On Wednesday, Buck Showalter revealed that David Wright would be visiting the team this spring to serve as an alumni coach along with a who’s who of other Mets legends.
In addition to Wright on March 1-2, Showalter plans to bring in Edgardo Alfonzo and Darryl Strawberry from March 2-6, Mookie Wilson and Howard Johnson from March 5-10, and Al Leiter and John Franco from March 20-26/27. Showalter also commented that Mike Piazza won’t be attending due to his role as Italy’s manager in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
“We’ll take as much as they’re willing to give, because they’ve got schedules too,” Showalter said. “Those guys are all good, nothing beneath them, they want to get into it, and we’ll work them.”
It was reported in January that the Mets planned in extending an invitation to Wright, who also attended spring training last season, the first time he had worn a Mets uniform since his retirement in 2018.
Wright’s expertise will be of particular value to Brett Baty, who got his first taste of major-league action a year ago and will be fighting to be the team’s long-term third baseman after this season. Wright, Alfonzo, and Johnson also figure to work with the likes of Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio, who may end up playing a variety of positions this season.
