Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Mets all-time starting lineup

By Michael Pallas

FUKUOKA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 8: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets hits the ball during the Aeon All Star Series Day 5 - MLB v Japan All-Stars at Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome on November 8, 2006 in Fukuoka, Japan. MBL All-Star team won today's game 5-3, meaning they have won every one of the five game series. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 8: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets hits the ball during the Aeon All Star Series Day 5 - MLB v Japan All-Stars at Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome on November 8, 2006 in Fukuoka, Japan. MBL All-Star team won today's game 5-3, meaning they have won every one of the five game series. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) /
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Backman was the 16th overall pick in the 1977 MLB Draft, and he spent three years in the minors before a call up in September of 1980. After three years in the big leagues, Backman finally earned a starting job at second base for the Mets, and he played there until 1988.

When it comes to playing defense at second base, not many did it better than Wally Backman. He was a key figure in the middle of the Mets defense in the 1980s. His .979 fielding percentage with the Mets was integral in their success.

In the Mets best seasons in the 1980s, Backman was a threat at the top of the lineup is multiple ways. In 1984-85 he stole more than 30 bases each season. Then in 1986, he has his best offensive season in batting average (.320) and on base percentage (.376) and what would end up being the second-highest slugging percentage of his career (.385).

All told, he hit .286/.355/.348 in his time manning second base in Flushing. That’s good enough to hit eighth and get on base for the pitcher. Backman was one of the best defensive second basemen in the history of the Mets, and he belongs as a starter on this team.

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