David Wright Should Be Named Captain In 2008
We all know that one day in the near future David Wright will be named captain of the New York Mets. It may be in two years or it may even take three years, but it's going to happen.
I think it should happen now... maybe in spring training before the team heads up north to embark on the new season.
It's not that I want to rush the process, but after a disastrous end to last season and an off-season that has yet to fire up the fans, this team needs something to rally around, and naming David Wright our captain and emotional leader will bring joy to the masses.
His work ethic is unquestioned and he continues to improve year after year as a ballplayer. In the past the Mets have always chosen captains who were past their prime and I think it's time we finally name a captain who can lead both on and off the field. By naming David Wright captain, we give him the respect that he so richly deserves.
His stats speak for themselves and his 30/30 season last year is just a small glimpse of what is yet to come. He will not cost the Wilpons any additional money and we do not have to give up any prospects to get this team the leader it so desperately needs.
We all know that Willie Randolph is not the on-field, vocal leader we need, and he readily admits it. Paul Lo Duca tried to do it, but most of the team never took him seriously. David Wright however, will succeed where Randolph and Lo Duca could not, and is the perfect man for the job.
Unlike many of the other Mets... win or lose, David Wright stood tall and faced the media each and every day. He remained optimistic right down to the last day of the season even though the weight of what was happening could be seen in his eyes. He feels what we feel. He is a role model for the young and an inspiration for us all.
The Mets desperately need some positive vibes. Naming Wright captain will do just that. It may be just the spark this team needs to feel good about themselves once again.
The Mets have an opportunity do something really good and really positive for the team. They have an opportunity to erase the bad memories of last season. I urge Omar and Willie to consider all the positives of such an action and follow their hearts.
We all know he is ready, so why wait?
Comments
This is a great idea. As far as I am concerned David acted like a captain during the late season slide last year. In my opinion the only other candidate for captain would be Carlos Beltran because he always faced the media during the skid too. But id love to see David Wright named captain for the 2008 season.
Posted by: B_Grease | December 22, 2007 10:55 AM
I agree with this post 100%. D-Wright's a stand up guy who's not afraid to face the music and say what needs to be said.
Who was team captain last season?
Posted by: Drew | December 22, 2007 10:58 AM
Drew, there hasn't been an official captain since John Franco in 2004.
Posted by: Drew | December 22, 2007 11:28 AM
I AGREE 1000%...
Posted by: pal88 | December 22, 2007 11:34 AM
You're kidding right??? We went through this in the summer. The Mets collapsed in Sept. remember?? LoDuca & Glavine are gone yes, 2 veterans that provided leadership but David is too young to be Captain. What have we won??
Nothing!!!! Not like Jeter who had several World Series titles under his belt, then he was named Captain. If David has a monster year, the Mets go to the World Series then maybe Captain in 2009 when Pedro & Delgado's contracts expire. We can move into New Citi Field with a New Captain. You can't RUSH something like this!!!!
Posted by: tainoray | December 22, 2007 12:04 PM
Tainoray, your suggestion is ridiculous and your logic a little misplaced. Are you saying that the Mets cannot have a Captain unless they win a World Series first?? And what if that never happens?? Did the Yankees wait before making Thruman Munson a captain?? Answer=NO
David Wright for Captain!!
Posted by: Hal | December 22, 2007 12:13 PM
Perhaps a little young but the way he played makes up for that.
And the old time players do respect him in a big way.
Perhaps some may not give a hoot one way or the other, but I feel confident that the way he plays the game will show most of the team the proper way to go.
And just maybe he can give some one a little reminder in a good way that will not offend those who are not going all out at times.
Ya, after last years season I do feel it is the time to do it. But one thing for sure is that it can’t hurt the team if he is.
Posted by: fredsaid | December 22, 2007 12:53 PM
Hmmm, sounds like a good choice. David Wright is not only a good player, a great player by anybody's standards, but he is the kind of guy that kids and all of us can look up to. He is definitely ready for the job...
Posted by: Lisa C | December 22, 2007 12:54 PM
I think this is an excellent idea. David Wright, as young as he may be,has earned it.Not only through his stellar play on the field but his work in the community off of it.He is adored by Mets fans and respected throughout the league. If anyone should be Captain it's him. If the Mets wait until they win the World Series to name him Captain it would be a mistake.Waiting to win like the Yankees would be a mistake.I for one am tired of the Mets trying to be like their anal retentive brother across town...
Even if the Wilpons don't name him Captain, we can be sure that David Wright will always carry himself with the dignity and class the position demands.
