With the Twins in 1989, Wally’s back-up at 2B was, for a brief time, current Mets third-base coach Chip Hale. Hale was then a hot prospect in the Twins’ system, and was considered by some to be Backman’s heir apparent. Hale is now a candidate to replace Jerry Manuel as Mets manager on an interim basis if the latter doesn’t last the season.

As a manager in the Chisox minor league system, Wally was once fired for allegedly campaigning to replace Jerry Manuel as manager of the big club. Adam Rubin suggests that a highly-placed White Sox official fabricated the incident in order to push his own candidate to replace Manuel—current Mets first base coach Razor Shines.

After being hired then quickly fired by the D’Backs, Wally was replaced by Bob Melvin, currently in the employ of the Mets’ front office. Melvin is reportedly a candidate to replace Manuel if the latter is fired.

Backman is currently considered by many the leading contender to replace Jerry Manuel as Mets manager for 2011. If he gets the job, Manuel, Shines, and probably Hale and Melvin will lose theirs.

My what a tangled web we weave ...