DOUBLE TEAM: BACKMAN, BOBBY V TANDEM WOULD SUIT WALLY JUST FINE
Wally Backman was one of the most passionate players in Mets history. The Mets are as lifeless as an Internet stock. Backman manages the White Sox’ Double-A team, the Birmingham Barons, who entered the weekend tied for first and miles ahead of everyone in stolen bases.
Backman loves New York. Backman badly wants to manage in the big leagues. In this case, though, two plus two doesn’t equal four. Wally is not gunning for Bobby Valentine’s job. The two men would make a successful tandem one day, either in New York or elsewhere.
“Bobby was one of my coaches and I have the utmost respect for him,” Backman tells The Insiders, who have been touting Wally’s managing abilities all year. “He’s always been a class act to me and everybody who has played for him. He’s got to be pulling his hair out right now. As much as I want a big-league managing job, I don’t want Bobby’s job.”
Valentine was the Mets’ third-base coach when Backman played second base. Asked if he would accept a position on Valentine’s coaching staff, if asked, Wally didn’t hesitate.
“I’d go with Bobby in a heartbeat,” Backman says.
In such an arrangement, Valentine could groom Backman as his managerial successor and eventually move into the general manager’s office, where his eye for talent would make him a success. The Bobby & Wally Show would be a hit in New York or anywhere else.
THIS IS MIKE, YOU’RE ON THE AIR
Mike Piazza could envision himself as a radio talk show host, though not necessarily of a sports show. Piazza has strong political viewpoints, many on the conservative side. He wouldn’t bill himself as that, though.
“I don’t like labels,” Piazza tells us. “I like debates. Anybody who can give you a good debate, I like talking to. I’ve been swayed by so-called liberals on certain issues after hearing a good debate. I could definitely see myself having a radio talk show after my career is over. Not now, though. Not while I’m playing.”
Why not? Considering the Mets’ plight, Piazza might want to clear the air on the team’s current mess. That would make for some good radio.
HAMPTONS HEAVYWEIGHT
Former Fleetwood Mac promoter Cedric Kushner is bringing boxing to the bluebloods in the Hamptons. On Saturday, the “Summer Punch” charity spectacular will take place under a tent at 1000 Montauk Parkway and will be televised to 50 countries as part of Kushner’s popular Heavyweight Explosion series.
“I’ve been wanting to do a boxing show in the Hamptons all along,” says Kushner, “but a boxing show alone wouldn’t cut it. We’ll have the fancy people sitting ringside, entertainment and fashion shows. It will all take place in a huge tent, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served, and all for great charities. It will be a Hamptons event.”
The main event features Al “Ice” Cole (32-10-2, 16 KOs) vs. Oleg Maskaev (22-6, 17 KOs), a couple of bombers. The charities to benefit include Naked Angels, which has a membership that includes Matt Dillon, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Marisa Tomei and Gina Gershon, many of whom are expected to attend. What? No Stevie Nicks flying in from LA. Chart-topping artists Eve and Outcast will be among the big names scheduled. Roca Wear and Outcast Clothing Co. will present their fashion lines. For 411, call (631) 726-2700.
There’s another boxing alternative with a twist Friday night: Boxing impresario’s Tommy Gallagher and Lou DiBella will present “Black Tie Boxing” at Cipriani’s on 42nd Street. Olympic star Brian Viloria and a bevy of New York fighters – including Paulie Malignaggi from Brooklyn, Israeli Yuri Foreman and Jeffrey Resto of The Bronx – will headline. For $200 you get a full-course dinner from the great Cipriani chef and the Friday Night Fights.
TOUGH TIMES
One year ago President George W. Bush showed up at the Little League World Series. Then came Sept. 11 and the world changed. Little League president Stephen Keener recently was at White House for one of the Tee-ball events on the South Lawn and had the chance to speak with the former Little Leaguer out of Midland, Tex. The President fondly recalled his Williamsport visit, sadly telling Keener, “That was the last time we really had any fun.”
SEEING STARS
Who better to ask this week than Little Leaguers. Four stars of the Curacao team: Dennis Neuman, Rudney Balentien, Rodien Genaro and Steve Van Delden made their choices for the celebrities they would most like to meet and, not surprising, all selections were sports related. Neuman picked Greg Maddux, Balentien selected Allen Iverson, Genaro tabbed Michael Jordan and Van Delden went with Alex Rodriguez. Why Maddux? “We get about 80 Braves games a year,” Neuman explains.
That’s not all, they also get ESPN, WGN and FOX. Oh yes, they get YES, too. That should really make Cablevision subscribers happy. If you want to watch the Yankees, move to Curacao. Neuman, an outfielder and pitcher, also weighed in on the possibility of a baseball strike. “If I could play in the major leagues for free,” he says, “I’d do it.”
Dennis, expect a call Friday.