Backman and the 51s get NL title rings, keep on rolling

By Taylor Bern

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Las Vegas 51s manager Wally Backman has the same job title for the fourth straight season, but there’s a difference in the job description this time around for the man leading the New York Mets’ Triple-A affiliate.

On Tuesday night before the 51s’ game against the El Paso Chihuahuas, Backman, his coaching staff and eight current players who last year spent time in the majors received their rings commemorating the Mets’ National League title. Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and 51s President/COO Don Logan, among others, stood on Cashman Field and honored 13 members of the Las Vegas organization for their contributions to last year’s success.

New York’s run to the World Series was the product of years spent building a formidable farm system, to the degree that 11 of the 25 on the Mets’ main roster last season spent time over the past few years in Las Vegas.

“I feel proud of the fact that those guys, not only did they get to the big leagues, but they went to the World Series,” Backman said. “Everybody’s a part of it, all the way from the bottom to the top.”

Over the past three seasons, three members of New York’s regular five-man pitching rotation — Noah Syndergaard, Jacob DeGrom and Steven Matz — made a combined 66 starts for the 51s. Others, like current 51s second baseman Dilson Herrera and shortstop Matt Reynolds, have had a couple cups of coffee up in the majors but the ring ceremony might be the closest they’ll get again for a little while.

And that has far more to do with what the Mets, who are 20-11 and leading the National League East, have now built at the top than those guys’ abilities to break through. It’s also a big reason why Backman is so excited about his task this season.

“I believe (Herrera’s) going to be an All-Star second baseman someday, and could he play in the big leagues right now on a team? Absolutely, without a question; Mattie Reynolds is the same way,” said Backman, who won a World Series as a second baseman with the Mets in 1986. “So in a sense I feel fortunate because I know I have good players here.”

The 51s are 17-14 following Tuesday’s 6-4 victory against El Paso. They’ve won four straight and Backman is confident that they’ll only get better with time, because unlike most seasons he expects the majority of the guys to get a significant amount of time together.

“For me, this year is going to be more fun because we’re not going to have that sort of movement, barring injuries,” Backman said. “When you can keep the core of your players together in Triple-A … that’s how you win.”

And winning is always the name of Backman’s game, even when development is the bigger priority to the major-league team. Backman’s goal has been to find the balance between the two — “It’s always a matter of polishing a player to know that they’re ready for the big leagues” — but as he likes to say, winning is developing, too.

“I know what it takes to get them ready, and I take pride in that,” Backman said. “I take pride in winning, too, but the development part, winning is developing because that’s being able to do all the little things.”

Unlike last season, when many of Backman’s main pieces were called up just as the 51s were trying to push for the postseason, this year he expects to operate closer to a major-league team that can focus more on a playoff run than who might be around for it. Major league teams may not always care about their minor league affiliate records, but Backman certainly cares about his. A great season could help get him back where he wants to be.

Backman was hired to be the Arizona Diamondbacks manager in 2004, but that lasted only a few days after revelations about his legal and financial troubles came to light. He’s been waiting for another shot ever since, and it’s a call he still hopes to answer.

“No doubt, that’s why I do it,” Backman said. “I know I’m prepared for it and I’m ready.”

Until that day, Backman continues to get his roster ready for the same jump while trying to win along the way. They will work together, this year more than ever, to make it a reality and perhaps earn another ring.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.