21
2013
Congratulations to David Wright – Our Captain
An article by 
The Mets made it official this afternoon and named David Wright the team’s captain, joining a select group that includes John Franco, Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter.
“This is probably one of the proudest days of my career so far,” Wright said. “I’m honored and very proud to be on that short list of guys that have been considered captain of this franchise. For me, it’s a dream come true, to say the least.”
There has been speculation for years – as far back when Willie Randolph was manager – and intensified this winter when Wright was signed to a $138-million eight-year extension. Manager Terry Collins said at the start of spring training it was something he was considering, but needed to run it through GM Sandy Alderson and COO Jeff Wilpon, as well as poll the clubhouse.
It was a foregone conclusion the announcement would be made prior to Opening Day. According to ESPN, Wilpon said the second Wright signed the contract there was nothing else to think about.
“When you commit that kind of money and resources that we have to a guy like this, you want to make sure he’s the leader,” chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said. “And he’s proven to be that.”
During the Randolph era, the manager said the promotion might be awkward because that team was loaded with veterans such as Carlos Delgado – who became a mentor to Jose Reyes – Carlos Beltran, and pitchers Tom Glavine and Pedro Martinez.
At the time, Randolph said there wasn’t a need for a captain because of the veteran influence. Then came the Jerry Manuel era, but the team was so bad it seemed like a futile gesture.
Even so, Wright was always the face of the franchise, and the one player the media sought out for analysis on the Mets or anything else relating to baseball.
Wright will not wear a “C” on his uniform, but his leadership has been obvious in the clubhouse for years. Once, Reyes wanted to stay in a game, but was clearly hobbled. Wright, knowing an injured Reyes could be a liability told the manager, then Manuel.
Wright has worked closely with the pitchers and was one of the few players who could reach Mike Pelfrey when he was losing concentration. He often goes to the mound when a rattled pitcher needs to catch his breath.
With the Mets moving in a youth direction, there was no veteran presence other than Wright, who, as an All-Star had the talent to back up the promotion.
At the start of camp, Wright said being captain would be an honor, but wanted it through his teammates and not an edict from ownership or management.
“This is where I wanted to start my career and finish my career,” Wright said. “I feel very comfortable and very confident in this role.”
Today was just a formality. Wright has captained this team through good times and bad for the last five years. From the moment Wright was first called up, he has shown himself to be a leader in every sense of the word and has done so with integrity and honor.
He was never one to run and hide after an awful loss or those forgettable collapses in 2007 and 2008. Instead he stood front and center in front of his locker and was always willing to take the bullet for the team.
As the years wore on, Wright eventually assumed the role of team ambassador, and no player in franchise history has done a better job despite the the negativity he was forced to navigate in. Despite it all, he always stood strong and wore his team colors proudly.
His record of accomplishments speak for themselves and he leads the team in over a dozen different offensive categories, many of which will likely never be broken.
Wright is too modest to wear the “C” on his uniform like all of his predecessors have. Instead he gets the “C” for class by all of us here at Mets Merized Online.
A heartfelt congratulations to David Wright – Our Captain.
Contributed to by John Delcos.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 28 | .600 | - |
| Nationals | 34 | 35 | .493 | 7.5 |
| Phillies | 34 | 37 | .479 | 8.5 |
| Mets | 25 | 40 | .385 | 14.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 47 | .319 | 19.5 |
Last updated: 06/18/2013
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considering there is no actual duties associated with it, it really does seem like nothing more than a PR move. But, even though I don’t believe in having one in MLB, if they are going to certainly the only option.
Hopefully he enjoys it and rises to the occasion. And relaxes, now that he has a lifetime contract and official recognition.
A wonderful tribute to a deserving Met who has been a fan favorite from day one. He is what Chipper was to the Braves and Jeter to the Yankees. A great ballplayer, multiple All Star, and like the other two, will retire playing all his years with the team that nurtured him and the fan base that has appreciated all that he has meant to the organization. Congrats to Number Five!
Chipper and Jeter won championships, a league MVP, and W.S. MVP. I don’t see why people feel the need to compare him to champions and future first ballot HOFers.
Does naming a captain on an awful team really mean anything?
Does playing for a bad team make someone less deserving?
Does playing for a bad team make someone less deserving?”
Ask yourself that question.. Imagine you being named captain of a losing team year after year.. Only the mets come up with pathetic and sad promotions like this, you don’t see the royals nor the pirates doing this… My goodness.
Actually there’s only two other captains in baseball, Jeter and Konerko. But winning has nothing to do with it. What did the Red Sox or Cubs win with Rice, Yaz, Banks and Sandberg?
By the way, did you like my graphic, “The Captain” I made it just for you, Maniac and Bayonne. Was the neon a little over the top?
BTW isn’t it weird that the Red Sox always had captains going back to the deadball era and through as recent as Varitek, but went without a captain during the Ted Williams years? Wonder if it was the Sox’ choice or the Splinter’s?
You cannot be serious joe D….. HOF, HOF, HOF and guess what, HOF players you just mention there… Ohhh, and those players were clearly the backbone of their franchise and at least, at least guided their respected team to respectability and/or the playoffs. come on, be better than that!
Call me crazy, and I said this about Jose Reyes too, but both Reyes and Wright are on HOF paths and only a career threatening injury or a steep unexpected decline will keep that from happening.
Jessup, Xtreeme and Donal would call you crazy…
I know I suggested Reyes if he continued what he was doing would make the Hall and they tried to laugh me off the site!
