Guest Three minutes Report post Posted November 5, 2004 That was quick fast like Ramadan, got damn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strummer 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 ESPN.com news services Wally Backman was manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks for less than a week. The East Valley (Ariz.) Tribune reported Friday that Bob Melvin would replace Backman, who was fired after public revelations about previous legal troubles. The team scheduled a 1 p.m. ET news conference. Melvin, along with Manny Acta and Backman, were the finalists for the job. Melvin was Arizona's bench coach before he left to manage the Mariners, and Backman managed Arizona's Class A team in Lancaster, Calif., this season. A Tuesday apology by Backman apparently wasn't enough for the team, which acknowledged that it had not done a thorough background check and didn't know about the brushes with the law. Backman acknowledged that he was arrested in 2001 after an altercation with a female family friend at his home in Prineville, Ore. He said he agreed to plead guilty to fourth-degree assault. He was placed on 12 months' probation, ordered to undergo an anger management evaluation and donated $1,000 to the local Boys and Girls Club. Backman was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence in Kennewick, Wash., in 1999, when he was manager of the Tri-City franchise of the independent Western League. He said he fought the charge for two years before pleading guilty. He also has had financial problems, and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last year, The Arizona Republic reported. Backman said many of the financial problems, including several tax liens he said he has paid, were caused by dealings of his then-wife that he was unaware of. The Diamondbacks fired manager Bob Brenly on July 2 and replaced him with Al Pedrique, the former third base coach. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 He probably was a better manager then Bob Brenly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 That's horseshit. The team had better still be on the hook for his salary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 So basically he was fired because the D-backs didn't do a good job of screening him when he was hired to manage the Class A team? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 Did this guy used to play for the Pirates back in '90? He shouldn't get fired for that. If he was still playing, he'd probably get a raise... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 That's horseshit. The team had better still be on the hook for his salary. Allegedly, since they never signed a contract, they don't owe him squat. If anyone has ESPN Radio, Trey Wingo and Rashad Dibble are going off on the D-Backs right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 That's horseshit. The team had better still be on the hook for his salary. Allegedly, since they never signed a contract, they don't owe him squat. Then Wally should sue their asses off. Although, given his financial situation, he may not be able to afford it. Joe Garagiola Jr. is a slimeball pig. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Man in Blak 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 So basically he was fired because the D-backs didn't do a good job of screening him when he was hired to manage the Class A team? Sounds like it. If they don't stay on the hook for his salary or at least compensate him for their administrative incompetence, this becomes a total scumbag move on Arizona's part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 This reminds me of when Tim Johnson got fired from the Blue Jays because he lied about serving in Vietnam. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 This reminds me of when Tim Johnson got fired from the Blue Jays because he lied about serving in Vietnam. Similar, but slightly different. Johnson out and out lied. Backman was never asked about the legal problems, but he never disclosed them either. Maybe Backman's supposed to disclose this information (as he was convicted) during the initial hiring process? I don't know if that's required or not. But then again, MLB is very much an "old boys" association, and since Backman was a former player, maybe there was no need to do so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 He was in their organization prior to being "hired" for the dbacks job, so they knew about his prior legal trouble. It wasn't a problem on tuesday, but it was a problem today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerangedHermit 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2004 D-Backs fans are saying Randy Johnson refused to play under Backman...which, if true, REALLY makes D-Back management shitty Also Mark Grace will most likely be a bench coach with the D-Backs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted November 6, 2004 I do not feel sorry for Backman at all. It appears a scumbag beat his wife, lost millions from his playing career making him bankrupt, was a drunken driver and needed a restraining order to be put on him. Also, it is being reported he might have violated his five year probabtion 3 years ago, and could possibly spend a year behind bars. The D'backs are stupid, but I have no sympathy for that piece of shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted November 7, 2004 This is almost as bad as the time Notre Dame hired that guy with a fake resume Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
