Former Mets captain David Wright might be honored this summer season in a twin ceremony, taking his rightful place in franchise historical past.
The previous Mets third baseman who performed all 14 years of his Main League Profession in Queens might be inducted into the staff corridor of fame and have his quantity retired July 19, forward of a recreation towards the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Area. No. 5 might be enshrined ceaselessly, marking the third time within the final two years the Mets have taken numbers of franchise greats out of circulation. Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden had their numbers retired final season as a nod to their hyperlink on the 1986 World Sequence staff.
Wright’s No. 5 would be the tenth quantity taken out of circulation, one of many highest honors in sports activities. Nonetheless, no different Mets participant has worn No. 5 since Wright left the sport following the 2018 season. Third baseman Mark Vientos now wears No. 27, however wore the identical quantity as Wright did whereas rising up in Florida as a nod to his favourite participant. He additionally used the identical walk-up music, “I Got 5 on it” by Luniz.
Again and neck accidents ended his profession prematurely and restricted him to solely 77 video games from 2015-2016. Wright fought by the degenerative situations all through his profession, however nonetheless managed to change into some of the prolific gamers of his period.
A Cooperstown candidate, Wright nonetheless leads the Mets all-time lists in essentially the most profession doubles, walks, RBIs and runs scored. He’s second behind Strawberry in dwelling runs, and in addition received two gold glove awards, two silver slugger awards and was named to the All-Star staff seven occasions. He obtained MVP votes six occasions and completed as excessive as fourth in 2007.
After his curtain name in 2018, Wright had profession totals of 242 dwelling runs, 390 doubles, 26 triples, 970 RBI, 196 stolen bases and 761 walks. He completed his profession with a slash line of .296/.376/.491.
Nicknamed “Captain America” for his efficiency within the 2013 World Baseball Traditional, Wright was additionally the fourth captain in Mets historical past and no different participant has held the title since.
The Mets have not too long ago damaged with an extended standing development of solely retiring the numbers of gamers elected to the Baseball Corridor of Fame, and whereas Wright is at present on the poll for the second yr, he’s not a lock. However he legitimized the Mets in a method few others had throughout a time of organizational turmoil and carried out admirably by ache and losses on the sector, all the time serving as a mannequin consultant of the group.
It’s a Wright-ful celebration for an essential participant.
