I spent two years in Birmingham, Alabama covering sports at WJOX radio.  While the two wackiest characters I worked with were my show partners, Sonny Smith and Wimp Sanderson, the third would be then Birmingham Barons manager Wally Backman.

Take one part Jim Leyland, mix it with one part Ozzie Guillen and blend in a little Tony the Useless and maybe a pinch of Davey Johnson and you have Wally Backman.  And he did a great job in Birmingham too.

When the Sox finally showed Jerry Manuel the door in 2003, I was really hoping that the Sox would sign Wally as his replacement.  I think that much of the guy as a manager.  The Sox went with Ozzie, which worked out fine, but I really thought Wally would have been a good pick too.

When Arizona announced that Wally was going to be their manager in 2004, I was thrilled because I was looking forward to seeing what he could do at the major league level.  Unfortunately, Wally's personal demons caught up with him and he wound up in the annals of history like Mike Price at Alabama, hired and fired before he even coached/managed a game.  I felt bad because Wally is a great character and baseball would be poorer without him.

He's been managing in the independent leagues for the last few years and finally was given the opportunity to manage a Mets farm club.  I'm keeping my eye on the Brooklyn Cyclones this year to see what effect Wally has on them.  I'm sure it will be a good one.

Sure, Wally has baggage, but all of us do.  Many people have overcome it to move on to the dreams they aspire too.  For Wally Backman, the dream to manage in the bigs is back on track.  Go get 'em #6!