I mentioned yesterday that I found it interesting that Jim Bowden liked the move of naming Wright captain, said he was one of the best players and best people in the game and was a future HOF. Not sure I agree about the future HOF part, not until he puts in a few more seasons like last year. He’s a long way from 3,000 hits and not even that is a guarantee anymore.
Ok, fair enough, so in your opinion is beltran a HOF?? 300 HR’s 300 SB’s Gold Glover.
I think Beltran has a good case for the HOF. Probably depends on how much longer he plays though and the production in those years.
I think Beltran is much closer than Wright but he’s also played longer. I think Beltran still needs about 2 really productive seasons though.
If Beltran get get to about 2500 hits and 400 HR while maintaining that OPS of slightly over .850, maybe one more AS game giving him 8. It would have been good if he had won one more GG giving him 4 but I think those days are past. I would think that should be doable if he stays healthy another 2-3 years.
As for Wright, what he does have going for him is 3B winning 2 GG and being an AS 6/8 first full seasons while being in the top 20 MVP 5 of those years as well.
However, he’s going to need to compile a lot of stats from here on out.
He most likely needs at least 200 more HR, 130 more steals, keep that .300 BA, and at least double his 1400 hits. That’s a tall order IMO.
TRS, well, wright got a legitimate chance to make it if rolen does. He’s a 7x AS, 8 GG, 280 career BA with 300+ HR 1200+ RBI and RS while having a 850+ OPS which is not bad. if he makes it, and wright maintains a similar pace for the next 5 years, he can have a chance, but roles has to make it as a HOF first imo
I think Wright has to stay healthy because Rolen didn’t. That might be the only difference is that Rolen might be just short due to those last few years.
Well he probably has the best numbers of any Player who played clean in the past 20 years going for him too!
We forget that a LOT of guys are not going to get Votes at the time Beltran comes onto the Ballot due to all the Roid suspicions…
No one has EVER had even the slightest suspicion that Beltran ever used…
Thats going to work heavily in his favor!
To further this point.
Rolen through age 29:
1250 hits, 226 HR and 6 gold gloves, 3 ASG.
Wright
1426 hits, 204 HR and 2 gold gloves, 6 ASG
After age 29:
Rolen:
823 hits, 90 HR and 2 gold gloves. 4 ASG
Wright?
TRS, well, just like wright rolen too started having back issues, but at 30 years of age the man had good numbers:
286 BA 250 HR 936 RBI 900 RUNS 894 OPS 7 Gold Gloves 5 AS appearances, and arguably the best 3rd baseman in the NL. But it all went downhill from there…
That’s what I was saying. I just used through age 29 because that’s where Wright is and BR also uses 29 as the comparison age.
Beltran gets in…I think he even has enough already to get it he was one of the best CFs in the league….If his knees die on him it might take a few ballots but if he stays healthy and has respectable years he gets in no problem.
If you look at his body of work, look at his stats as one of those rare, 5 tool players that just gets it done – it certainly makes a good case for him.
As is the case in NY….
He gets under rated because we are jaded and take it for granted…
No Question he is the best CF this team ever had….
And I have to wonder if that collision with Cameron didn’t have something to do with his knees giving out….
It was a horrible crash!
If he goes to an AL team, he can prolong his career giving him a chance a better numbers, If he ends up with:
400+ HR 300+SB 2500+ HITS 1500+ RBI and RUNS 500+ DBLS 850+ OPS and 2 more ASG apperances, he has a very, very strong chance to make it
Yup, as I said he only needs about 2-3 more productive years, so everything will depend on his health.
Yes, I do remember, shame many mets fans get on him for actually striking out on a deadly curveball that not even HOF could’ve hit in their prime.. Very very underrated player we had and now don’t we wish we had him patrolling our OF instead of the PO’ss we have?? You don’t know what you have till you lose it
At least with Wright’s contract we shouldn’t have to say the same thing about him? Right?
Well, we’ve had more good 3rd basemen than we ever had CF or SS for that matter so…
I guess that’s debatable too.
No it’s not, Beltran and Reyes were the best CF and SS in mets history and no one, and I mean NO ONE comes even close… We’ve had some good 3rd basemen play for us wouldn’t you say??
Did you forget MMO Beltran Appreciation Week with 15 posts about his greatness many of which said he was a future HOFer? Of course I see him as one, best all around complete player ever to pass through Flushing.
What you said, Joe.
It’s a shame some fans never warmed up to him b/c of that first year he played here.
I agree. I loved Beltran and no doubt was he our best CF of all-time.
Chipper was named captain even while there were folks more established with more tenure…
How awkward would it have been if Wright were named Captain while Reyes and Beltran were here…
In 2011, all everyone talked about in spring training was how Reyes and Beltran were the new leaders of the team…..nobody said squat about Wright…who as he said, doesnt like to stick out, he’d rather blend in…
when the entire planet was piling on his teammate luis castillo, the only folks u heard from were Beltran and Reyes…but strangely…no Wright…
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/carlos-beltran-jose-reyes-defend-luis-castillo-confused-public-perception-mets-teammate-article-1.137604
When those guys were here….Tejada, Turner, Murphy, Duda, Pagan, all looked up to them for leadership
now, since those guys have left….Wright has stepped up to fill their void, I will give him that much…
but had they been here….I dont think Wright ever gets named Captain…
…and that is the difference between Chipper and Wright…
Jeter is another story…and like Wright…I dont think Jeter ever gets named Captain if Paul O neil or Tino Martinez were on the team…
Jeter in alot ways is like Wright…except he produces in clutch moments like a champ…
Jeter in alot ways is like Wright…except he produces in clutch moments like a champ”
ANd has way more accomplishments than wright, more rings, plays against tougher competition, has broken all kinds of Yankees record for a franchise rich in baseball history…
Only idiots and mega bias fans would even dare to compare the 2.
