ARIZONA TO GET READY FOR WALLY-WORLD FORMER JETHAWKS MANAGER BACKMAN TAKES OVER WOEFUL D'BACKS.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

If the Arizona Diamondbacks were looking for safe, they picked the wrong man.

Their hiring of former JetHawks manager Wally Backman out of Single-A ahead of two finalists with significant major-league managerial and coaching experience to manage their big-league club is as much a risk as it is a statement.

And to hear Backman tell it, it's a statement he fully intends to back up.

``We're going to compete,'' Backman said via telephone from Phoenix on Monday shortly after a news conference in which his hiring was officially announced.

But Backman and the Diamondbacks face tough challenges. Arizona is coming off its worst season in franchise history, finishing last in the National League West with a woeful 51-111 record that was by far the worst in the majors.

But considering his track record, Backman's hiring figures to bring hope.

He managed the JetHawks Arizona's advanced Class-A affiliate in the California League to first- and second-half titles and took the team to its first league championship series appearance in franchise history, earning him Sporting News' minor-league Manager of the Year honors. He managed Chicago White Sox's Double-A affiliate in Birmingham, Ala., to a Southern League championship in 2002, and independent Tri-City (Wash.) to a Western League title in 2000.

``His minor-league managerial record speaks for itself, '' Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said in a prepared statement. ``Wally not only proved to be a terrific communicator to our young players, he is also not that far removed from his days as a player and can identify with the veteran presence we have in our clubhouse.''

Backman, 45, was selected to be Arizona's fourth manager in its six-year history and its third manager since the start of the 2004 season. He was selected ahead of former Seattle Mariners manager Bob Melvin and Montreal Expos third-base coach Manny Acta.

As a member of the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets, Backman was part of the then-infamous ``Scum Bunch,'' whose off-field escapades were fodder for the New York tabloids.

His ``take-no-prisoners'' attitude in the minors was cemented by clubhouse tirades in which tables were overturned, and persistent conflicts with umpiring crews that earned him six ejections and two suspensions.

But although a bit harsh on the edges, he's earned off-the-charts likability ratings from players.

``Every time he got ejected (this year), it was because he was trying to protect his players,'' JetHawks pitcher Ryan Holsten said.

And despite contemporary major leaguers' resistance to abrasive managers, Backman believes the respect he earns from players by ``backing them up 100 percent'' and communicating honestly will make them receptive to his managing style.

``They know I'm a players' guy,'' Backman said. ``All I expect from players is for them to come to the field and give 100 percent and expect to win. As long as players do that, I don't have a problem.''

Holsten added, ``He's going to handle them. There might not be tables turned, but I'm sure there'll be some action that's appropriate in the major-league clubhouse.''

But don't expect Wally-lite.

Although the player and umpiring gaffes that sent Backman off on some of his well-documented outbursts in Lancaster and elsewhere figure to be less pronounced at the major-league level, he's going to Bank One Ballpark with what got him there.

``There won't be nearly as many as incidents,'' Backman said. ``(Major- league umpires) know their business and they go about their business in the right way, but I'm still Wally and I'm still going to get thrown out of games.''

Gideon Rubin, [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com

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(color) WALLY BACKMAN

Former Lancaster manager won Sporting News' minor-league Manager of the Year honors last season.