David Wright

Mets legends: David Wright, a look back

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By Angelina Heather Rizzo

The Mets were fortunate and blessed to have former captain David Wright at third base. Here’s a closer look at what made him a memorable player for this franchise.

David Wright came onto the scene in 2004.
Quickly, he propelled and helped the 2006 Mets get to the World Series, a feat which sparked joy on the faces of millions of Mets fans. A corner infield of David Wright and Jose Reyes was dynamic.

In 2006, Wright hit 26 home runs, 116 RBI’s and posted a .311 batting average.

Over his 14 year career, 2004-2018, Wright totaled for 1,777 hits, put up a 49.2 WAR, a career .296 batting average, 242 home runs, 970 batted in, 196 stolen bases, and an .867 OPS.

Wright was a phenomenal player whose career was cut short due to a diagnosis of spinal stenosis.

Players gravitated towards Wright. He was a class act on and off the field. He was a Met like no other.

To put things in perspective, David Wright was really something special. The Mets can only hope to have a player of his caliber one day again soon.

Also read: Mets need to sign Trevor Bauer this off-season

Nimmo extends streak

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Nimmo led off the Mets bottom half of the first inning with a double into right-center field , his fourth of the season. The double would extend Nimmo’s streak to 34 straight games in which he’s reached base.

This ties Nimmo with Pete Alonso and Carlos Delgado for third longest streak behind John Olerud and former captain David Wright.

Also read: The Mets are getting on base & Alonso’s struggles won’t last

Are the Mets grooming Wright to be the next Manager?

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Recently, the Mets have announced that David Wright and the team came to a mutual agreement that would finalize his release from the active roster and will now act as special advisor to the COO Jeff Wilpon. Lately, this has been a common move for former players to transition from player, to front office advisor, then back in the dugout as manager.

A few weeks back, Hall of Fame First Baseman Jim Thome was on MLB Now with Brian Kenny and company. Thome revealed that he was working as a special advisor in the front office and how it’s important to be a high IQ player in order to ultimately make the team regular contenders. It’s nothing new to hire former players in some capacity however certain players are using this as an opportunity to learn the aspects of baseball in which they aren’t exactly accustomed to.

Just about every single manager in Major League and Minor League Baseball has held a role in the front office, to some capacity. So could David Wright be heading down this familiar path? He has always had a fantastic clubhouse presence with both the veterans and younger players, alike.

What it really boils down to is if David really want to do this. I don’t think there’s any question that the fans would receive this with an open mind and open arms. However, as human beings with empathy, if David prefers to pursue something else in his life, I think we’d all be will to accept that.

Regardless, I know somewhere on his soul you can find an engraving that says “LGM🍎”.

The Mets lose out on option at 3rd

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The Atlanta Braves swooped in and signed FA 3rd baseman, Josh Donaldson. The former A’s, Blue Jay’s, and Cleveland 3rd baseman was linked to the Mets as a potential replacement for David Wright at the hot corner. Instead, he signed a one year deal worth $23M to head down south and play in Georgia.

In 2018, Donaldson spent time in Toronto as well as Cleveland only playing in 52 games due to injury before becoming a Free Agent this off-season. Donaldson put together a .246/ .352/ .449/ .801 slash line and an OPS+ of 119.

He ended up hitting 8 home runs with 14 doubles while driving in 23 base runners in 187 at-bats. Donaldson averages 33 home runs, 35 doubles, and 101 RBI’s per every 162 games and will likely bat in the 3-5 spot in the Braves line up.

The Braves will use Camargo as a super utility player, he has plenty of experience in the infield however has only played one inning in the outfield. I expect him to start shagging fly balls immediately, well before the start of spring training.

Todd Frazier is still slated to be the Mets everyday 3rd baseman while the team is possibly looking into other options at the hot corner and maybe even 2nd base as well. Or will they explore a trade for Arenado with the Winter Meetings right around the corner.

David goes out the Wright way as a Met

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With Citi Field packed and bursting at the seems, the atmosphere was pumping in Queens with today being David Wright’s final start in a New York Mets uniform. As you would imagine, the crowd went insane as Wright took the field right before the first pitch.

On the mound was the nervous Mets LHP Steven Matz, he grew up watching David Wright as teen in high school & college being that Matz is a Stony Brook, Long Island native. I’m pretty sure Matz is not trying to go down as the pitcher that ruined Wright’s final impression in the baseball world, again especially in Queens.

In Wright’s first at bat, Wright worked the count by fouling off pitches & would eventually draw the walk. Unfortunately, Conforto would follow by grounding into a inning ending double play.

Wright was able to display his defense as well when Steven Matz induced a chopper to David & just like vintage Wright, he side armed it over to Bruce at first.

During Wright’s second at bad, he fouled out to the Marlins first baseman. After the inning ended, Wright took to field & took in some practice grounders. He then started to hug Jose Reyes & the rest of his teammates on the field as Mickey Callaway walked over to the home plate umpire to pull Wright from the game.

David continued to salute & vow to the crown as the packed stadium was rocking as if it was the year 2000 or 2005 in Shea Stadium.

Thank you David, thank you for giving your 100% on a consistent basis & always leaving your heart on the diamond. Sir,’ you will be missed.