David Wright was the heartbeat of the Mets franchise at one point. He was the darling of New York City and the centerpiece of a Mets revival that saw the franchise rise again and reach the level of excitement and prestige that they were able to generate in the golden age 80s. When Wright stormed the Big Apple in 2004, he immediately became the shining star of a young Mets nucleus featuring some dope arms, a top manager in Willie Randolph (arrived in 2005) and superstar shortstop Jose Reyes who was just as responsible as Wright for bumping the mighty Yankees off the backpages, if only for a few seasons.
Jose Reyes/David Wright
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We’ll never forget 2006, when the Mets rolled to 97 wins and was one Adam Wainwright curveball from going to the World Series for the first time since a 2000 Subway Series loss to the Yankees. From 2004-2008, Wright was a perennial MVP contender and an elite all-around third baseman.
Now, he’s on his way to retirement. Wright’s not old at age 34, but in baseball years he’s definitely past his prime. Wright has been done for some time now. The Mets just didnt want to admit it publicly and a superstar never wants to come to the conclusion that he has to hang it up. Especially when its because of injuries and not deterioration of skills.
There was a faint hope again this season, that Wright could rebound from nagging injuries and give the Mets franchise one last, big-time veteran boost. Unfortunately, the Mets have announced that they are ending his rehab stint and he will be shut down indefinitely. Most baseball heads knew it was coming.
Deadspin on Twitter
The Mets have shut down David Wright and his battered body once again: https://t.co/YH9P1g1jsa
After playing a few games, I continued to have shoulder pain,” Wright said in a statement. “So I decided to go to the doctor and get it checked out. Will make my decision going forward after my appointment.
Like so many of our sports heroes, injuries plagued Wrights career. He valiantly fought back, neck and shoulder injuries that have robbed him of all but 75 games in the last three years, but was never able to reach his full potential and enjoy the uninterrupted success that so many had envisioned for him.
He had all of the talents and the intangibles, but Wright hasnt played more than 150 games since 2012 and as he got older, the injuries lasted longer and it became more unlikely that he would ever regain the form that made him a seven-time All-Star.
The 2013 season was his last hoorah as a somewhat healthy player.
It just didnt seem right when the Mets made the World Series in 2015 and Wright only got to play in 38 regular season games. He did, however, return for the playoffs and was able to give New York fans a lasting memory of Captain America. It turned out to be his final farewell to New York fans. The last time they would see him competitive and on top of the world and as usual, he left them with some memorable material.
WS2015 Gm3: Wright homers, drives in four in win
10/30/15: David Wright has two clutch hits in the Mets’ 9-3 win in Game 3, a two-run homer in the 1st and a two-run single in the 6th Check out http://m.mlb.com/video for our full archive of videos, and subscribe on YouTube for the best, exclusive MLB content: http://youtube.com/MLB About MLB.com: Commissioner Allan H.
Wright’s latest setback comes amidst a flurry of unexpected injuries to Mets star players.
Marc Carig on Twitter
Mets medical updates; shoulder pain shut down David Wright’s rehab:
You cant say he didnt get paid though. The Mets blessed him with an eight-year, $138 million contract in 2013, which now looks like a busted contract, because Wright’s production and lack of health hasnt justified it. The fans don’t care because they love him.
In that regard, Wright is a winner. Even without a ring, fans will be revering him and the Mets will be paying him long after he’s retired. Him and Bobby Bonilla. At the very least, the Mets provided Wright with a great retirement package for years of dedicated service and fans will always have memories of when Wright stole the heart of a city and turned a team that was a baseball stepchild into the Big Apple’s top dawg, if only for a moment.
