Growing up playing baseball, kids dream of hitting the game-winning home run in Game 7 of the World Series, being inducted into Cooperstown, and having their number retired with their favorite organization. David Wright will live out that dream as the New York Mets have announced they will be retiring his number 5.
He will join Mets history in the Ring of Honor alongside 10 legendary players and 3 commentators. Not many athletes in professional sports play for as long as he did, staying with the same team his entire career. In some aspects, fans considered the Mets long-lasting third baseman, Derek Jeter, for the team from Queens.
Wright’s Career With the Mets
David Wright had a fast start to his career in New York, winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2004. In 69 games, he had a .293 average, 14 home runs, and 40 RBI. He would follow up the next few seasons as a top MVP candidate. 2006 would mark the first of seven All-Star appearances for the third baseman. Wright would also win back-to-back Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards in 2007 and 2008. He would also join the 30/30 club in ’07, hitting 30 home runs for the first time in his career and stealing 34 bases.
Wright was on his way to a Hall of Fame career with the Mets until back and neck injuries plagued the third baseman toward the end of his career. He would end up playing all 14 seasons with the New York Mets with a career average of .296, 242 home runs, 970 RBI, and a WAR of 49.2. He was also a 7-time All-Star, 2-time Gold Glove winner, and 2-time Silver Slugger.
Wright Joins Exclusive Company
The third baseman will have his number 5 inducted into Mets’ history and immortalized with these other Mets legends:
#5 David Wright
#14 Gil Hodges
#16 Dwight Gooden
#17 Keith Hernandez
#18 Darryl Strawberry
#24 Willie Mayes
#31 Mike Piazza
#36 Jerry Koosman
#37 Casey Stengel
#41 Tom Seaver
#42 Jackie Robinson
And Commentators: Bob Murphy, Ralph Kiner, and Bill Shea
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt in my mind that David Wright would have been inducted into Cooperstown if he could have stayed healthy. He was the face of the Mets franchise for over a decade. He was able to burst onto the scene, becoming one of MLB’s top young stars. Not many, especially in baseball, can stay with the same team their entire career, and Wright was an exception.
The loyalty and strong play by Wright makes him a well-deserving candidate for the Mets’ Ring of Honor! Congratulations to Mr. Wright, becoming the 11th player in New York Mets history for the career accomplishment of becoming immortal in the eyes of baseball and Mets fans everywhere!
