BACKMAN `CONFIDENT' ABOUT DIAMONDBACKS.Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer Less than a month from leading the JetHawks to their first California League The California League is a minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth championship appearance in franchise history, former Lancaster manager Wally Backman Backman joins roughly a half-dozen candidates including former Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs star Mark Grace and recently fired Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Mariners have played in Safeco Field. manager Bob Melvin Robert Paul Melvin (born October 28, 1961, in Palo Alto, California) is a former Major League Baseball catcher and the current manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Baseball career , who either have or will interview for the position. Backman will meet with several high-level Diamondbacks executives including general manager Joe Garagiola Joseph Henry Garagiola, Sr. (born February 12, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri) is an American former catcher in Major League Baseball who later became an announcer and television host, popular for his colorful personality. Jr., vice president and senior assistant general manager Sandy Johnson
Sandy Johnson (born July 7, 1954 in San Antonio, Texas) is an American model and actress. She was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for the June 1974 issue. and assistant general manager Bob Miller. Backman, who led the JetHawks to first- and second-half titles and was named this year's Sporting News minor-league manager of the year, believes he's a strong candidate. ``I'm confident because I know who the real prospects coming through that system are because I've had them,'' Backman said via cell phone Tuesday. Backman has been through the interview process before. He was a finalist last season for the Chicago White Sox's managerial position, and his name has surfaced in connection with several openings including the New York Mets
``I'm in there to win this job,'' he said. ``I have to prove to them that I'm capable of doing the job that needs to be done.'' Backman will be the fourth candidate to officially interview for the position. In addition to Melvin and Grace, interim Diamondbacks manager Al Pedrique Alfredo José Pedrique García (born August 11, 1960 in Aragua State, Venezuela), best know as "Al Pedrique" (pay-DREE-kay), is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and right-handed batter who played for the New York Mets (1987), Pittsburgh Pirates (1987, 88) and Detroit and Montreal Expos The Montreal Expos (French: Les Expos de Montréal) were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from 1969 until 2004. After the 2004 season, the franchise relocated to Washington, D.C. and became the Washington Nationals. third-base coach Manny Acta already have interviewed with Arizona's front office. Garagiola told the Associated Press interviews are scheduled for two other candidates. Jamie Quirk, bench coach of the Colorado Rockies, will interview Thursday. The Diamondbacks also have permission to speak with Texas Rangers first base coach DeMarlo Hale and Angels bench coach Joe Maddon.``I'm hopeful that by the end of the week we will feel we've got a group that we can make some recommendations to ownership on,'' Garagiola said. Melvin served as Arizona manager Bob Brenly's bench coach in 2000 and in the World Series championship season of 2001 before replacing Lou Piniella as manager of the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners went 93-69 in 2002, but faded to 63-99 this year, and Melvin was fired the day after the season ended. Grace, who retired as a player after the 2003 season and was a television analyst for Arizona games this year, repeatedly has expressed his desire to manage in the major leagues. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Gideon Rubin, (818) 713-3607 gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: WALLY BACKMAN Former JetHawks manager's name has been mentioned in connection with a number of major-league openings. |
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