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what the f is going on with the DBACKS!
D-Backs let Backman go after investigation into background
Nov. 5, 2004
By Scott Miller
Wally Backman's stint as "manager" of the Arizona Diamondbacks is finished, and Bob Melvin will take over the club for the 2005 season.
Backman was fired Friday, just four days after being announced as the club's new manager, following revelations of an arrest record that had not been revealed during his interview with the Diamondbacks.
Backman was arrested in 2001 after an altercation with a female family friend at his home in Prineville, Ore. Backman said he had agreed to plead guilty to fourth-degree assault, and he was placed on 12 months' probation and ordered to undergo an anger management evaluation. He also donated $1,000 to the local Boys and Girls Club.
Backman, it turns out, also was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence in Kennewick, Wash., in 1999 when he was the manager of the Tri-City franchise of the independent Western League. Backman said he pled guilty only after fighting the charge for two years.
This, combined with Backman's filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last year, apparently caused the Diamondbacks to re-evaluate their decision.
Arizona's management had been unaware of Backman's problems until media reports that followed his hiring. Diamondbacks officials said they failed to do a criminal or financial background check on Backman.
"It's obviously a mistake on our part to have made a decision without having done the proper background work," managing partner Ken Kendrick said. "I take full responsibility for that."
Backman, Sporting News minor league manager of the year this season, had agreed Monday to a two-year contract.
After Backman's problems were first revealed, Arizona said it would stick with him. But, after several days, the team changed its mind.
"He's very disappointed but he understands and respects our decision," Kendrick said.
Melvin, who managed the Seattle Mariners for the past three seasons, was a bench coach for former manager Bob Brenly in Arizona. Melvin was a finalist for the Diamondbacks' managerial job last week, along with Backman and Manny Acta.
Melvin announced that he would hire former Diamondbacks infielder Jay Bell to be his bench coach. Bell played for Arizona while Melvin was working under Brenly.
Nov. 5, 2004
By Scott Miller
Wally Backman's stint as "manager" of the Arizona Diamondbacks is finished, and Bob Melvin will take over the club for the 2005 season.
Backman was fired Friday, just four days after being announced as the club's new manager, following revelations of an arrest record that had not been revealed during his interview with the Diamondbacks.
Backman was arrested in 2001 after an altercation with a female family friend at his home in Prineville, Ore. Backman said he had agreed to plead guilty to fourth-degree assault, and he was placed on 12 months' probation and ordered to undergo an anger management evaluation. He also donated $1,000 to the local Boys and Girls Club.
Backman, it turns out, also was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence in Kennewick, Wash., in 1999 when he was the manager of the Tri-City franchise of the independent Western League. Backman said he pled guilty only after fighting the charge for two years.
This, combined with Backman's filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last year, apparently caused the Diamondbacks to re-evaluate their decision.
Arizona's management had been unaware of Backman's problems until media reports that followed his hiring. Diamondbacks officials said they failed to do a criminal or financial background check on Backman.
"It's obviously a mistake on our part to have made a decision without having done the proper background work," managing partner Ken Kendrick said. "I take full responsibility for that."
Backman, Sporting News minor league manager of the year this season, had agreed Monday to a two-year contract.
After Backman's problems were first revealed, Arizona said it would stick with him. But, after several days, the team changed its mind.
"He's very disappointed but he understands and respects our decision," Kendrick said.
Melvin, who managed the Seattle Mariners for the past three seasons, was a bench coach for former manager Bob Brenly in Arizona. Melvin was a finalist for the Diamondbacks' managerial job last week, along with Backman and Manny Acta.
Melvin announced that he would hire former Diamondbacks infielder Jay Bell to be his bench coach. Bell played for Arizona while Melvin was working under Brenly.