OTD 2012: David Wright Claims Mets RBI Record

When David Wright entered his eighth full big-league season, several significant franchise records were in his sights. He’d already attained the most doubles in Mets history. In addition, he’d soon be atop the hits and runs scored lists.

The RBI record was his when he delivered a go-ahead two-run homer off the Marlins’ Mark Buehrle in the sixth inning at Citi Field. The captain’s career was full of exhilarating moments.

Wright took an 0-2 offering from the left-hander into the newly built Party City Deck in left-center field to surpass Darryl Strawberry for the most runs driven in by a Met.

“It felt good to do it like that in the game to give us that lead,” he said. It would eventually become a 5-1 win for New York behind the pitching of R.A. Dickey.

“It’s just a testament of his fortitude,” Dickey said. “That’s fun to watch as a teammate.”

For five games, Strawberry and Wright — two of the franchise’s greatest homegrown talents — shared the record at 733 once David matched Darryl on April 18 against Atlanta. He attained the all-time RBI title with nearly the same efficiency. The third baseman overcame the mark in his 1121st game. It took Strawberry 1109.

Wright tallied 100 RBIs or better five times — including four straight years from 2005-08. He matched the single-season record of 124 first established by Mike Piazza in 2008.

Wright would eventually set the bar at 970. Unfortunately, 2012 was his last healthy season and, therefore, his final year of vintage production. An All-Star for the sixth time, Wright played in 156 games and hit .306 with 21 homers while driving in 93. His 144 OPS+ was his highest since 2007 — arguably the best year in a 14-year career entirely spent in the orange and blue.

More records would fall in his favor as the 2012 season progressed. On June 5, Wright had scored more than any player in club history, and on September 25, he became the Mets’ hit king. By the time he retired after 2018, he was first in at-bats, walks, and total bases and had the highest bWAR among position players at 49.2.