Photo by Ed Delany, MMO
The past, present and future faces of the Mets franchise crossed paths in the Clover Park press conference room on Wednesday. As Pete Alonso, fresh off signing a record-setting pre-arbitration contract, exited, a smiling David Wright walked in.
Wright faced the media and quipped, “You guys ready for the real stuff?”
The upcoming 2020 season represents the second full year post-retirement for the Mets’ franchise hit leader. He dropped into camp in Port St. Lucie on Sunday for a six-day visiting period.
“Coming down here gets the juices flowing again,” Wright said. “It’s like I’m away for enough time to really start missing it, wanting to talk baseball.”
Wright admitted that his role as Special Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer & General Manager doesn’t keep him regularly involved “by any stretch of the imagination,” but it’s clear that the organization sees immense value in the seven-time All-Star’s presence.
“Yesterday I got the opportunity to talk to the minor leaguers, then talk to the minor league hitting coaches, which I thoroughly enjoyed,” Wright said. “We were there for about 45 minutes just talking hitting. It just brought back that competitive fire that you miss when you’re away from it.
“Occasionally Brodie [Van Wagenen] or Allard [Baird] or Jared [Banner] will give me a call or shoot me a text wanting to pick my brain or run some ideas,” he continued. “I stay in touch with the front office, a lot of the players — some of my best friends are still in that clubhouse.”
In what has become a common theme around Mets camp this spring, manager Luis Rojas continues to draw rave reviews. While he is new to his position, a novice to the organization is the last way anyone would describe Rojas. Wright and Rojas linked up for eight games with the St. Lucie Mets in 2015 and became acquainted in this very setting, across multiple spring trainings.
“I was hurt a lot toward the end of my career so I did a lot of rehab, and I got to play a lot for Luis,” Wright said. “It’s great because he never gets too high, never gets too low, he’s like the same guy. To have that kind of presence, and to have the baseball background that he has, and just that even demeanor, I think it’s going to be very beneficial.
“Just from the time I’ve been here he’s cornered me, asking questions. He wants to be a sponge. He wants to take in as much as he can. He’s certainly come into a good situation with this pitching staff, the additions to the bullpen, and hopefully some of the next steps that these offensive guys can take. It’s a pretty exciting time.”
Wright concluded by offering his thoughts on a potential sale of the team.
“I’ll say this — the way that the Katz and the Wilpon family has treated me and my family has been like an extended family. I guess it’s a strange thought for me because this is all that I know. Like I’ve said throughout my career I wish the best for both families and if that’s what’s best that’s what’s best. I’ve said it from day one that I judge people by how I’ve seen them treat others and it’s been first-class since I’ve been here.”
