DBAHO Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Interstin article to read, from da Trib. A year ago, some viewed Wally Backman as the favorite to become the next manager of the White Sox. Backman, however, won't even return to manage Double-A Birmingham, a team he guided to a 152-125 record and a Southern League title in his two years. "I've gone from being a hot commodity to not even having a job," Backman told the Tribune on Thursday. "It's frustrating." Backman's departure was expected, however, after a report surfaced in October alleging he had been overly ambitious in his pursuit of the Sox's managerial job. The report in USA Today's Sports Weekly alleged Backman had called Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, a former teammate with the Mets, and told him before a crucial series with the Sox to "kick their [butts] so I can get [Jerry] Manuel's job." The story surfaced a day before Backman flew to Chicago to interview with Sox general manager Ken Williams for the team's managerial vacancy. "I told Kenny that if he believed anything that was written, he should fire me on the spot," Backman said. "I discussed it in detail and I believe Kenny believed what I told him." Responding to the report, Backman said: "I didn't say it at all. Gardy would be the first to admit I never said it. I called to congratulate him on wining the division. That was the extent of the whole conversation. "Gardy wanted to make a public statement to that effect, and I said no. Now that I've been put on a piece of ice out here, maybe I should have let him." Williams said Thursday he was "satisfied" with Backman's explanation of the circumstances, and that it was not the reason he was denied a chance to return to Birmingham. "There were other things I'd rather not get into that the minor-league personnel had issues with," Williams said. Backman's response: "What, that I got thrown out of too many baseball games? That I stuck up for my players too much? "It's a cop-out, an absolute cop-out. They wanted to open a job for somebody else, that's the bottom line. I still respect some people there. But my respect level for some in the organization has dropped dramatically. "You find out how big a political world it is. It's not [about] baseball. Do they want the best coaches and teachers? To me, if I was running an organization, that's what I would want. But it's their decision, and I can live with it and they'll live with it." Williams said former farm director Bob Fontaine originally decided against having Backman return. After Fontaine joined the Mariners' front office in December, his replacement, Dave Wilder, agreed with the decision, according to Williams. "That's not true," Backman said. "About Bobby, that's not true. And that Dave Wilder [item] is not true. I know people in the game, too, and people in the [sox] organization gave me the heads-up. I think [the decision] came down to somebody up top [in the organization]." What surprised Backman the most, however, was his assertion that he never received an official phone call from the Sox informing him that he had lost his job. "To not be called is, by anybody's [estimation], unprofessional," he said. "I heard it through the grapevine." Backman remains convinced the Gardenhire item had a "huge effect" on his inability to land a job. "It doesn't mean I would have gotten the [sox] job, but other organizations saw it," he said. "Now it's so late in the year [to get hired]. A lot of other organizations didn't even know I was available." Backman will be replaced by Razor Shines, who last season led Class A Winston-Salem to the Carolina League championship. He will be joined by pitching coach Juan Nieves and hitting coach Manny Trillo, who had two stints as an infielder with the Cubs. Dale Torborg, son of former Sox manager Jeff Torborg, joins the organization as conditioning coordinator. It's official: Shingo Takatsu, Japan's all-time saves leader, passed his physical Thursday and signed with the White Sox. He will be introduced to the media Friday. Takatsu is guaranteed $1 million—$750,000 in 2004 with a club option for $2.5 million in 2005 or a $250,000 buyout. The 35-year-old right-hander, who has a career 3.13 ERA, could compete with Billy Koch for the closer's role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 So what's new? ANother person leaves the Sox organization feeling that they were treated less than fairly and less than professionally. It seems I've heard this tune before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I think everyone knew that Wally was on the way out after this incident, right? Why is he so shocked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I think everyone knew that Wally was on the way out after this incident, right? Why is he so shocked? Why is he pretending to be shocked so he could find another job? Wow, I hope the change in AA Manager doesn't keep us out of the WS this year. When was the last time someone left any team, not of their own choice and had nice things to say? I do not think this is a White Sox issue. I hear the same thing about the Rangers and Astros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I think everyone knew that Wally was on the way out after this incident, right? Why is he so shocked? have no idea why he is shocked or why anyone else is either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Wow, I hope the change in AA Manager doesn't keep us out of the WS this year. well, now because you said that, it will!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
israel4ever Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Unfortunately, I think Backman would have been a MUCH better manager than Ozzie will! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 another day, another blast at Sox management and we haven't even gotten to the Ozzie/Frank lovefest that will dominate spring training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I couldn't find this in the Trib online...... got a link?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I couldn't find this in the Trib online...... got a link?? You do have be registered though... Wally Backman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 here is the link: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines this all goes back to the Bob Nightengale column in USA Today Sports Weekly. Wonder if this can be traced to A) Gardenhire; B) a Twins coach or C) fabrication. Whatever the explanation, Backman has certainly suffered from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Unfortunately, I think Backman would have been a MUCH better manager than Ozzie will! agreed but both shoot off their mouths, Wally choose the wrong time and place - had he waited just a few weeks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Shouldn't Wally realize that if baseball is political (and it is) that he should shut the hell up? Lashing out at your old boss in an old boys network like baseball isn't the best way to get other bosses to go to bat for you. Wally was great for the Barons and he is one hell of a manager, but sometimes he should choose his words a little more carefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Shouldn't Wally realize that if baseball is political (and it is) that he should shut the hell up? Lashing out at your old boss in an old boys network like baseball isn't the best way to get other bosses to go to bat for you. Wally was great for the Barons and he is one hell of a manager, but sometimes he should choose his words a little more carefully. Instead we hired Ozzie.. Who can't keep his... nevermind. I won't go there