Wally Backman Returns to Mets Organization, Will Manage Las Vegas 51s

According to the Las Vegas 51s' twitter feed, and later confirmed by Mets.com beat writer Anthony DiComo, Wally Backman will return as the Mets Triple-A manager in 2013, helming the Mets new Pacific Coast League affiliate. This will be Backman's fourth year managing in the Mets player development system, having previously been the skipper for the Brooklyn Cyclones, Binghamton Mets, and Buffalo Bisons. Backman was also a finalist for the Mets managerial position in 2011, and would likely be a candidate again if the Mets elect not to offer Terry Collins a new contract after the 2013 season.

Backman has made no bones about his desire to manage in the major leagues again after being fired by the Arizona Diamondbacks after four days due to allegedly lying about his financial and legal problems. There was some scutlebutt that Backman would not return to the organization if he wasn't promoted to the major league staff, but that appears to have been unfounded. Backman has long been a fan favorite due to his 'fiery' style of leadership and his Mets pedigree as a member of the 1986 World Championship squad. He has been particularly outspoken for a minor league manager, openly lobbbying last year to have Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia on his Buffalo roster.