Wally Backman: The Player’s Coach

Wally Backman is in his first season as manager of the Long Island Ducks in 2019. He brings 20 seasons of managerial experience across professional baseball to Long Island, having amassed a 1,127-1,077 overall record (.511 winning percentage). In that time, the Oregon native has led his teams to six Division Championships and three League Championships. Additionally, he was named the 2014 Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year after guiding the Las Vegas 51’s (AAA, Mets) to a league-best 81-63 record. 

Prior to his coaching career, Backman enjoyed a 14-year Major League playing career. Nine of those seasons (1980-88) were spent played with the New York Mets, where he helped lead the team to a World Series Championship in 1986. He also spent time in “The Show” with the Minnesota Twins (1989), Pittsburgh Pirates (1990), Philadelphia Phillies (1991-92) and Seattle Mariners (1993). The infielder compiled a .275 lifetime batting average with 240 RBIs, 482 runs scored, 893 hits, 138 doubles and 117 stolen bases in 1,102 MLB games. Backman was originally drafted in the first round (16th overall) by the Mets in the 1977 MLB Draft.