SL1 Birmingham Barons

Wally Backman lands in Lancaster

Published on January 28, 2004 under Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release


BIRMINGHAM, AL – Five days following the resignation of new manager Eddie Rodriguez, the Arizona Diamondbacks have announced today that Wally Backman will skipper the Lancaster JetHawks, the Diamondbacks Single-A, California League affiliate, for the 2004 season. Rodriguez recently accepted a position with the Montreal Expos as their new bench coach to open up the spot for Backman.

Backman lands in Lancaster after three seasons as a manager in the Chicago White Sox organization, the last two with the Class AA Birmingham Barons. In his two seasons with Birmingham, his clubs posted a 152 - 125 (.548) overall record and made the Southern League playoffs each season. In 2002, the Barons captured the Southern League championship and Backman was named the manager of the year as well as the league's Baseball America top managerial prospect.

The Oregon resident began his managerial career in the independent ranks, capturing a league championship in the Western League while with Tri-City in 2000. In four seasons, Backman guided three different independent clubs before joining the White Sox organization.

A former first round draft pick of the New York Mets and a member of that club's 1986 World Series Championship team, the 44-year-old played with a total of five organizations during his career before retiring in 1993. He hit .275 with 240 RBI in 1,102 career games at the big league level. In addition to the World Series title in 1986, Backman saw action in two other postseasons, 1988 with New York and 1990 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Check out the Birmingham Barons Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from January 28, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central