I don’t care how bad you’ve been or how good your numbers are now, a HOF is better than a not HOF period..
Focus on one part of your comment and one part only.
Jeter is not “clutch.” The statistics show that Jeter is just Jeter. His numbers in clutch situations are no different than his career statistics. In fact, and someone else can tell me I’m wrong, I think his “clutch” numbers are slightly below his career averages.
You just remember the big hits and big plays. You don’t remember the strike outs in the 9th inning or the grounding into double plays. There are tons of them.
I don’t care if you think Wright is comparable to Jeter or not. But your clutch argument is really really really really stupid. And wrong.
Fair enough, it’s your opinion and i’ll respect it, however, as you pointed out, we do remember the big hits and clutch plays, and we’ve seen a lot of them in the playoffs. However, what do we remember about wright? what are his highlites of clutch hits? A hit against mariano rivera in 2006? a bloop single against papelbon last year? please, let us know your view on that
I think that in the one year that Wright had a real chance to shine on the national stage, in the playoffs, he didn’t come through. One year. Jeter had how many years in the playoffs? You remember the big hits and world series wins. But I’m sure if you go back and check the years they lost in the first or second round, you’ll find Jeter made the last out or a big ninth inning out, many many times.
Look at Carlos Beltran. The guy was a phenomenal Met. He gave us everything we could expect when he was healthy. But in the biggest at bat of his Mets career, he choked. Big time. Watched a hook go right by him, center of the plate. Season over. But you know what? It doesn’t change the fact that he was a great Met and put up phenomenal numbers for us. It doesn’t change my view of him as a fan.
David Wright is the best home grown position player we’ve ever had. I was at the baseball worshipping age when Straw came up and no one loved him like I did. The guy was a superstar. But Wright has been better. The numbers prove it. Wright is our Jeter, whether you think they are comparable or not.
I hope he has many more opportunities to come through in the clutch. We’ll see if he does. But if you ask any other team around the league who on the Mets they would least like to face in a big situation, they’ll tell you Wright.
He may be a disappointment to you and that may be due to outsized expectations. But his career has been phenomenal.
Why can’t you root for him?
Listen, I root for the mets, I root for everything mets, I love how you point out beltran’s at bat, well, how about in 2008? wright had plenty of opportunities to carry the mets to the playoffs, yet he failed more often than not, including the biggest at bat of HIS career which came on a September regular season game against the cubs, 9th inning, man on 3rd NO OUTS, the guy had a 3-0 count, and struck out on a pitch 6 feet off the plate, at least beltran’s was a nasty curve ball from arguably one of the best pitchers in baseball, wright’s came from a PO’s pitcher.
Also, like I said, I don’t root for the name on the back, just the one in the front, pointing out the flaws on a player is not hating him, it’s an opinion, you think he’s awesome, good for you, I am sure not many people will see it the same. moving on!
Jeter will forever be that guy who played on Team USA the first decade of his career. I think we all know what his story would be if he played on a team like the Mets, Jeter is a great player but let’s not kid ourselves with the clutch stuff, that’s just silly. It almost like a guy in the nba saying I hit 25 game winning shots in an nba career, while another guy hit 5, neglecting to mention the guy who hit 25 had 150 opportunities to do it, and the guy who hit 5 had 15 opportunities.
It think even Jeter would admit how blessed he was to have an owner that in his early part of the career made sure Jeter played on team USA 162 games a year.
Jeter is one of the few players with enough PS ABs to have a large enough body of work to avoid SSS issues. And when you look at regular season vs. PS, his #s are almost identical (+/- a small amount either way). Not surprising really, because his PS time is more than a full regular season, spread out over his career, so IOW what you would expect.
sure he had some big plays/hits (though if you list them out, not sure how many that really is), But when you get that many chances, when it is at a national level, of course you will. He also had plenty of failues.
some series are huge #s, some are terrible. Pretty much like any other 3-7 game block during a season.
basically, Jeter in the PS was just Jeter. Also with the luxury of no real pressure, hitting at the top of a lineup with a bunch of big hitters behind him. So no worries, right? But, for whatever reason, he does not seem (over his career) to let being in the PS bother him (choke?), but at the same time, he does not somehow elevate his game to some clutchian strata. he just does his thing.
Years ago, I did the same research on Reggie and I think I found that over the entire body of work he was either at or slightly below career norms in the playoffs as well.
Seriously how long and how many times are you going to point out selective facts of that Sept 08 game?
Let me remind you again
The bottom of the 8th, your boy Reyes left a runner on 3rd while softly grounding out in a tied game.
Wright did K’d and after being a head of the count (first time in the history of MLB that ever happened to any player hence why since 2008 you have to bring it up on a weekly basis), but like you pointed, it was the first out, therefore, two more players had a chance to drive in that same run after Wright had an AB, all failed, but according to your baseball acumen that was the biggest at bat of the year.
You also failed, to mention, again, that Maine couldn’t get out of the 5th inning after being handed the lead handsomely.
You also fail to mention each week you bring this up, that with that failed AB by Wright, the inning ended in a tie. The bullpen then proceeded to give up three more runs in the 10th inning. Wright failed though, big time, shhh lets not bring up the bullpen.
So really what should be said is that Wright failed to save the butt of a horrific bullpen, again, that by the way were blowing games at an alarming rate but your boy, savior, lord, Minaya sat on his hands at the trading deadline and did nothing to upgrade it, but Wright failed big time.
