Updated on March 12 at 11:00 AM
Kevin Kernan of the New York Post caught my attention when he tweeted that Joe Torre has found his Derek Jeter in David Wright. He was referring his latest article this morning in which he writes that David Wright has emerged as a true leader for Team USA.
No matter how Team USA fares in the World Baseball Classsic, Wright’s performance is good for the Mets and good for his career. Now that Wright is surrounded by other talented players his talents are on display, as bright as a July Fourth fireworks show.
Wright is hitting .455 with a .571 on base percentage and .818 slugging percentage. He is a leader for manager Joe Torre in much the same way Derek Jeter was Torre’s captain in pinstripes. Fred Wilpon called Wright the Mets’ Jeter, and now Wright is Team USA’s Jeter.
“He’s everything you hoped he would be,” Torre said. “He just looks like that guy that you’d like to talk to or hang out with or have him on your team, and just to see the maturity and the presence he has in the clubhouse, in the lineup, he’s a very responsible player.“You know it’s not that he craves the spotlight, but he doesn’t shy away from it. What a special individual he is character-wise. I know we have a lot of talented players in all sports, but when you can sit there and just admire somebody for more than just his ability, that’s saying something, and I’m pleased to say that about David.’’
Read the rest of the article here.
Team USA has advanced to the Semi-Finals and faces a very tough Puerto Rican team today. The game will be broadcast live at 8:00 PM on MLB Network.
Originally Posted on March 10 at 9:30 AM
What a night for Team USA and David Wright at Chase Field last night as they beat Team Italy 6-2 in the World baseball Classic.
The difference maker was a tie-breaking grand slam off the bat of Wright that sent the crowd into a frenzy – and Twitter too. My tweet shortly after the blast said it all:
Hell Yeah!!! David Wright + Grand Slam + Team USA = Captain America! 😀
— Mets Merized Online (@MetsMerized) March 10, 2013
Wright barely missed a home run in his first at-bat when he launched one to the wall in right field in the second inning, but his fifth inning blast was a no-doubter and kept Team USA from being eliminated.
“It’s emotional,” Wright said. “You hear the ‘USA’ chants, you look up in the stands and you see the flags, you look in the dugout and you see ‘USA’ across the front of guys’ chests and across their hats, and you get caught up in the game and you get a little emotional.”
For Team USA, moving to the semi-finals is contingent on a victory over Team Canada today at Chase Field in the finale of Pool D of the World Baseball Classic. The game will be broadcast live at 4:00 PM on MLB Network.
