Credit: USA TODAY
He exuded youthful energy and was also mature beyond his years. That was true even up to his final playing days with a condition that derailed a Hall of Fame career and could sap the kid spirit out of anyone. It’s hard to believe David Wright is now 40. And while that thought makes us feel a little older, here are some memories that have aged very well.
Welcome to the Majors – July 21, 2004
Wright rooted for the Mets while growing up in the Tidewater area of Virginia. He blossomed in the Mets’ minor league system and never gave the organization reason to doubt he was a cornerstone-in-waiting. He went hitless in his big-league debut at Shea Stadium against the Expos, but made several impressive plays in the field. The necessary tools — in play and in presentation — to become the third base fixture and team leader were clearly evident.
Albeit a small sample size of 69 games and 263 at-bats, Wright finished the year with a .293 batting average, 14 home runs, and 40 RBIs while carrying himself in a manner unusual for a 21-year-old. It was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal 2004 season for the Mets.
One-handed, Barehanded Catch – August 9, 2005
Who needs a glove? Wright put out that question while providing the greatest defensive highlight of his career during his first full big-league season. San Diego’s Brian Giles lifted a soft fly ball over Wright’s head in the seventh inning at Petco Park — certain to be a hit into left field. It would’ve been challenging enough to make the catch with a mitt if he could even race back and do that. As he darted back for the ball, he noticed the trajectory and where it was headed — leaving him little choice about his next course of action. Wright reached out with his throwing hand. While falling down, he held on to the ball before landing on the grass in shallow left. It was one of the best grabs you’ll ever see, by a Met or anyone.
Besting Mariano – May 19, 2006
Who could forget this? The drive to deep center field, leaping several times as it drifted toward the warning track, and celebrating after it went beyond the reach of Johnny Damon. As the ball landed by the wall, it scored Paul Lo Duca and capped a thrilling victory in one of the best games in Subway Series history — a series that carried extra significance for the Mets. They enjoyed one of their best seasons in recent memory thanks in part to the emergence of their new face of the franchise.
Wright encountered Mariano Rivera with the score tied at six in the bottom of the ninth. On a 2-2 pitch, he took the Yankee closer’s patented cutter down in the zone to create a signature moment in his career thus far.
A Homer Happy All-Star Debut – July 10 & 11, 2006
We’ll temporarily ignore that after the Home Run Derby, Wright’s second half power numbers tailed off significantly. But that night (and the next) was a national coming-out party for David. He wound up second to Ryan Howard in the derby. But then no one told him the contest was over. Wright came up for his first All-Star Game at-bat and hit a liner off former Met Kenny Rogers in the second inning that cleared the left-field fence. Wright was one of six Mets selected to the NL squad in a season when the East was already a runaway by the unofficial midway point.
Welcome to the Club – September 16, 2007
His third base predecessor (and hitting coach), Howard Johnson did it three times. Darryl Strawberry accomplished it too. Now it was Wright’s turn to enter the 30-homer, 30-steal fraternity. An opposite-field homer against the Phillies made it official and made David the first 30-30 Met since HoJo in 1991. While September 2007 was a month to forget for his team, Wright did not falter. In fact, he had a 1.034 OPS over the regular season’s final 27 games and would’ve made a strong case for NL MVP if the Mets hadn’t totally cratered.
Only Walk-off Homer – August 7, 2008
He held the Mets walk-off record before it was broken by Wilmer Flores, but only once did a game-ender leave the yard. It came against the San Diego Padres and couldn’t have come at a better time for player or club. Both Wright and the Mets were struggling. New York had lost five of six and manager Jerry Manuel even considered sitting David for the afternoon start. But Wright proved his worth with three hits including a two-out, two-run homer off Heath Bell.
Christening Citi Field – April 13, 2009
Who better to get the first Mets home run at Citi Field? And how ironic too, considering the original canyon-like dimensions hamstrung Wright’s power numbers. After he laced a double down the right field line in the bottom of the first for the Mets’ inaugural hit in the new ballpark, Wright came up with two on and two out in the fifth. He had enough lift and distance on his drive to send it about 390 feet and over “The Great Wall of Flushing.” Unfortunately, the San Diego Padres played spoiler in the home opener.