Posted by: Adam Baker | December 22, 2007 01:48 PM
I think that David Wright is too young to become the captain of the Mets. He has only been in the league for four years. I think the start of the 2009 season and the opening of Citi Field, he should be named captain.
Posted by: Tyler | December 22, 2007 02:28 PM
Do you think that the captain title would put added pressure on him and screw up his on the field play. He does make a lot of trowing era's already.
Posted by: scott | December 22, 2007 02:34 PM
Screw Omar...
In David we Trust :D
Posted by: Johnny | December 22, 2007 02:50 PM
Tyler, I agree with you 100%
Posted by: Christian (MetsMan) | December 22, 2007 03:01 PM
No way Guys, David is my favorite player on the team and I don't see him as the captain yet. He has to show everyone what he can do and win a world series. Because we all know he can do it, but he has to show us first. After that I would name him team captain and lock him up for ten years.
Posted by: Joe | December 22, 2007 05:41 PM
Why wasn't David Wright named Captain in 2007??? Because Glavine, Beltran, Loduca, Martinez & Delgado were on the team & he was two young. David should not be named Captain in 2008 because he is still too young &Martinez, Beltran & Delgado are on the team. Next year Martinez & Delgado's contracts will expire, then maybe it will be time. Martinez is first ballot a Famer, so is Glavine. You cannot compare David Wrights career with Beltran & Delgado. HE IS TOO YOUNG!!!
Posted by: tainoray | December 22, 2007 06:18 PM
David Wright is certainly made to be Captain, but it's not up to us, nor should it be up to management to appoint him that so early in his career.
It should be the players who would need to vote him in. That would give him the respect of the veterans and curtail any possible friction.
But the Mets can do a lot worse than having David act on behalf on the players.
Posted by: Ferd C | December 22, 2007 06:45 PM
What does age have to do with being the leader of the team? It doesn't come with age, it comes with assuming that control and I think we can all agree that Wright has done that.
My only "problem" is I'd have to buy a new jersey with the C on it :)
Posted by: Fred | December 22, 2007 09:58 PM
He is the franchise and should be the Captain!!!
Posted by: #5 Capt | December 22, 2007 10:16 PM
David Wright should be the Captain of the Mets. Unofficially, he already is!
Posted by: Denise | December 22, 2007 10:49 PM
When the Mets stopped playing baseball last year two players kept playing everyday. Two players were crushed with every loss. Two players personified what all the fans wanted the team to be. They were Moises Alou and David Wright. I love Moises, but he isn't ours, David is. One player stayed in New York this offseason. One player had NY fundraisers this offseason. One player went on the Daily Show and apologized for the performance of the team. Screw age, and screw experience...Beltran, Delgado, Reyes, El Duque, Billy and even Willie, will never be a vocal leader of this team, David is already. This guy is the heart and soul of the team, he's the future and that shouldn't be taken lightly. If management makes him a captain, then it will just be a formality...he's the captain already.
Posted by: nate | December 23, 2007 12:32 AM
When the Mets stopped playing baseball last year two players kept playing everyday. Two players were crushed with every loss. Two players personified what all the fans wanted the team to be. They were Moises Alou and David Wright. I love Moises, but he isn't ours, David is. One player stayed in New York this offseason. One player had NY fundraisers this offseason. One player went on the Daily Show and apologized for the performance of the team. Screw age, and screw experience...Beltran, Delgado, Reyes, El Duque, Billy and even Willie, will never be a vocal leader of this team, David is already. This guy is the heart and soul of the team, he's the future and that shouldn't be taken lightly. If management makes him a captain, then it will just be a formality...he's the captain already.
Posted by: nate | December 23, 2007 12:33 AM
I think David is ready to be named team captain. David always spoke with the press no matter what, he was always playing his heart out until the last day. Off the field he is a great example. He was more than willing to move to another position when the A-Rod rumors were going wild. He puts the Mets first and foremost which is the type of captain this team needs.
Posted by: Greg | December 23, 2007 03:46 AM
You make a great point Ferd C is not up to us. If the players on his team want him to be Captain who are we to argue.
Posted by: tainoray | December 23, 2007 04:44 AM
I think, by far, David Wrights future is one of the brightest points of this team.
However, why does ANYONE have to be named a Captain on a TEAM?
I think its a silly title that means nothing more then an extra item sewn on a shirt.
The guys respect him, the fans respect him, his peers respect him, would the letter "C" really make any change?
I think not........
Just come and play.......
Posted by: Kate | December 23, 2007 03:35 PM