Manufacturer: Fleer
Set: 1981 Fleer Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Wally Backman
Position/Team: 2nd Base for Mets
Card #: 336
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Wally Backman was the gritty, dirt-stained heart of the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets. A switch-hitting second baseman, Backman was defined by his aggressive style of play, his penchant for “getting on base by any means necessary,” and a fiery personality that followed him into his coaching career.
Backman spent nine seasons in New York, where he formed a highly effective platoon at second base with Tim Teufel.
- New York Mets (1980–1988): His peak came in 1986, when he batted .320 and posted a .376 on-base percentage. He was the classic “table-setter” for stars like Darryl Strawberry and Gary Carter.
- Minnesota Twins (1989): Spent one season in the American League after being traded by the Mets.
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1990): Hit .292 as a veteran presence on a division-winning Pirates squad.
- Philadelphia Phillies (1991–1992) & Seattle Mariners (1993): Finished his career as a valuable bench player and pinch-hitter.
Much like teammate Lenny Dykstra, Backman was known for playing hard, sliding head-first, and frequently arguing with umpires.
Backman moved into managing, where his intense personality became legendary. In 2004, he was named the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, but was famously fired just four days later after reports surfaced regarding past legal and financial struggles. Most recently, he has managed in the Atlantic League, continuing his long-standing reputation as a “baseball lifer.”
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
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Pricing chart includes raw card price & some graded card value estimates.
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