Davidoff: Backman buzz not what Mets need

So the Mets probably will be paying Wally Backman next season to manage . . . their Class A St. Lucie affiliate, that is. The big-league job appears headed for Terry Collins, Clint Hurdle or Bob Melvin, as first reported by Newsday on Thursday.

The arrival of Sandy Alderson turned Backman from a favorite to a likable second-tier candidate, and it should come as welcome news for Mets fans who want to see their franchise turn out a consistent winner.

Backman's near-dormant candidacy came down to this: The best reason to make him the Mets' skipper would've been the worst reason to hire any manager.

If you're hiring your manager because you think he might sell some tickets, you're doing it backward.

That served as the primary motivation, right? We know that none of Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth is coming through that Citi Field door, so the big acquisition would be a manager whose name evokes a smile from every Mets fan 35 and older.

Thankfully, before that vision could be implemented, Bud Selig stepped in and begged Alderson and the Wilpons to commit to each other. And now the big-name acquisitions are Alderson and his highly regarded lieutenants, Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi.

Indeed, in a letter to a former season-ticket holder, a Mets account executive referred to Alderson and "an all-star front-office staff." Good idea.

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Collins, Hurdle and Melvin all have managed big-league teams. All have been fired, too. None of the trio will be confused with John McGraw or Tony La Russa. Any, upon being hired, will have questions to answer about his managerial past.

Nevertheless, all seem capable of implementing a vision subscribed by, and working in conjunction with, Alderson.

Could Backman do the same? Maybe. But he's only one year back from oblivion, and he's only 51. What's the harm in having him work in the system for another year, with a promotion from Class A Brooklyn? If he's not interested, it's his loss.

Would Backman bring unique "fire"? Sorry, I'm not buying it. That hasn't been the Mets' problem in recent years, not even close. That's a bunch of mythology.

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The primary defaults, when it came to the managers of the Omar Minaya reign, were 1) an absence of philosophical consistency between the GM and manager; and 2) the knowledge, on the players' side, that their manager never held much job security - and therefore a lack of urgency to heed the manager's words.

That sort of accountability has to come from the top, from the awareness that the GM has the manager's back. Likewise, bona fide ticket-sale spikes are best when organic - when they result from winning, rather than an offseason stunt.

It's just anecdotal evidence - only the Mets have the real information - but it sure seems as if the Mets have been absolutely hammered by defections among season-ticket holders during their first two years at Citi Field.

This past season, they offered freebies to former holders for big games such as the Subway Series.

Now the Mets have established a "season ticket retention and services department," according to the aforementioned letter, "that is fully dedicated to our season ticket holders. Each season ticket account will be assigned a specific account executive that will work with you throughout the year. Their job is to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have."

Hey, that's great; who are we to frown upon improved customer service? However, the best way to retain season-ticket holders will be to put a superior product on the field.

And the best way to make that happen? With structure and intelligence rather than a symbol of past elation. They're already on their way.