Wally Backman's Brooklyn Impact

The hire of Wally Backman as the Brooklyn Cyclone's manager is already paying off. The Cyclones are in the playoffs.

Backman's Cyclones won the McNamara division and have the best record in the league.

Sunday's Record has an article by Steve Popper about the Mets needing to decide what to do with Backman and he clearly has eyes for the big league level.

Wally Backman's Brooklyn Debut

Wally Backman returns to the managerial bench tonight with a major league affiliated club. The Brooklyn Cyclones (Backman's new team) take on the Staten Island Yankees.

I'm a big fan of Wally Backman. I think everyone needs another chance and Backman's passion for the game is rarely matched. I have a game-used bat from Wally and the ticket stub from his first game in a Mets uniform. 

The Wall Street Journal has a great article today about Backman's return.

Of course there is this ejection too (warning... language is not suitable for little ears).

Johnson Covered in Teflon

I am relieved to see that Howard Johnson survived another dreadful Mets season and will be back in 2010. HoJo completed his second full season the Mets hitting coach.

I really thought HoJo was going to be on the hot seat, but unless he receives a full-time MLB managing gig this off-season, he will be returning to the Mets' hitting cage.

After reviewing the numbers, the Mets did surprisingly well offensively considering all of the injuries to three of their big hitters (Reyes, Beltran, Delgado).

In 2009, the Mets were 2nd in the National League in batting average with a .270 average (5th in MLB). The Mets OBP was 6th in the NL, but their OPS was 11th in the N.L.

In 2008, the Mets BA, OBP, and OPS were all 4th in the National League.

For the 2007 numbers, I only reviewed the stats after the all-star break since HoJo replaced Rick Down as hitting instructor in July. Since the break, the Mets finished 1st in the NL in batting average, 3rd in OBP, and 4th in OPS.

Forget the teflon - HoJo is a hitting coach genius!

One of my other favorite Mets, Wally Backman appears headed back to the organization (finally). A report in SI.com states that Backman will receive a minor league gig with the team! I know I'm being selfish here, but I hope it's with Buffalo - it would be great to see him come to Columbus when the Mets AAA team plays the Clippers.

Keeping HoJo and hiring Wally fulfills two off-season goals the Mets must have if they want to compete next year:
1 - Hire as many 1986 Mets as you can
2 - Get more 'staches on the Mets!