He earned it. Congratulations to Mr. Wright.
Paulie Lo Duca! Ah man.
I hope he can do what other captains have done and bring us a championship. Those are the only honors that interest me the most. Still, I will not begrudge him a congratulations. He has done a lot of good things for the team, but now it’s time to put the pedal to the metal.
Congratulations to David on an honor so well deserved.
I think David showed he had what it took to be captain last year in that game when he openly argued with Terry Collins about taking out of a game that the Mets were losing badly to Milwaukee – knowing he was going to be the target for a retaliation pitch.
If that isn’t leadership by example – even though it was also showing up the manager – then I don’t know what is.
So wait, now showing up your manager is leadership?? Didn’t Jose want to play hurt, and kind of got upset because he didn’t want to come out of the game and he was annihilated here? He was a cancer, bad teammate, pouting, cry baby etc..
Really enough with the showing up the manager – because that really never happened and I never remember anyone calling Reyes a cancer – ever.
You really are attention starved aren’t you.
RIght… It doesn’t fit your agenda to remember him almost punching the manager in his face, finger pointing him in his face, let me tell you something, remember billy martin? He would’ve punch him in the face had he done it to him…
There you go misusing a word again – agenda? Seriously, your bitterness is laughable now.
He didn’t even come close to punching anyone, you are so over the top with your dramatics I’m embarrassed for you.
Moving on, congrats on having your captain even though since he’s been the “Unofficial’ captain the mets haven’t won 80 games. SMH
Alex,
Can you please for once just act like a human being! Not asking you to act like a gentleman because we all know you’re absolutely incapable of that! Not asking you to act like a Met fan because we know that you’re not a Met fan. Ok we get it you don’t like the man! Move on! Why do you feel the need to spit your childish venom on any post that me have a feel good or congratualtory vibe ot it? You hi-jacked an earlier post congratulating the DR (much deserved IMO). And many (including me) congratulated you (as if you played on the team) and you went on and on about how “Your Captain America is home” You not only came off as a bully troll Met hater in that you also appeared pretty Anti-American. Now you have to come here and crap on Met fans little parade. You are the ultimate cyber terroist coward! Why don’t you and the “Core” (world’s dumbest name and further proof that you’re actually a Yankee fan) go back to your circle je*k.
Sigh….. You’re quckly becoming the CORE’s #1 fan… Again, I said congrats to him, I am just stating a few facts. plain and simple…. Why can’t you agree with me that this was nothing but a PR move to gain profit? do you know anything about economics? the team SUCK!!! why the need to name him captain? Because the name is catchy and still in a lot of fans’ mind as of right now, so why not act on it in order to gain money? do you think the wilpons care about the man being hurt and probably not even start playing until weeks in the season? No, they saw it as an opp to make money and went with it, now not only they can sell the captain America brand, but also the Mets Captain as well… If you’re not a mets fan, you can always root for captain America, either way the wilpons win.
Ohh, and i’ll ask you to please not insult me or the CORE, I don’t use nor never have use foul language towards you ok… This is a public website and everyone is entitle to their opinion, if you don’t like mines then move on from it…
Ignora I mean Alex,
Since when does your personal conjecture equal fact? Many gave you congrats for your DR team and said not one negative word while you GLOATED like the bully you are. No one mentioned the fact that last tournament your vaunted DR team MAILED it in and got beat Antartica or something like that. No one made fun of Hanley (the biggest dog in the sport) getting hurt and being out for 2+ months. Please grow a pair and just leave this nonsense alone. We all get it. You Hate Wright, You Hate the Mets! And you pretty much hate America! Go back to cueva and leave the rest of the world alone. I
Moving on sloathsburgh…. I have no desire to engage with you as I don’t want to get banned.
Shame you guys conduct yourselves like this on such a great mets board,
Agenda. Agenda. Everyone has an agenda. Its a conspiracy. Agenda.
Alex, we are baseball fans. We don’t have an agenda. We have opinions. We like some players, don’t like others. We love the Mets.
That’s it.
If the dugout argument equates to Wright “almost punching TC in the face” then I think its safe to say Jose untucking his shirt during his little argument with Jerry and/or after every Mets win equates to almost stripping naked and running across the field nude.
LOL…that would have been entertaining.
Why you dirty little girl! LOL
While I will congratulate him…These things often turn out to be a curse for the guy who gets it not a blessing…
Bad time to name him captain when he opted to risk his readiness for opening day to play injured for Team USA.
Long time, Captain America + Captain of the mets = Profit for the wilpons. It was a genius PR move to promote something for the 2013 NY Mets. Now they’ve got their money maker to somehow trick fans into coming to the game to see him, we all know how proud one can be to be named captain of a sinking ship… Hey David, the titanic is sinking, hereby I name you captain of the ship!!!
serious question.
Let’s say in 2014 the Mets are playing in the wildcard game. Mets are down 3-2 with runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs in the 9th inning.
Do you root for him to get a hit and win the game, advancing the Mets into the playoffs or do you root for him to get out so you can complain about him?
Of course he doesn’t!!!
1. He’s proven he’s not a Met Fan.
2. DWright could discover the cure for cancer, aids, famine, and bring world peace and Mr. Misanthrope68 would still hate him because that is what HATERs do.
3. What would he have to pick on and gripe about, he’s clearly a bully who isn’t happy unless he’s unhappy and attempting to make everyone else half as miserable as he is.
