I have to admit, when going online Thursday afternoon and reading the breaking news that David Wright would be undergoing neck surgery to repair a herniated disk, I paused for a moment and reflected on what that news meant.
Yes, the news meant that Wright will more than likely miss the remainder of the 2016 season, but it also might spell the beginning of the end for the 33-year-old. Not only does Wright have this herniated disk in his neck, he’s also dealing with spinal stenosis, which had many already fearing that he wouldn’t live out the remainder of his contract.
Wright still has $87 million owed to him through the 2020 season, but many fans and writers feel that there is simply better odds of winning the Power-ball than Wright playing out his deal. The Mets do have insurance on his contract, where they can recoup 75 percent of his contract once he misses more than 60 consecutive games.
So while the Mets’ brain trust meets and discusses the plans going forward as to who should shoulder the third base duties for the remainder of the season and potentially the future, it’s hard not to get a bit sentimental about our captain, who has endeared himself to the fans and media alike with his winning attitude, his humble nature, and All-Star years he compiled for our team.
It feels like ages ago that Wright was making his Major League debut on July 21, 2004 against the then Montreal Expos as a 21-year-old kid. Wright progressed through the minor league ranks and was regularly featured as a top prospect by Baseball America, garnering the attention of fans who were hoping that Wright could give the Mets a cornerstone third baseman that they haven’t had since Robin Ventura for three seasons and before that Howard Johnson in the late eighties to early nineties.
Wright went on to blossom into one of the best players in the game, and from his rookie year in 2004 through the 37 games played this year, Wright amassed a line of .296/.376/.491 for an OPS of .867. He slugged 242 home runs during that time, and had an OPS+ of 133. For similar comparisons, take a look at what other prominent third baseman have done in similar time frames.
Adrian Beltre-2004-2016: .294/.344/.497 .840 OPS, 324 home runs, .123 OPS+
Evan Longoria-2008-2016: .271/.347/.488 .835 OPS, 221 home runs, .129 OPS+
Scott Rolen-1997-2008: .283/.371/.504 .875 OPS, 268 home runs, .126 OPS+
Wright would also go on to eclipse Mets’ records and become the team league leaders in a myriad of categories, including runs batted in (970), walks (761), doubles (390), runs scored (949), hits (1777), and extra-base-hits (658). Wright remains 270 games shy from tying the Mets’ all time leader in games played, which is still held by Ed Kranepool.
As an avid fan who watched Wright be the elder statesman on this team, who could’ve pouted and demanded to be traded to a contender, who day in and day out stood by his locker after good and bad games, he epitomized everything you could’ve hoped to have in a baseball player. He’s the type of player that a father would by a jersey of for his son or daughter, and be proud to root for because he played the game with dignity and class. There was nary a scandal with Wright that got the attention of Page Six in the newspapers, he simply left it all out on the diamond.
Wright released a statement through the team Thursday, speaking on how upset he was that the rehab did not suffice, and has to have the surgery.
“After trying every way to get back on the field, I’ve come to realize that it’s best for me, my teammates and the organization to proceed with surgery at this time,” Wright said in a statement released by the team. “My neck simply did not respond to any of the treatments of the past few week. While incredibly frustrating and disappointing, I am determined to make a full recovery and get back on the field as soon as I can to help the Mets win.”
It’s valiant of him to hope to try and get back onto the field, and of course he cannot say that his career is over and thanks for the memories. But the idea has to have crept into his mind, he has to be thinking long term for his health, and not just for the four more years on his contract. David was married in 2013 to long time girlfriend Molly Beers, and surely would want to start a family one day. If his back and neck keep taking hits on the field, it would be awful to think that he wouldn’t be able to bend down and pick up his kids and play with them. I’m sure he’s receiving council on what the long term plan should be, but in the mean time he’s preparing to give it a try and get back to wearing the number five jersey as quickly as possible.
I’m not alone when I wish David all the best and to a speedy recovery. As a fan, it’s been a pleasure rooting for him, because he made it easy to do so. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Wright on several occasions growing up, and every single time he was gracious and accommodating, which can be somewhat of a rarity in today’s game where superstar egos get in the way. I hope Wright finds solace in the fact that the organization supports him, his teammates care for him, and the fans will always have a special place in their hearts for the captain.
