David Wright is a New York Mets hero. On May 21st, 2016, Wright hit a game-winning single with the bases loaded. Time and time again, Wright has proven himself as a pivotal player in clutch situations. Drafted in 2001, Wright is the last active member of the Shea Stadium Mets franchise. In 2013, he was named the captain of the team for his leadership in the dugout and on the field. To this day, he holds 12 Mets franchise records and has played more games for a single team than any other player has. When you think of the Mets, you think of David Wright.
It is all the more upsetting when on June 16th, nearly a month after hitting the game winner, Wright opted for neck surgery to repair a herniated disk. This calls into question not only the rest of Wright’s 2016 campaign but the rest of his career. Since last year, he has been battling spinal stenosis and rejoined the team in mid-august. It was only fitting that the Mets were able to win the pennant and make the World Series since the team had gotten so close when Wright was in the prime of his career. In 2006, the Mets won the NL East division but lost in game 7 of the NLCS to the St. Louis Cardinals. 2007 and 2008 saw the Mets miss the playoffs by under five games. In 2007 and 2008, Wright won Silver Slugger awards, became a member of the 30-30 club, and won back-to-back Gold Gloves in those years. Wright has not been the same player since 2008 since his injuries have slowed down his production.
Despite this, Wright, on multiple occasions, has led by example and has created ways to help his team win by other means. In 2010, Wright came into Spring Training heavier, as he gained muscle in the off-season. Wright did this as a way to “shake off” the injury-written 2009 season. If you were to watch a Mets baseball game on T.V. Wright would always be at the edge of the dugout, respectfully watching all of his teammates hit.
One of the most consistent qualities that Wright has, is his ability to show finesse in the field. In 2005, Wright made what was called “The Play of the Year” by catching a ball barehanded in shallow left field. In 2007, Wright effectively leaped into the crowd in foul territory to catch a ball that was popped up. The play was the top play of the week on SportsCenter. He also regularly fields slow rolling ground balls with his bare hands. Wright does this so often, that the play is a trademark of his ability.
To see David Wright no longer play in a Mets uniform would be a strange sight. For 12 years’ no one else has held the permeant job of 3rd base other than Wright. It will be strange to see a ground ball roll to the left side of the infield and not see Wright burst from the corner to make the play. But in any case, thank you, David Wright. The years that you have dedicated to this team, to this city, will not go unwarranted. You have stuck with this team when they won 90 games in a season, and when they lost 90 games in a season. You have earned the right to be captain. You have earned the right to be in the Mets Hall of Fame. Thank you for never giving up, and show what it takes to be a leader. Thank you for showing the hard work and dedication that it takes to be a winner.
Lastly, to quote Walt Whitman,
" O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won"
