Diamondbacks Hire Backman as Manager

Wally Backman, a scrappy second baseman 18 years ago for the World Series champion New York Mets, was hired Monday as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“My style is hard, aggressive baseball,” Backman said. “If my brother is second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers and if it means taking him out at second base, that’s what I expect my players to do. That’s the way we play the game.”

Backman, 45, was given a two-year contract. He was selected minor league manager of the year this season by the Sporting News after leading Class A Lancaster to the best record (86-54) in the California League. It was his first year in Arizona’s organization.

Backman replaces Al Pedrique, who took over on an interim basis when Bob Brenly was fired in early July.

The Diamondbacks finished 51-111 this year, the worst record in the seven-year history of the team, which won the World Series title in 2001.

*

After nine years on the job, Houston General Manager Gerry Hunsicker resigned, less than two weeks after the Astros came within one victory of reaching the World Series for the first time.

Hunsicker’s clubs won four National League Central Division titles and finished second three times, including this year.

Tim Purpura, Hunsicker’s assistant and the team’s director of player development, was promoted to general manager.

*

Jim Bowden, Cincinnati’s general manager from 1992 to 2003, will be announced as general manager of the Washington-bound Montreal Expos, a league official said on the condition of anonymity.

Bowden replaces Omar Minaya, who resigned during the last week of the regular season to become general manager of the New York Mets.

The Expos have announced they will move to Washington next season if the local government approves funding for a new ballpark.

*

New York Yankee coach Willie Randolph, Texas coach Rudy Jaramillo and former Angel manager Terry Collins were invited by the Mets for a second round of interviews, Wednesday at Shea Stadium, for the vacant manager’s job.

Dodger coach Jim Riggleman and former Toronto manager Carlos Tosca, the other two candidates who interviewed with Minaya, were not invited back.

*

Jim Leyland, who led Florida to its first World Series title, in 1997, and guided Pittsburgh to three division titles in the early 1990s, interviewed for the Philadelphia Phillies’ managerial position and plans to talk to the Mets.

*

The Mets declined to exercise a $15-million option on Richard Hidalgo and paid the outfielder a $2-million buyout.... Tampa Bay declined an $8-million option for 2005 on first baseman Tino Martinez.... Seattle declined a $6-million option on closer Eddie Guardado, giving him until Nov. 10 to decide whether he wants to exercise a $4-million player option or become a free agent.... Boston declined a $1.25-million option on pitcher Curtis Leskanic and gave him a $100,000 buyout.... Tim Raines was hired by the Chicago White Sox as first base and baserunning coach. Raines, a seven-time All-Star, had 808 stolen bases, fifth on the career list.

*

Jurisprudence

The Supreme Court declined to review the corruption conviction of Robert W. Lee Sr., founder and former president of the International Boxing Federation, who is serving a 22-month sentence.

*

Miscellany

In a match that probably will mark the final international appearances of Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy, the U.S. women’s soccer team will play Mexico on Dec. 8 at the Home Depot Center. Joy Fawcett, who has played every minute for the U.S. in the last three Women’s World Cups and Olympics, is injured and will not play.

Seven-time All-Star Theo Fleury told Rogers Sportsnet that he is still battling substance abuse, nearly two years after he last played in the NHL.

Fleury, 36, was suspended by the NHL in April 2003.

*

Passings

Jimmy “Baby Face” McLarnin, two-time welterweight champion in the era when each weight division had only one titleholder, died Thursday at 96 in Richland, Wash.

McLarnin had a record of 53-11-3 with 67 knockouts in a career that stretched from 1924 to 1936.