Mets GM Sandy Alderson nears call-back stage for manager hire

Now we can call Sandy Alderson’s search for the Mets’ new manager “The World Tour.”

Alderson reportedly boarded a plane Thursday headed for the Dominican Republic, where Triple-A manager Ken Oberkfell is running a winter league team. And on his way east from his California home, the newly hired general manager stopped off at Citi Field, where Wednesday he talked with former big-league managers Clint Hurdle and Don Wakamatsu.

Once Alderson chats with Oberkfell, he’ll begin whittling a list that also includes ex-Met and fan favorite Wally Backman, minor league field coordinator Terry Collins and scout Bob Melvin, for call-backs next week. That preliminary list may also grow in the coming days, as current Binghamton (AA) manager Tim Teufel may also get an interview.

Collins, a friend of new head of player development Paul DePodesta, will likely get a second interview.

Alderson also interviewed Mets third base coach Chip Hale, bench coach Dave Jauss and Red Sox coach DeMarlo Hale.

Not that the globe-trotting Alderson has asked, but former Mets pitching ace Dwight Gooden cast his lot with his ex-teammate Backman.

“I think he would be a great manager for them,” Gooden told the New York Post. “I remember when we played together, he was totally locked into the game and knew the game.”