Do you root for him to get a hit and win the game, advancing the Mets into the playoffs or do you root for him to get out so you can complain about him?”
I root for him to get a hit of course, now, I’ll flip that question to you, and please be truthful, do you honestly believe that if that’s the case and situation that he’ll come trough???????
depends on the situation and how he’s been playing lately, but most likely I’d think he’d come through.
Oleo, it’s cool, lie to me all you want, but don’t lie to yourself. you just said the situation yet now you said depends how he’s playing? either way, good for you, but I am sure if you do a poll, not many will concur.
Congrats DWright! Well Deserved! Proud to have you rep my favorite team!
Ah Joe D. I’m laughing with you.
Congrats to DDubs. A nice honor. But the truth is a captain isn’t made or named. He just is. The title is only meaningful if its recognizing a fact that already is. And none of us Wright fans nor the he-man Mets haters club can speak to that. The only opinions that matter are his teammates.
I said the same thing yesterday. Naming captains is for the fans and media. Wright was already the captain based on player and coaches comments.
Exactly. The guys in the club house are the ones who decide who their captain is. This is just a show for us.
At the time, Randolph said there wasn’t a need for a captain because of the veteran influence. Then came the Jerry Manuel era, but the team was so bad it seemed like a futile gesture”
Lmao, so now that the team is actually worse is the right time to make him captain? jajajajajaja!
This article is a joke… BTW, thank god you updated this article, last night I read this and almost vomit, but you seemed to have erased that part where you mention “Captain for the past 4 years” because, of course, I came up with my 4 years numbers since he’s been “Captain” according to the author:
559 G 2405 PA 329 R 602 HITS 139 DBL 9 TRPLS 74 HR 329 RBI 510 K 290 BA 372 OBP 470 SLUG%
His Average has been 18 HR and 82 RBI per season, ohhhhhh, and the mets record since according to you he’s been the unofficial Captain: 300 WINS and 328 LOSSES
NOVEMBER 2008 From the leader of the IMMORTALS:
Let me preface this post by saying David Wright is my favorite Met by far. Okay, that said, let me proceed with the utmost of caution…
On the surface, David Wright had a phenomenal year at the plate, particularly in the RBI department. In 2009 he drove in 124 runners, so no complaints there, right?
Well forgive me for probably standing all alone on this one gripe, but it just seemed that every time David Wright came up with guys in scoring position and we needed a huge hit, he either struck out or popped up most of the time. Come on, you saw it too, didn’t you?
I came across an interesting stat while reading a Peter Gammons article this morning. Guess who led the National League in at-bats with runners in scoring position?
Give up? It’s yours truly, David Wright… who led the league with a whopping 189 at-bats with runners in scoring position. What was his batting average in those 189 at-bats? A very disappointing .243.
Imagine if Wright eased up on the pressure he puts on himself, and just batted like David Wright normally bats?
David Wright is a career .306 hitter, but he absolutely becomes somebody else when the pressure is on. It’s why I’ve always protested the fact that he is our number three hitter.
I know, I know, me thinks you protest too much…
Look, there’s nothing wrong with trying to improve certain aspects of the Mets offense with just a little tweak. For two straight seasons we failed to make the post season by just one game.
One game… One hit… One more RBI…
Maybe in a few years, Wright can become patient enough to be the number three hitter, but until then, the five spot looks more appropriate for him.
I love Wright, but the Mets are handling him all wrong.
Thanks to Major Mangu for linking this post….
Before blaming it on the stadium…and the lack of protection…whenever Wright went through a power drought they blamed it on the 2006 ASG Home Run Derby !
http://www.metstoday.com/358/player-notes/whats-wrong-with-wright/
LMAO
And after the 2009 all kinds of excuses have emerged for Captain America…
He got beaned in the head
Stadium is too big
Stadium is getting to his head
Everyone is injured
He had a bad back
It’s omar’s fault
They’re not pitching to him
It’s Hojo’s fault
He changed his swing
Alex, are you having a bad day?
Russell, Not at all… I am actually having an awesome morning thanks to the lord. You? How’s your day going?
just another beautiful day in these United States!
Plenty of Wright haters bought into that silly “HR derby ruined him” thing
You had to dig back 5 years to find that post? I admire your tenacity but am amazed at what great lengths you go through to put this guy down. One day maybe you’ll tell all of us how it is that the best position player we ever had came to be your public enemy number one.
You had to dig back 5 years to find that post? ”
Major Mangu is responsible for it. can’t take away his finding. but hey, all in good of the post right… The CORE salute him to greater lenght
Least significant news in sports history.
Congrats to DWright. Well deserved.
You have to give him some credit for wanting to stay with this organization for the duration of his career. .
Well, to be fair, I get your point about giving him credit for wanting to stay, but I think $138 million is more credit than he deserve wouldn’t you say? For a player to average 290 18 82 the last 4 yearscombine with below avg speed and an above avg glove and still manage to make $138 million is astonishing enough I think
Not really b/c I’m willing to bet had he went FA, he’d get at least that and maybe more from whatever team he decided to sign with.
That’s what every outsider in baseball said as well so I would have to agree that some money was left on the table. That being said, for Wright it was still a good move because if he had a down year this year that number could have decreased.
Considering the mets won’t be contender for the next 2 years, what was the point of them offering him that contract? at the rate we are we would’ve been better off trading him, letting him play out the contract and get the draft picks, or trade him midseason… Instead, starting next year, we’ll pay him $20 million per for season for production we won’t get out of him..
- Given the options, what’s your preferred choice for who would have played third this season and beyond?