The Hit King – September 26, 2012
He had already become the leader in just about every significant offensive category in team history: RBIs, runs scored, extra-base hits, and total bases. Just over eight years into his career, David surpassed Ed Kranepool for the most hits by a New York Met. But it didn’t happen in typical David Wright fashion. It was a dribbler down the third-base line. The attempt to get Wright at first sailed wide and he advanced to second on the throwing error. But they all count the same. And after that infield single, the count was a historic 1,419.
Captain Wright – March 21, 2013
Ever since his first day in the big leagues, Wright embodied the qualities that make a team captain. Eight full seasons into his career, and having signed a lengthy (and lucrative) contract earlier that off-season, the Mets made it official. In many ways, he’s kept it ever since. Wright became the fourth player in franchise history to have the honor, joining Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, and John Franco. It was the first time anyone held the title since Franco left the team in 2004. A leader by example, he exemplified professional success and personal character which earned respect from those in the clubhouse and throughout the league.
All-Star Host – July 16, 2013
On a night the Mets hosted an All-Star Game for the first time in almost a half-century, Wright participating in his seventh mid-summer classic, served as an unofficial ambassador. His duties included catching the ceremonial first pitch from Tom Seaver, who not surprisingly has the most All-Star selections of any Amazin’ with nine. Wright also won the fan balloting at third base and manager Bruce Bochy slotted him in the clean-up spot of the starting lineup. He singled in the seventh off Greg Holland — the last of his three at-bats in the game and, as it turned out, his final All-Star appearance.
Returning with Thunder – August 24, 2015
Wright stepped up to the plate in the top of the second inning at Citizens Bank Park preparing to take his first swing in 133 days. Once a mainstay in the Mets lineup, he had missed over four months: first with a hamstring injury and then because of spinal stenosis, the ailment which would ultimately cause the premature end to his career. It wasn’t a certainty he’d ever return as an active player. Now Wright was facing Phillies starter Adam Morgan. The 1-1 pitch went over the heart of the plate. David swung and did not miss. Not just a home run, it was a moonshot.
The Fist-Pump – September 7, 2015
It was an unleashing of stored energy. Wright took off from first base on a liner to right-center by Yoenis Céspedes in the seventh inning of the series opener with the Washington Nationals. As the ball was retrieved on the warning track by Bryce Harper, Wright turned for home. Looking to help his team reach the postseason for the first time since he was a rising star in 2006, the emotion came out after he slid safely ahead of the throw from Anthony Rendon and the tag from Wilson Ramos. The Mets won that day, and the next, and then completed a three-game sweep to all but ensure a division title.
World Series Homer at Citi – October 30, 2015
He had spent 12 seasons waiting to reach the Fall Classic. He had spent several months just hoping to return healthy. In his first World Series at-bat in New York (and the first World Series game at Citi Field) with a runner on base, he sent a towering drive over the left-center field fence and into the packed stands. Wright’s classic swing put the Mets on top, 2-1. New York went on to capture their lone win of the series, 9-3, with Wright tacking on two more RBIs in the sixth with a single to center field.
“The Captain” Says Farewell – September 28, 2018
On the penultimate day of the regular season, Wright bid goodbye to a New York audience that watched him grow up before its eyes. With setbacks that would’ve forced a less determined player to give up, Wright was too steadfast to go out a broken man. After returning the night before for the first time in over two years, an anticipatory Citi Field sellout crowd was there for the finale against the Marlins. Wright made two plate appearances: drawing a walk in the first and popping out to foul territory (thanks a lot, Peter O’Brien) in the fourth. Before the fifth inning started, it was time for the final send-off and a long, deserved ovation.
His next Citi Field appearance may very well be when the Mets retire his No. 5 in the left-field rafters.
