New York Mets legend David Wright gave the fans many memorable memories on and off the field. The team at Rising Apple and fans on Twitter share their favorites.
On Saturday September 29, 2018, the greatest third baseman in New York Mets history will call it a career. David Wright will start in a Major League Baseball game for the first time since early 2016. After, he rides off into the sunset.
Wright’s career trajectory had him Cooperstown bound before multiple injuries and major surgeries knocked him out of action. Undoubtedly a member of the franchise’s Mount Rushmore, it all comes to an end in 2018.
Thankfully, what will never end are the memories Wright gave fans. An abundance of clutch moments, notable achievements, and personal touch with members of the Mets faithful helped shape his career.
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To pay some tribute to Wright, we asked members of the Rising Apple team to share their favorite Wright memories.
Mark Sales: Before 2006, I wore Mets shirts and hats but never really watched the games. My family decided to go to a game at Shea on July 9th of that year. With the Mets losing in the 8th, David Wright came to the plate accompanied by loud cheers and MVP chants. He hit one over the wall to put the Mets ahead. That day I left the ballpark remembering one player, his name was David Wright. I think I bought his shirsey the next day. Little did I know he’d become the Captain and a Mets icon. David Wright is the reason I fell in love with the Mets. Thank you for everything, David. Congrats on a great career.
Shlomo Aminsky: I was a bit late to the game for obsessed fandom so my favorite Wright moment is easily the sliding fist pump against the Nats back in that 2015 critical game.
Jose Rivera: My favorite David Wright moment was the RBI walk-off versus Mariano Rivera. Over the past couple of years, a main slogan for Mets fans was “take back New York.” Honestly, I believe for myself that was the moment where that idea became obtainable. The best closer in all of MLB up against the young David Wright. For the kid to come up big was a huge uplift from all the down years that came before him. It may have been small blimp of a moment for most but that was when I believed the Amazins would have a brighter future.
Tim Boyle: What has separated David Wright from others in his professional career is how accessible he has always been with fans. In the early 2000s, I met him when he was in the infancy of a young career during the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. He signed a couple of cards for me and I specifically remember how polite and gracious he was. At the time, I had no clue he would become one of the most beloved sports figures in New York history. I’m grateful for having met him. It gave me insight into why so many care about the man even in a slump. You won’t find a bad thing about who he is as a person.
Michael Carballeira: My favorite David Wright moment came on May 21st, 2016 when I happened to be in attendance at Citi Field. It was a four o’clock game against the Brewers where Jacob deGrom gave up a very unusual four earned runs. David Wright was struggling as he was hitless in three at-bats while striking out twice heading into the ninth inning of a tied ballgame. The Brewers intentionally walked Curtis Granderson to load the bases for Wright and the captain did what he always did during clutch moments…he delivered! Wright lined a 3-0 pitch to the gap in right-center and the Mets won 5-4. The best part of this moment was Wright putting it to the Brewers as they expected him to be the easy out. Citi Field was rocking and so was I. There were so many great memories throughout his career but this for sure is at the top of my list. Thank You, Captain!
In addition to the Rising Apple team, we asked our followers on Twitter the same question. Here are a few of the great responses we received:
too many to pick from, but the barehanded catch in 05 and that one game against the giants i believe where he went off on the umps. Also when Dae-Sung-Koo hit that double and Wright was at the top step of the dugout just yelling and cheering
— . (@Jimmy_2M) September 28, 2018
There’s a close tie between the World Series home run & the fist pump at home against the Nationals
— MetsAvenue (@MetsAvenue) September 27, 2018
Ran into Wright on the street outside of a restaurant in DC during a Nats/Mets series, & he stopped the convo w/ his family to talk & take pictures. One of the classiest in sports
When I was a kid my dad took me to bating practice early and David came over to sign anything and everything. Kids in there 20s pushes ahead to get a signature and David made sure to get all the little kids and they got a chance to meet him. He stayed to do the “Wright” thing.
— Kevin Shea (@kshea313) September 27, 2018
Walk off on Mariano
— kash (@AakashGandhi1) September 27, 2018
I was at his first game off the DL in Philly in 2015 when he hit at HR in his first at-bat. @Mets @MetsBooth
— Mr. Colts-Pacers (@jeffwolfe206) September 27, 2018
Visited PSL in 2005 for Spring Training with my wife and 3 kids. Watched him sign autographs from the right field foul pole down to the backstop and didn’t miss signing ONE autograph.
— IraSamet (@madteam3) September 28, 2018
Even though they lost, the barehanded catch in San Diego. I was there, play of the year.
— Ryan (@ctdevil281) September 27, 2018
Smoking cigars with Reyes after winning the NL pennant at Shea in 06. The world was their and our oyster for that moment.
— Caesar (@FamLordClique) September 28, 2018
Even though they lost, the barehanded catch in San Diego. I was there, play of the year.
— Ryan (@ctdevil281) September 27, 2018
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On behalf of the Rising Apple team, Mets fans, and anyone just out there looking to do the right thing and do it to the best of their ability, thank, you Mr. Wright.