- Aren’t you one of those fans who generally doesn’t like trading for prospects b/c – as you say – more often than not they flame out and they’re not really worth anything until they actually make it to the majors and contribute?
- What are you basing your opinion of ‘ we’ll pay him $20 million per for season for production we won’t get out of him.’ on?
Yeah, there are two very reasonable sides to this story. I can understand the desire to trade him yet we have no idea what the actual trade value would have been. I also understand the desire to re-sign him especially during rebuilding.
All that is besides the point though, I have yet to read one respected guy in the industry say it was an overpay and I have read and heard plenty say that he left money on the table. That’s logical and again it’s good for both sides that they did it early.
How much could he have left on the Table?
First he got an 8 Year deal which NO ONE was going to match….
Second, Other than the cheap first year (most of which is deferred) He is making 20 Mil per until 2019 where he turns 36 dropping to 15M and 12M when he is 37 and 38 and probably close to retirement…
If you ask me he probably got Market Value only at a length much longer than the Market would have given him.
First, I said he would get at least the contract the Mets gave him – translation, I don’t believe it was an overpay.
Second: ‘ the 8 year deal included the option year they already picked up. So we’re really talking a 7 year deal in FA, which he would have been end of 2013 had the Mets not extended him. 6-7 years? I think he would have got that.
Just about every contract 6 years plus for someone 30 and older is a gamble. You’re probably paying for the bulk of the production in the early years and crossing your fingers you get some production in the last couple of years. Same with any lengthy contract for any player.
6 Years ONLY if he has competing bidders but that 6th year only happens if they continue to bid AFTER the money maxxed out….
To make what he is making now he would have to go up to 24+Mil per to make what he is making now…
Thats Pujols and Fielder money and as good as Wright is he isn’t at that pay scale….
I think he got the Per year money the market would have given him but he got those extra years and that 27 Mil.
Most likely he would have gotten a 5 year with an option year at that price…
He didn’t leave money but he didn’t get overpayed (IMO) either…It was about Wright for him…
Pretty much agree with everything here, Metsie.
Although if there was a bidding war between a few teams I think he would have got 6 years guaranteed easily.
Yup, he would have at least gotten his 6 year contract. I would say you were looking at something around 6/120 plus an option. Basically his AAV would have went from 17 to 20M. Not significant but money left on the table for sure.
Wright already was signed for 2013 so really it was a 7 year extension, and they renegotiated DOWN and DEFERRED money from the existing year.
Got to look at what zimmerman and longoria signed for. As well as which big spenders needed a 3B. That will give you a good snapshot of his market value.
Longoria is a different case because that was basically like Wright signing a life time extension the first time around instead of waiting until near 30.
REALLY???? Based on what exactly? How do you know what the market would’ve been for him? hard to tell that he would’ve gotten that much imho, specially with teams holding and locking up their YOUNG stars quicker than before..
See TRS’s comment above.
That’s what I’m basing it on.
Carl Crawford sure had a hard time getting $142 million for 7 years, and Werth really had a hard time getting that 7 year $126 million. Neither guy has half the resume Wright has, and pretty much every GM said that if Wright would get a better offer then the one he signed with the mets.
Wright signed with the mets for 7 years $122 million ( his option for 2013 was already $16million guaranteed). So let’s play Devils advocate, wright collects his 16mil this year goes to free agency, and signs, you think he gets less than $122 million. Stop being so foolish, this is the real world of baseball economics, get used to it.
Congrats to David. If we are going to have a captain he is the guy for now. But in reality this is pretty meaningless to the team and the fans. More about publicity than anything else for Mets management. There is a reason there are only two other captains in baseball (jeter and kornerko)….that is they are unnecessary. It should have no effect on Wright or his teammates and if it does it doesn’t much about them. Also was the team under Jerry manuel any worse than this squad the past few years. I think not.
Poor David,
As if he didn’t have enough troubles already here at MMO, it’s now only become more intensified by his being named the team captain.
Don’t take the job, David – you’ll hate it!
Listen everyone, we don’t know why Alex feels the way he does about Wright, and we can certainly question him about it, but no need to insult him. He’s entitled to his opinions just like the rest of us, outlandish as they may be at times.
Joe, you know full well he doesn’t just express his opinions. He attacks. He accuses. He makes it about the person commenting and not the subject of the comment.
But you’re right, he’s allowed his nut job points of view. And aren’t we allowed to point out the absurdity of his statements?
And by the way, we do know why he feels the way he does about Wright, don’t we?
“we do know why he feels the way he does about Wright, don’t we?”
Yes. But for the sake of all lets just move on.
Facts… I present them all the time when I am making a point. I have been 100% about wright since 2008. again, Maniac and even TRS and MNJ can prove that the same thing Joe D said on hs article about wright was the very same thing we got banned for.
Actually Alex, WE got banned because every single post turned into this same garbage. Write a post about Willie, turns into Wright/Omar. Write a post about Reyes, turns into Wright/Omar. I apologize that it’s came to that here as well and I will do my best to refrain. I just hope that the same thing doesn’t occur here were every conversation turns into Wright and or Alderson.
No, you got banned because you wanted to debate everyone and everybody.. Kinda like what you do here. We on the other hand got banned because we were bold enough to criticize and point out the flaws on the Golden Boy…
but again, no remorse or regret because I came here and been here since 2008 when it was just a few of us here.
Think what you want but I have Cerrone’s own words as to why ALL of us were banned and why he completely closed down the comment section.
I too am glad to have moved on because it helped this place take off and lead to TRDM as well.
Enough of this conversation though.
