Bob Klapisch of NewJersey.com spoke with David Wright about the state of the Mets and about his decision to forego a more lucrative deal in free agency so that he could stay in New York and continue playing for the team he grew up rooting for.
Wright is bound by a sense of loyalty and his desire all along was to remain with the Mets and get through these tough times and be here when the team returns to contention and back to glory.
“To be part of the up and down and then back up, that’s what I’m thinking about,” says Wright. “To me, that would be pretty cool.”
In December 2012, Wright signed an extension with the organization, which meant that he would remain in a Mets uniform until at least 2020.
The last time that Wright tasted the post season was in 2006, when the Mets came one pitch away from reaching the World Series.
Wright remembers the thrill of it and wants to experience it again. He understood it would take some time before some of the younger prospects like Zack Wheeler would be ready, but he believed in what Sandy Alderson was building.
“If my goal was to win right this second, then obviously, I would’ve been a free agent,” Wright said.
“To me, it was more important to show loyalty to the Mets. I grew up rooting for them, they drafted me when I was 18, they’re the only team I’ve ever played for.”
The Mets third baseman also sees 90 wins as a good goal for the team. “We’ve got good players,” Wright said. “I love the fact that Sandy is confident in us. I think 90 is challenging, it’s attainable, and it’s a good starting point for us.”
“I think 90 is a good starting point for giving us something to shoot for and getting guys to understand that mediocrity is not going to be acceptable.”
A captain is not supposed to abandon his ship anyway, right? I’m glad he stuck around and as we continue to develop a new young core of talented players, it won’t be long until it’s smooth sailing again for the Orange and Blue.
(AP Photo, Ed Betz)
