As the 2016 season ran its course, Wally Backman understood his time with the Mets was coming to an end.
The second baseman on the 1986 World Series champion says he was not fired but resigned from his post as manager of the Las Vegas 51's, the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, due to a lack of respect and recognition.
"I left on my own," Backman told WFAN on Tuesday. "I just felt that my time there, it didn't look like there was any future."
Backman was upset with reports that he clashed with management over the handling of top prospects such as Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo. Sources told Newsday's Marc Carig that Backman "was always doing his own thing" in Las Vegas and described a pattern of defiance with Backman.
"Where it came from, I have no idea," Backman said.
Backman cited Conforto's stats in Las Vegas to prove his case.
"Conforto I had for 33 games, he started 31 of those games. One of the games he didn't start was a game he was sent down and didn't get there until the fourth inning. He pinch hit in those two games. They said I didn't use him against left-handed pitching; he was 20-for-41 against left-handed pitching, hit .488 and had three home runs.
"Whoever put that out there, the source within the system, they lied, and that's the part that (ticks) me off because I did nothing except try to help these guys."
He also had the numbers to support his case regarding Nimmo, who he says hit first or second 84 times in more than 90 games.
"I did what I was told," Backman said.
Backman was also upset about a lack of recognition for his part in a few key moves in 2016. He said he was the one who recommended the organization acquire first baseman James Loney early in the season to replace an injured Lucas Duda, as well as recognizing catcher Rene Rivera as a good fit and working with Jose Reyes in the minors.
"The respect was an issue," Backman said. "I've done everything I could for the organization."
Backman also said he inquired about the Mets' bench coach job this past offseason, but it was just the latest time he was passed over for a position in the majors.
"I had talked about wanting to be the bench coach and that didn't happen," Backman said. "There was no reason why, they just went the other direction with Dick Scott."
Backman expressed some disappointment in leaving the team that signed him as a 17-year-old. When he rejoined the organization, Backman said there was talk of an opportunity at the major-league level, but it never came. Still he cited owner Fred Wilpon as a "second father figure" and agreed that being the Mets' manager was his dream.
"My heart will always be in New York," Backman said.
With his Mets ties severed, Backman said he will begin reaching out to other organizations about opportunities with a major-league club next season, preferably as a manager or bench coach.
"My goal's the same: to be in the major leagues. I don't want to be a coach, I want to manage," Backman said. "By resigning, it gives me a chance to pursue opportunities now."
