Minor League Spotlight: The Wally Backman Experiment Is Not Going So Hot

Minor League Spotlight is the MLB FanHouse's look into baseball's minor leagues. But you probably figured that out already.

Last week, I told you that Wally Backman, he of being hired by the Diamondbacks only to be released a few days later fame, got a job coaching in the independent South Coast League. It was encouraging to see that for all the financial, personal and legal problems he combated, the Georgia Peanuts still gave him a chance to flex his managerial muscle again. Well, here's what he did last night:

Backman, the fiery skipper of the South Coast League-leading South Georgia Peanuts, was ejected from the game in the eighth inning after coming to the defense of player Doc Brooks, who has just been tossed by home plate umpire Tom Height for questioning balls and strikes calls.

Backman dropped several F-bombs on Height, then kicked dirt on home plate, prompting Height to eject Backman.

The former New York Mets star responded to the move by tossing equipment onto the playing field. Not only did he hurl 22 bats onto the grass, he also emptied a bucket of baseballs down the third base line.

The situation was made worse by the fact that Backman's foul language was clearly audible since there were only a handful of fans left in the stadium. Some of those fans were, in fact, children.

And later:

When the game ended, with the host Anderson Joes claiming a 6-5 victory, Backman made his way to the Joes radio booth to confront play-by-play man Mike Janela about comments Janela made referring to Backman's "childish"outburst.

Backman suggested where Janella could place his microphone, and when Joes general manger Garrett Ball told Backman enough was enough, he had a few unprintable words for Ball as well.

The animated Backman recently served a three-game suspension for bumping an umpire, and has been vocal about what he perceives as poor officiating in the fledgling SCL.

Man, I can understand going after umpires and throwing stuff on the field. Major League managers do that. Players do it their fair share, too. But to go after the play-by-play announcer on top of all that? Takes a different breed, that's for sure.

This certainly doesn't mean Backman can't coach or that the Peanuts should look elsewhere for a manager, but dang, it's definitely not doing anything to help his cause. In any event, I hope video of this surfaces soon. Should be pretty epic.

(Sidenote: As the Big Lead notes, he has his own reality show coming out. Maybe it's a publicity stunt?)

HT: Deadspin.

Previously At FanHouse:
Minor League Spotlight: Wally Backman Is at It Once Again
Paul Lo Duca Throws Stuff, Get Suspended