Mets: Playoff-like atmosphere at Citi Field for David Wright’s final game

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets runs to the dugout during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 30, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets runs to the dugout during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 30, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

There couldn’t have been a better way to send off David Wright. New York Mets fans packed the house and rocked Citi Field for one final sendoff to the Captain.

The smell of Italian Sausage filters through the brisk September air. The restroom lines are outrageously long. The New York Mets faithful are loud and ready to rock and roll. It’s David Wright night at Citi Field.

With a total of 43,928 fans at Citi Field, the attendance was the sixth largest regular-season crowd in Citi Field’s nine-year history.

The night opens up with a bang. Wright’s adorable Olivia Shea Wright throws out the first pitch to her father and our captain, Mr. Wright. Considering she is just 2-years old and already knows how to wind up and throw the baseball, that is very impressive. The crowd roars and Wright picks up his daughter and gives her a big kiss.

With Mickey Callaway explicitly saying prior the game that Wright will get two at-bats and play four to five innings, the fans knew what to expect. When he stepped onto the on-deck circle, the crowd erupted and fans started to get out of their seats and pull out their smartphones.

With Jose Reyes leading off the game with a double, Citi field was ready to explode by the time Wright came up in three hole. Sure enough, Wright slowly walks to the plate, taking it all in, for his second-to-last at-bat. Signs are held up all over the place reading “We love you David Wright” and “The Mets aren’t Wright without you!”

Here comes the Captain!!

Wright’s first at-bat is a successful one. He draws a walk and the Mets suddenly have runners on the corner with just one out. Michael Conforto comes up and hits into an inning-ending double play.

A few uneventful innings go by with the exception of a couple David Wright chants breaking out. Then the big moment finally comes – Wright’s last at-bat for his beloved New York Mets.

The crowd is as loud as ever. The stands are illuminated by smartphones recording David Wright. With the amount of silence as the ball is being delivered, you could probably hear a pin drop. Everybody is hoping for that one big hit.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come. Wright pops up in foul territory and Peter O’Brien makes the catch. Wright’s baseball career is over. Fans are visibly and verbally react to O’Brien’s decision to catch the ball in foul territory. Boos rain over the stadium.

It’s now the fourth inning and there are rumblings throughout the stadium that Wright will be taken out imminently. Here comes Mickey. It’s over. Wright’s legendary Mets career has come to an end. Fans are emotional and a man yells “Don’t Go!” “Don’t Go!” from afar.

And just like that, Wright’s career is over.

David Wright’s contributions to major league baseball will forever be enshrined in Mets fans and all of the baseball fans across the world. Not only was Wright an amazing athlete who had his career cut short by unfortunate injuries, but he was also an amazing person off the field; a loving father, a charitable person, and a caring New Yorker.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

We will miss you, David Wright!

Schedule