4
2011
David and Derek
An article by Former Writers
First I’ll talk about David Wright because this is a Mets site.
Why is it that so many Mets fans want to tear down Wright’s obvious love of the game and his only team, the Mets? There are no perfect people, and certainly no perfect ballplayers, but there are those who are different. These are the guys who play by the rules, not by the ‘drug of the day’. They can be found everywhere that there are children who need a hero, someone on the front pages of the papers who is honored and revered like David and Derek are.
David is the eldest of four sons of a Police Chief and a school teacher. He is now putting his younger brothers through college. He goes home to an area where there are signs of his generosity all over the place around schools and playgrounds.
He is doing the same work for the Mets in New York City, in fact, sometimes he and Derek make a dual appearance at a children’s hospital or a charity event.
I don’t need to mention his work on the field – you see it every day.
Be thankful for David Wright – he’s a special person.
I first heard of Derek Jeter on May 29, 1995 and I’ve not missed a game of his since then. Sometimes it’s on the radio at home or in the car or was at my Yale office radio on the windowsill. Sometimes it’s on TV. All I know is that after May 29, 1995 I knew I had to follow this kid.
And I have – I think I’ve read every book written about him and my favorite – and the best one, I think is – “The Life You Imagine” written with Jack Curry – that’s the real Derek Jeter. The one who doesn’t quite fit in with some of his teammates – the one who still is very close to his parents and his sister, who behaves in public as a sports hero should and sets a very good example for kids. The one who started his own Turn Two organization very early on in his career and works with his parents there.
Early on he and George Steinbrenner had words – and Derek turned them into a commercial for a credit card that showed George in a Conga line. After that they became close until the day George died.
Derek is still close to his family and the friends he makes, he keeps. He feels very strongly that he should set an example as a Yankee, and he does. As Captain, he is the one always chosen to speak for the team on and off the field. He relishes his private life and has – for the most part – kept it private.
However, this past summer, when Derek was talking contracts with Brian Cashman, Brian made a mistake – he told Derek that if he didn’t like what they were offering, maybe he should look around. Derek was hurt, badly. He believes in keeping his business private and Brian Cashman apparently doesn’t. The Steinbrenner children finally got involved and papers got signed.
I doubt that Derek would ever go to another team, so he’s trying to make the best of a bad situation while he’s getting moved around in the lineup and taking days off at Girardi’s behest without complaint.
Yet he continues to be the person we all knew as a 19 year old who could really play — by the rules.
He is Sui Generis.
About the Author: Former Writers
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If you love him so much, why don’t you marry him?
Think of what you just said. Unless you’re 4 years old, you need to grow up.
Ding ding ding! We have a winner! (I was obviously joking, Mary)
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Well Annie I don’t know anyone who actually WANTS to see david go just some who are prepared and ready for the fact that he might get traded if this team is destined to rebuild the franchise via a firesale.
In a firesale you pretty much sell whatever you have that is worth the most in hopes of getting the next David Wright and something else in return.
There has never been a question about David’s dedication, work ethic or value to this team.
The question is are there enough guys around David to make all that pay off!
I have been critical of David;s approach at the plate. That doesn’t mean I don’t want him and it should not be taken as a statement of desiring to get rid of him. It is meant as a statement that our coaching is not serving David and the team well in regards to his hitting.
But let me ask you this…
If this team is destined for a rebuild and not ready to win a WS in the next 5 years wouldn’t we be doing Wright a favor by trading him to a winning team?
Basically I look at the Met players as my children. Can’t hate them even when they do bad things. I want them all to succeed even if that sometimes means they leave the nest to go and realize dreams they can not achieve if they stay home.
If this team is destined for a rebuild and will be bad for a few years then I just as soon see David get sent to a team that can win something for him.
I would prefer WE are the team that does that and prefer that we try and make a team around him that can accomplish it. But if we can’t then I really would be more upset about stifling his career and forcing him to play on a constantly losing team.
Lets hope Sandy finds a way to get what he needs so it doesn’t come to that!
Nice job, Annie. Whereas everything Yankee makes my skin crawl, it is hard to hate Jeter.
As I said, in an earlier response, Wright is a franchise player.
He may well end up being our second or third HOFer, too.
Last night’s loss sucked so badly, I just cringe thinking about it. Wright didn’t lose the game.
David Wright seems like a good guy, he says, and more importantly, does all of the right (Wright?) things. However, we know little about him. It’s great that he does charity work, but so do many other professional athletes. Fans criticize David when he struggles. Guess what? That’s the nature of the beast. David knows that. He’s paid quite a bit of money to “put up with” Met fans’ complaints.
He’s been a very good Met, I will not say great yet. However, over the past 3 years, he has struggled terribly with strike outs, many in key situations. His fielding has been vastly overrated by many, he’s at best an average 3rd baseman defensively. That said, I’d hate to see him go, but Sandy Alderson should at least listen if and when other teams call.
Unlike Jose Reyes, whose contract situation will prevent the Mets from taking in a haul of prospects and/or young major league talent, Wright can still bring a decent haul. With Reyes likely gone next year, Beltran almost certainly gone, and who knows as our pitching staff, the Mets are not poised to be competitive for a few years at least. David will be on the wrong side of 30 by then. I’m not saying he has to be traded, far from it, in fact that day would sadden me (the same with Jose). However, for the best of the franchise, Alderson should consider it if the right deal comes along.
I have always admired David’s wk in community since he came up with Mets but the truth be told he has regressed this year.
Last year the K’s were up and he hit under .300 a rarity for him in a full season.
This year the K’s continue and his swing has gotten long plus he now has people hitting behind him to take pressure off him but he continues to get out on the same off the plate breaking stuff.
Come on David you want to be here then show us fans and Mets what you can do cause right now you are a liability when men are on base.
Iwas looking up Reyes’s Stats and Jeter’s Stats blah blah blah. I did notice one thing, Jeter has been paid on Par with many sluggers of his time. Though he has had only three 20 plus home run seasons and one 100 rbi seasons. He is more than likely the most over paid top two spots of the order player in history.