Backman Jr. is his own man

A 5-9 fireball, Wally Backman created a reputation for hustle during a 14-year major-league career, and won a World Series in 1986 with the New York Mets.

Despite the difference in appearances, as the Tucson Toros third baseman, Wally Jr. has displayed a work ethic similar to his dad's, manager Tim Johnson said.

And both are making comebacks.

In 2004, the Arizona Diamondbacks fired Backman when his legal and financial issues surfaced four days after they introduced him as their manager.

Given another chance, he will manage the Mets' short-season Class A team in Brooklyn, N.Y., starting next week.

Backman, 50, said his problems unfortunately resulted in little playing time for his son. Since the Texas Rangers released him after four seasons in the minors, Wally Jr., 24, has played independent baseball. He said he hopes an affiliated organization signs him, so he can pursue his goal of playing in the majors.

"He's a big, strong kid," Backman said in a phone interview from Florida. "He's got power. He has good instincts. He has a lot of tools."

As a child, Wally Jr. frequented the clubhouse during his dad's playing days, and John Kruk and Lenny Dykstra were familiar friends.

"When I first signed to play professional baseball, I felt maybe there was a little pressure because of my dad, who he was," Wally Jr. said. "But after a couple years maturing and learning how to play the game, I settled down and realized what I was doing."

The Rangers drafted Backman in the 30th round in 2004 out of an Oregon high school - nearly five months before the D-backs hired and fired his father.

After Arizona hired Backman without conducting background checks, reports emerged of his two arrests and financial problems. According to The Associated Press, he was arrested in 2001 after a fight at his home involving his wife and one of her friends in Prineville, Ore. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment. He was convicted of driving under the influence in Kennewick, Wash., in 2000. He also filed for bankruptcy.

Backman said his troubles led to his son's diminished playing time. Wally Jr. reached Single-A with the Rangers and played no more than 62 games in a season.

Wally Jr. pointed to his eyesight problems, especially depth perception. He has since undergone Lasik surgery and said his eyesight is now fine.

"He played when he first got there, then everything happened. He didn't play," Backman said. "That's no way to evaluate a kid."

Wally Jr. wound up playing for his father for the independent Joliet (Ill.) JackHammers. He hit .285 in 2008 and .244 in 2009.

Wally said his father treated him like any other player, although they sometimes butted heads. If he would strike out, his dad would instruct him to swing at the first pitch - and he wouldn't swing.

His dad reminded him if he didn't get the job done, he wouldn't play.

"I finally had a breakout year with him, and I can credit that to him, because he taught me a lot," Wally Jr. said.

They talk daily. Backman dispenses advice, encouraging him to drive the ball through the middle.

Wally Jr. hopes his dad gets another chance in the majors.

"That was a pretty tough time," Wally Jr. said. "But he has broad shoulders. He got back up."

Inside pitch

• The Toros finished with a split in their six-game road trip after an 11-2 loss to Chico on Thursday night.

Today

• What: St. George at Toros

• When: 7 p.m.

• Radio: 1450-AM

CHICO 11, TOROS 2

Tucson ab r h bi Chico ab r h bi

Womack cf 4 1 1 0 Gailen cf 4 1 2 2

Valdez 2b 4 0 0 0 Hill 2b 3 1 1 0

Garcia lf 3 0 2 1 Sherrill lf 5 1 1 2

Ferrante rf 4 0 0 0 Jova rf 5 1 2 0

Bckmn Jr. 3b 4 1 1 0 Rose c 5 2 3 2

Santana 1b 4 0 0 0 Castro 3b 5 1 2 1

Priddy ss 4 0 0 0 Janwy 1b 2 2 1 2

Apodaca c 3 0 0 0 Prieto ss 4 1 2 1

Lincoln p 1 0 0 0 Honel p 3 0 0 0

Bistagne ph 1 0 0 0 Dl Rel ph 1 1 1 1

Totals 32 2 4 1 Totals 37 11 15 10

Tucson 000 001 100 - 2

Chico 003 040 400 - 11

E: Garcia (3), Castro (5), Janeway (6), Prieto (3). LOB: Tucson 5, Chico 7. 2B: Gailen 2, Sherrill, Janeway, Del Real. HR: Rose (6). SB: Gailen (5), Hill (1), Janeway (2).

Tucson IP H R ER BB SO

Lincoln L, 0-2 5 10 7 7 3 4

Daly 1 0 0 0 1 0

Hanna 1 4 4 4 1 1

Nordman 1 1 0 0 0 1

Chico

Honel W, 4-0 7 3 2 0 1 12

Segal 2 1 0 0 0 1

WP: Lincoln, Honel. Time: 2:35. Att: n/a.