Well, once I got banned I got reinstated and then I found this site, kept posting for a while but the desire was gone, I didn’t want to be there once they banned mr bill from there as i felt it was unjust and uncall for, you on the other hand have never change your ways or debating and arguing and butting in with everyone..
Alex, I am pretty sure you never changed your ways either. So if anything we are consistent.
Congratulations to Captain America on a very well-deserved honor.
Unlike the faux-captain across town, David is actually more of an active and vocal leader who takes an emphatic stand on important issues like PEDS, which Jeter has regrettably always refused to take a strong position on (kind of understandable since so many of his teammates have been big juicers!).
David has better production in his career too – even though he’s always played in pitchers parks and, generally, in weaker lineups and on weaker teams, unlike the faux-captain.
Wright may not be NY’s most famous baseball captain, but he is the most deserving!
And thanks to Hampton, Phillips and Ricciardi for making it all possible — Hampton for the draft pick, Phillips for drafting Wright, and Ricciardi for turning down a Wright trade proposal from Phillips!
Clutch? Did anyone say clutch? A few facts …
Close and Late
Wright .829 OPS
Cano .811 OPS
Jeter .794 OPS
High Leverage
Wright – .911 OPS
Jeter .826 OPS
Cano .752 OPS
BR Clutch
Wright 0.2
Jeter -0.8
Cano -6.0
Enuff said! LOL @Cano.
Jeter HOF
Wright Ways to go 30% of making it
Cano Building up resume 45% chance of making it
I would say Cano and Wright at this point are about equal.
Cano: .308 .351 .503 .854
Wright: .301 .381 .506 .887
That’s awfully close. Advantage to Wright in the OBP but that could be because of lineups as much as anything.
Also, keep in mind on BR that the most similar batters to Cano is Utley then Wright. Then most similar through age 29 the #1 comparison is Wright and then at age 29 the most similar is Wright.
For all intents and purposes their career numbers are a wash.
Not so close if park adjusted:
Wright 136 OPS+
Cano 123 OPS+
Wright has a significant advantage.
But that would also assume that most HOF voters are using park adjusted OPS+.
A good number of HOF voters are more savvy about stats today. But even if many are not, they use things like character and subjectivity to decide their votes. With the rep that Captain America has built up among the media, who do you think is going to get extra credit for that?
Metro, I can’t tell you what the HOF voters are even thinking right now much less in 15 years.
Agreed. But in 15 years I have no doubt many more writers will be looking at advanced stats than they do today.
I would imagine so but who knows what stats that will even be? Think how much stats have changed in the last 15 years.
They will be even better. And more accurate. The Sabermetric community never stands still.
Also, it’s the older writers who are more resistant to advanced stats. Many of them will have expired by then.
But just because they are better or more accurate doesn’t mean they will identify the same people as top of their class either.
TRS, I wouldn’t expect them to. By being better they are more likely to weed out or better identify the marginal candidates.
I think you are missing what I am saying. I am saying that by that time those same stats that say Wright is better than Cano may say the opposite. We really have no idea.
No, TRS, I fully understand that was what you were getting at. That’s fine with me — as long as the stats are more accurate than today’s metrics.
For example, a cursory look at the stats today would show Wright has a slight edge over Cano. But look deeper at clutch and park-adjusted stats and the edge Wright has over Cano is even larger.
I would rather tomorrow’s stats be more accurate. No matter what the outcome. I expect in the future there will be better ways to calculate defense which is currently one of the weakest areas of sabermetrics.
Lmao, so by reading this: “They will be even better. And more accurate. The Sabermetric community never stands still.
Also, it’s the older writers who are more resistant to advanced stats. Many of them will have expired by then”
It’s confirm you’re a sabermetric gooner. .
There you have it, SaberMetro12
Alex, you are such a neanderthal that almost anyone with a modicum of appreciation for advanced stats is a “sabermetric gooner” to you.
Kid, Moving on…. Now I know the real reason why you’d even consider Jeter a bubble HOF.. You’re nothing but a kid with a calculator in your hand looking a box score, learn the game before talking to me… Until then, I have 0 desire to engage in any conversation with you…
Thanks.
Good. Move on and promise never to reply to one of my posts ever again in the future. OK?
Talk about kids! You are the most immature and rude poster on this website, never hesitating to start personally insulting other fans here. Even after Joe D. put in his stricter guidelines.
Good riddance!
SMH
And I’ll say it again — Many consider Biggio to be a bubble candidate and his stats are remarkably close to Jeter’s. So I guess all those writers who didn’t vote for Biggio are just kids with calculators too!
Hi Metro,
Actually, if Robin Yount could get in based on his performance, so could Biggio. Both had the longevity to get those 3,000 hits and I think that was the deciding factor for Yount. Also, I think Biggio had the better glove.
Is either player on the par for their era as those from times prior like, for example, Hall of Famers Louie Aparacio, Joe Morgan and Nellie Fox or could they be thought upon the lines of non Hall of Famers like Gary Templeton, Dick Groat and Dave Concepcion.
As said, the 3,000 hits could also be deceiving because it’s more about longetivty and more plate appearances.
Joey — I do believe Biggio will eventually get in. It’s just that many writers considered him a bubble candidate or even unworthy, and it wasn’t because of possible PEDS that they left him off their ballots, because they did vote for either Bagwell, Clemens, and Bonds.
Hopefully Piazza gets in next year. He was done an injustice, I feel. Tainted by being in the same induction class with Bonds and Clemens.
You may think Biggio is as good as Jeter but when it comes time to vote Jeter leads him in one category that makes him a slam dunk…
RINGS!