again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Instead we hired Ozzie.. Who can't keep his... nevermind. I won't go there again Sad thing is, I don't think Wally's mouth would get him in trouble with the players. KW might not like everything he says, but the players loved playing for Wally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsideirish Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 He did an inexcusable thing. Even if he did make a phone call to congratulate his freind Gardenhire, couldn't this have waited until the playoffs began? Did he have to make the phone call right then? I mean Gardenhire is the enemy of the organization. That is like Ditka calling Mike Sherman and congratulating him. Even if they are friends, you just don't do that right then. To me Backman is a complete moron for what he did. I honestly do believe he said what was reported. Not just to congratulate a friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggio202 Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Sad thing is, I don't think Wally's mouth would get him in trouble with the players. KW might not like everything he says, but the players loved playing for Wally. and we wonder why this franchise sucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Sad thing is, I don't think Wally's mouth would get him in trouble with the players. KW might not like everything he says, but the players loved playing for Wally. I agree with you. I was on the Ozzie was a mistake bandwagon, as soon as I heard his hiring press confrence. Backman's teams always win. They always overachieve. I wouldn't have minded giving him a try here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 He did an inexcusable thing. Even if he did make a phone call to congratulate his freind Gardenhire, couldn't this have waited until the playoffs began? Did he have to make the phone call right then? I mean Gardenhire is the enemy of the organization. That is like Ditka calling Mike Sherman and congratulating him. Even if they are friends, you just don't do that right then. To me Backman is a complete moron for what he did. I honestly do believe he said what was reported. Not just to congratulate a friend. That's a bunch of crap..... baseball is a network and guys talk to their buddies all the time, whether playoff races are involved or not. So waiting until after the playoffs began is not even an issue. Guys also say stuff all the time that if were printed it would look really bad, but in reality it is just a bunch of talk between boys. Wally knew there was no guarantee he would get the Sox job if Manuel was fired, so it would be stupid of him to seriously campaign for the Sox to lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsideirish Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 That's a bunch of crap..... baseball is a network and guys talk to their buddies all the time, whether playoff races are involved or not. So waiting until after the playoffs began is not even an issue. Guys also say stuff all the time that if were printed it would look really bad, but in reality it is just a bunch of talk between boys. Wally knew there was no guarantee he would get the Sox job if Manuel was fired, so it would be stupid of him to seriously campaign for the Sox to lose. He can talk to him. It was jut the wrong time to talk to him.I believe it does matter. How would you take it if Mike Ditka called Sherman to congratulate him after the Pack clinched the playoffs if they were friends? I think he would be ripped for doing that just as Backman is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 He can talk to him. It was jut the wrong time to talk to him.I believe it does matter. How would you take it if Mike Ditka called Sherman to congratulate him after the Pack clinched the playoffs if they were friends? I think he would be ripped for doing that just as Backman is. I wasn't aware Ditka still coached and/or worked for the Bears... This issue too petty to be fired over, I believe there is more to this story that we will ever hear... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsideirish Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I wasn't aware Ditka still coached and/or worked for the Bears... This issue too petty to be fired over, I believe there is more to this story that we will ever hear... So you are saying if Ditka did that you would have no problem with it? I honestly believe he would get ripped for it. He is an icon in this town. He does a local radio show about the Bears. He is a Bear through and through. I think most people would have a big problem with that. It has nothing to do with working or coaching for the Bears. It was an example. An example I believe most would not like. You are right and I stated that I believe there is more to this. I believe he was fired over that rumor. I believe that rumor to be true. Just my opinion. Mr. Moderator thinks that is a bunch of crap, but who knows. Honestly no one will probably ever know. Why would a Twins player say that happened if it never happened? Oh well, to each their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 He can talk to him. It was jut the wrong time to talk to him.I believe it does matter. How would you take it if Mike Ditka called Sherman to congratulate him after the Pack clinched the playoffs if they were friends? I think he would be ripped for doing that just as Backman is. Who the hell cares if Ditka called to congratulate Sherman? Coaches shake each other's hand after a game and the loser usually congratulates the winner. After the World Series they always interview the losing manager and he congratulates the winning team. The point is, friends in an industry, yes even those that compete against each other routinely stay in touch and congratulate each other. That's what friends do! The catch is, 99% of the time, no one knows it happens because some reporter doesn't write about a guy's personal phone calls in the newspaper. Did I not strike you funny that the guy quoted NO ONE directly and NO OTHER media source reported the story? If Ditka calls Sherman or whatever example you want to use, it is personal business, not anyone else's. Phone calls between friends are not usually news and they happen every day in sports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsideirish Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Who the hell cares if Ditka called to congratulate Sherman? Coaches shake each other's hand after a game and the loser usually congratulates the winner. After the World Series they always interview the losing manager and he congratulates the winning team. The point is, friends in an industry, yes even those that compete against each other routinely stay in touch and congratulate each other. That's what friends do! The catch is, 99% of the time, no one knows it happens because some reporter doesn't write about a guy's personal phone calls in the newspaper. Did I not strike you funny that the guy quoted NO ONE directly and NO OTHER media source reported the story? If Ditka calls Sherman or whatever example you want to use, it is personal business, not anyone else's. Phone calls between friends are not usually news and they happen every day in sports. Ok if thats the way you feel fine. Personally I would be offended and pissed off that the coach of my team was congratulating the most hated team I can think of. To each their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Rex.. don't argue with that one. The next thing you know there will be a rumor about your "spare tire"!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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