If Today's Your Birthday


...you share it with the former Mets 2nd baseman Wally Backman. A top of the order tablesetter during the mid- and late-1980s, he's built a successful career as a minor league manager, including several in independent leagues. (His clubs made eight playoff appearances and won three titles.)

Backman seemed to be close to landing a major league position on a couple of occasions -- but the White Sox chose not to promote him when they concluded he was rooting against the big team's then-skipper Jerry Manuel. And was actually hired by the Diamondbacks in 2005, but let go soon afterward when word surfaced of past instances of DUI and alleged spousal abuse.

The Mets gave him another chance in 2010 and he's done well in their system -- but this year's beefed up roster likely saved Terry Collins job, while Wally's AAA Las Vegas 51st lost their final two regular season games to just miss the post-season.

Also celebrating on this September 22nd:

  • American League Rookie of the Year contender Carlos Correia of the Astros (right).
  • White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
  • Cardinals manager and former catcher Mike Matheny.
  • Pitcher Mark Guthrie
  • Stolen base champ Vince Coleman.
  • "Sweet" Lou Johnson of the 1960s Dodgers
  • Well-traveled outfielder Jeffrey Leonard.
  • Larry Dierker, who played, managed and broadcast games for the Astros.
  • And a pair of pitchers who later managed -- and both wound up in the Hall of Fame: Bob Lemon and Tommy Lasorda.
Happy cake and candles!

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