But Wright plays a position that is historically offensive and Cano one that is historically more glove than pop…
So the fact they are even in numbers is sort of irrelevent due to the position each plays…
There are a LOT of 3B who hit like Wright…Not many 2B who hit like Cano…
And that will bre a factor in any Hall voting.
LOL @ the idea Cano is ahead of Wright for HOF consideration. They are about equal now.
But here’s my prediction: This year, with a relatively weak lineup around him for the first time in his career, plus a weaker team, the pressure will be turned up and Cano will get fewer good pitches to hit. Cano will falter and will fall further behind Wright. Moreover, the prospects for the entire Yankee team in the near future don’t look so good, with increasing age and injuries and little help down on the farm. So Cano’s numbers won’t get any better in the near future either. He might do better if he leaves the Yankees for a strong team in a hitters park.
TRS, the thing you have to consider more than anything is the position. Not many 2B put up the #’s that Cano is putting. if you look at all the 2B in the HOF most of them have made it due to their ability to play defense, you can argue that Sandberg changed the position with his offensive game as well and Alomar with his all around game, but other than maybe Jackie and Morgan before them, 2B were known to be defensive players.
Well BR does that as well.
Of course it uses JAWS and WAR so I know you may not want to hear it. However, based on those stats 2B in the HOF have slightly better WAR than 3B.
Cano:
JAWS Second Base (31st), 34.8 career WAR/35.0 7yr-peak WAR/34.9 JAWS
Average HOF 2B (out of 19) = 66.0 career WAR/42.8 7yr-peak WAR/54.4 JAWS
Wright:
JAWS Third Base (28th), 39.1 career WAR/35.2 7yr-peak WAR/37.2 JAWS
Average HOF 3B (out of 12) = 64.9 career WAR/41.8 7yr-peak WAR/53.4 JAWS
DaHell is JAWS???? Isn’t that the movie????
A stat used to measure HOF worthiness. And it really doesn’t matter if you like that stat or if I like it. Fact is we know that some voters are already using it.
Still even if you don’t like it. There is always the fact that there are more 2B in the HOF than 3B.
JAWS= Just Another Weak Sabermetric
Also, keep 2 things in mind. Don’t undersell 2B. There are guys like Hornsby there as well. 2nd keep in mind that 3B there aren’t that many in the HOF to start with and it used to be known as a defensive position as well.
Schmidt was clearly the top of the offensive class and I would put Brett there as well. I would say in some order
Schmidt, Matthews, Brett, Chipper, but after those 5 does Wright really trail those other guys offensively by that much?
Schmidt, Matthews, Brett, Chipper, but after those 5 does Wright really trail those other guys offensively by that much?”
YES. If you’d like to get technical i’ll explain many things those players have that wright doesn’t. Can’t believe you made me do this:
Schmidt 500+ HR 3x MVP 10 GG
Brett Won’t even put his stats nor tell you the type of player he was, I am sure you know what he did
Mathews 500+ HR consistent All Star 10 Times amongst top 20 MVP Including runner up twice
Boggs Same thing, one of the best pure hitters
Brooks Robinson Best defensive 3rd baseman of all time, Clutch Playoffs performer, MVP, Consistent All Star
Do me and us a favor, Don’t ever disrespected any of those players again ok. Thanks
Read!
“but after those 5 does Wright really trail those other guys offensively by that much”
I said after those 5 does he trail the other guys offensively by that much. Can you prove he does?
Wright: .301 .381 .506 .887
Boggs: .328 .415 .443 .858
Santo: .277 .362 .464 .826
Robinson: .267 .322 .401 .723
Molitor: .306 .369 .448 .817
Baker: .307 .363 .442 .805
Collins: .294 .343 .409 .752
McGraw: .334 .466 .410 .876
Kell: .306 .367 .414 .781
Traynor: .320 .362 .435 .797
Lindstrom: .311 .351 .449 .800
Again, as I said does he trail the others on the list offensively by that much?
Dude, again, as you said, not many 3rd baseman have made the HOF, the ones who have made it have been at some point pegged as the best 3rd baseman in the game and or have put HOF worthy numbers on either side of the ball. Wright at no point has been consider the best 3rd baseman in the game, not has put HOF numbers on either side of the ball… Remember this, he’s been to the ASG 6 times right but he started 4 times in a row with the lineup he had beltran and Delgado, since they left 2 times and one has been as a reserve. You give the guy more credit than he deserves. He’s got long ways to go to be a HOF, and judging by what we’ve seen the past 4 years, I doubt he does make it
I think we just need to leave this alone. I already said he isn’t likely to be a HOF unless he continues this path for a long time, basically doubling his current numbers.
However, you still aren’t answering the question so I will just agree to move on instead of playing move the target game.
Good, move on…. Say hello to salty gary for me at the desert for me..
If I can ever get out of Gotham I sure will.
Yankees captain Derek Jeter had some very complimentary things to say today about the newest member of MLB’s captain club, David Wright:
Your thoughts on the Mets naming Wright captain?
“Good for him. I’ve played with him in the WBC and played against him a lot. Good for him. He’s represented that organization as well as anyone throughout the years. I know he takes a big part of the responsibility over there. I’m happy for him.”
Will his responsibilities change?
“First of all, just because you’re named captain doesn’t mean that you’ve got to do something that you don’t normally do. He should continue to do what he’s doing. They named him captain for a reason, so it’s not now all of a sudden that you turn into someone that you’re not. I think he’ll do just fine. He just needs to continue to do the things that made him successful up until this point.”