For the Where is Wally Backman Now page:
Manager, Former JetHawks Honored by Baseball America
(LANCASTER, CA) – Lancaster JetHawks manager Wally Backman, along with four former JetHawks, were selected to the 2004 Baseball America High Class A Best Tools list for the California League, released today by the baseball publication.
(recent picture of WB found on http://www.jethawks.com/)
Still has a stache, well done Backman!
Is there any lefty in the game used less than Wally Backman? Even some people keep Spike Owen in, does anyone play with Backgammon?
An excellent question. I'd say no.
There is a temptation in curve, at least in the OH circle that sometimes requires a Backman-type player to play...and that is this:
When Backman/Owen/Santana/Randolph/etc. comes to the plate, the pitcher will offer an "A-ball" (straight pitch, no heat, right down the middle of the plate--only hit A button) if the hitting team agrees to allow the player to stay in the line up (for that at bat, at least)...
...it's often offered, sometimes accepted, and RARELY rewarded.
I'm not sure I've ever left Wally Backman in for a single at-bat. Even when I was about 8 and I first started playing I saw that pitiful homerun total, called him a sack of crap, and brought in Timmy Teuful.
I ALWAYS leave Backman in...he's always hit for average. No real power, but I can consistently get a double out of him.
One more thing...I rarely play as the Mets since they suck donkey balls.