The Arizona Diamondbacks named Wally Backman as their new manager today. Backman was named Manager of the Year in 2004 while managing the D'backs Class A affiliate in the California League. Backman's contract was reportedly for two years with two team options. This is the first major league managerial job for Backman who has seven years of minor league experience.

Backman played for 14 major league seasons, most notably with the New York Mets organization. He was the starting second baseman on the 1986 Mets world championship team and was known for his aggressive, all-out style of play.

'My style I try to bring to the table is basically the same way that I played,' Backman said at his news conference. 'I played for some great managers. There's a piece of me in a lot of different people that I've been surrounded by over my career. It's an aggressive style, an educated style. We will run. We will hit and run.'

Backman will have his work cut out for him. After trading Curt Schilling to Boston, the Diamondbacks had the worst record in franchise history, winning only 51 games while losing 111.
Superstar pitcher Randy Johnson is still on the Arizona roster, but the D'Backs have tried to trade the high priced veteran to no avail. Johnson had no comment with regard to Backman's hiring and his future with the team is uncertain.

'This is not a rebuilding program,' Backman reiterated this afternoon. 'I am here to win.' How soon he can fulfill that promise remains to be seen but a new era in Diamondbacks history has begun.