent standouts such as Mark Buehrle, Joe Crede and Carlos Lee. So why couldn't it produce a major-league quality manager? Sources say the Sox are examining at least two in-house candidates in their quest to replace Jerry Manuel. Double-A Birmingham manager Wally Backman is expected to interview with the team Thursday in Chicago. He's considered something of a long shot for the job because he never has managed in the big leagues. But that could change if the 44-year-old Backman, a fiery type who has been lauded for his motivational skills, wows Sox brass in his interview. There are also strong indications Nick Leyva will be considered for the job. The 50-year-old Leyva brings a diverse and impressive résumé to the table. At 35, he was named manager of the Phillies. His stint lasted just longer than two seasons as his teams went 148-189 (.439) and he clashed with general manager Lee Thomas, who deemed him too tough on his players and too honest with the media. From 1993-97, Leyva served as Toronto's third-base coach under Cito Gaston, who's also a candidate to replace Manuel. Leyva joined the Sox organization in 2000, managing Triple-A Charlotte for two seasons before asking to switch to Class A ball. Leyva guided Advanced Rookie Bristol to a league championship in 2002 before serving as the organization's minor-league infield instructor last season. Leyva also has had great success managing winter-league teams. He guided Mayaguez to the 2002 Puerto Rican Winter League title a year after capturing the Venezuelan Winter League title for Lara Cardenales. As for Backman, he put himself on the coaching map after guiding Birmingham to a 79-61 record in 2002. The scrappy, aggressive Barons took their cue from Backman, whom Baseball America named the best managerial prospect in the Double-A Southern League. His 2002 team finished eighth in the Southern League in home runs but third in runs scored. "There are tons of ways to score runs," Backman said in early October. "Home runs are nice to have, but you have to manufacture runs. I expect my team to have energy on the field and force the opponents to make mistakes." Backman, who hit .275 during a 14-year playing career and helped the Mets to a World Series title in 1986, turned down chances to join major-league coaching staffs after last season. He hopes to follow the models set by Ron Gardenhire, Mike Scioscia and Eric Wedge, all of whom jumped from minor-league managing gigs to the top spot in their organizations. Meanwhile, the Sox purchased the minor-league contracts of first baseman Ross Gload and right-handed pitcher Enemencio Pacheco. Gload, a former Cub, hit .315 with 18 homers and 70 RBIs for Triple-A Charlotte. Pacheco, 25, went 12-2 with a 2.56 ERA at Double-A Birmingham. Their 40-man roster now stands at 39. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 It was reported in the Southtown today, that the interview has been scratched, due to the alledged actions by Wally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossarian Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 If the allegations are true I wonder if he'll ever get an interview with any team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 16, 2003 Author Share Posted October 16, 2003 It was reported in the Southtown today, that the interview has been scratched, due to the alledged actions by Wally. Ah, now that makes a little better sense... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 It was reported in the Southtown today, that the interview has been scratched, due to the alledged actions by Wally. He's done with this organization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 In case anyone missed it, here's the link to the southtown article mentioned in this thread. http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/ds.../pro/162sd3.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 I wonder why Bullard, Rex Hudler and Cotts have to say about their boy Wally now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 It was reported in the Southtown today, that the interview has been scratched, due to the alledged actions by Wally. link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 16, 2003 Author Share Posted October 16, 2003 link? See two posts above yours... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 See two posts above yours... Aaaaaa...I found it on my own anyway. Ain't I smart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 16, 2003 Author Share Posted October 16, 2003 Aaaaaa...I found it on my own anyway. Ain't I smart? S-M-R-T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 S-M-R-T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Backman to get an interview....at the unemployment office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 More info on Backman mouthing off: ''I can speak vehemently of that article that whatever source they had was inaccurate,'' said Alan Nero, Backman's agent. ''I can tell you Wally has never wished that the Sox not succeed. He is in the organization and has coached and managed players with the White Sox. That is insane.'' The report cited two unnamed Twins coaches as sources. Nero could not deny that a comment along those lines might have been made in jest, but he said it would have been careless to take something like that as Backman's true feelings. See ya Wally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 17, 2003 Author Share Posted October 17, 2003 More info on Backman mouthing off: ''I can speak vehemently of that article that whatever source they had was inaccurate,'' said Alan Nero, Backman's agent. ''I can tell you Wally has never wished that the Sox not succeed. He is in the organization and has coached and managed players with the White Sox. That is insane.'' The report cited two unnamed Twins coaches as sources. Nero could not deny that a comment along those lines might have been made in jest, but he said it would have been careless to take something like that as Backman's true feelings. See ya Wally. Maybe Wally should consider a new agent, as well as a new personality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo Paz Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 I wouldn't be that quick to toss Backman in the trash because of these RUMORS. I could easily imagine a situation where Backman called his old buddy and someone jokingly said "he's probably calling to encourage us so he can get the Sox job" and some media dimwit prints it as the truth. Much of what we read in the newspapers is bulls***, rumor, or inuendo. Ever been to a game and then read about it in the paper next day in a story filled with mistakes? I have lots of times. I don't know much about Backman's qualifications to manage in the majors, but I'd hate to see his carreer destroyed by a story that has even odds of being complete bulls***. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxfest Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 He has no chance , just a thank you interview he interviewed yesterday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 I am sure those phone calls came up in the interview.... a smart person in that situation would know NOT to call an old friend in the weeks prior to anything that could be interpreted as interferance - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 How do you know he and Gardenhire don't talk weekly? Would you expect him to stop calling just because the Twins and Sox are fighting it out in a pennant race? We don't know what really happened, so why assume we do? Or that he was not "smart"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 If they hire Benedict Arnold, as many Sox players have said, THERE WILL BE mutiny.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 Benedict Arnold?? Give me a break...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 Benedict Arnold?? Give me a break...... What do you consider telling the Twins to kick our ass Rexy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 What do you consider telling the Twins to kick our ass Rexy? I am not one to believe something I read based on unnamed sources. Wally has said the story was baseless. It makes no sense. I like to think I am smart enough not to jump to conclusions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 I like to think I am smart enough not to jump to conclusions. I'm not, burn him at the stake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastime Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 Well, if it IS true, then he will become another "Waving Wally" - he'll be waving at cars that go by hoping to hitch a ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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