Though Wright’s groups typically struggled round him, he carried them to better heights, setting franchise data for hits, doubles, RBIs, walks and runs scored. But even these numbers can’t describe his profession fairly in addition to the highest moments from it.
July 21, 2004: Massive league debut
The thirty eighth total choose within the 2001 Draft, Wright took rather less than three years to climb the Mets’ Minor League ladder, debuting in entrance of 30,227 followers at Shea Stadium. Although he went 0-for-4 that night time towards the Expos, Wright doubled off Zach Day in the future later for his first profession hit.
Aug. 9, 2005: Flashing leather-based
A two-time Gold Glover, Wright made maybe the 2 most memorable defensive performs of his profession inside a two-month span in 2005. First, in a June sport in Seattle, he dove into the stands, leaping off each ft to snare a Raul Ibanez popup.
Two months later in San Diego, Wright made a barehanded seize in shallow left area to rob Brian Giles of what appeared like a certain bloop single. The play received MLB.com’s 2005 This Yr in Baseball Play of the Yr Award.
Might 19, 2006: Exit Sandman
The Mets’ ascension as a Main League powerhouse was all however full by Might 2006, however they nonetheless had not overcome their popularity because the crosstown Yankees’ little brothers. Wright did his half to erase the stigma with a walk-off single within the yr’s first Subway Sequence sport, blasting a Mariano Rivera cutter to the center-field wall. The Mets received, 7-6.
July 11, 2006: Hey now, you are an All-Star
It took Wright till his third season to make the primary of his seven All-Star Video games. It then took him all of two innings to make an influence; beginning at third base and batting sixth, Wright clubbed a Kenny Rogers pitch over the fence at PNC Park. He went on to hit safely in six of his seven profession All-Star Video games, batting .389 with a .977 OPS for the Nationwide League.
March 17, 2009: Comeback child
Three outs from elimination within the World Baseball Traditional, Wright hit a walk-off, two-run single off Fernando Cabrera to stun Puerto Rico, advancing Crew USA into the semifinals. Within the sport’s rapid aftermath, Wright known as the second one in every of his profession highlights.
“That is proper up there on the prime,” he mentioned. “I imply, you are speaking about representing america of America. You might have that throughout the entrance of your chest.”
Wright did not want any of his signature energy to change into the Mets’ all-time hits chief, hustling out an infield single to cross Ed Kranepool along with his 1,419th profession knock. He went on to rack up a number of hundred extra over the subsequent 4 seasons, extending his file to 1,777.
March 9, 2013: Captain America
An outspoken proponent of the World Baseball Traditional, Wright solidified his “Captain America” nickname by hitting a grand slam in 2013 pool play towards Crew Italy. The blast saved a struggling Crew USA alive, finally permitting the Individuals to advance to the second spherical. Ending 7-for-16 with 10 RBIs in Traditional play, Wright needed to go away early because of a ribcage harm.
March 21, 2013: O captain! My captain!
When the Mets rewarded Wright with an eight-year, $138-million contract following the 2012 season, his captaincy appeared inevitable. It occurred three months later in a Spring Coaching ceremony; Wright adopted Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez and John Franco because the fourth captain in workforce historical past, and the primary since Franco in 2004. In accepting the title, Wright eschewed the symbolic “C” on his jersey, preferring to maintain the emphasis on the workforce.
Aug. 24, 2015: Welcome again, Captain
For a number of months of the 2015 season, the Mets had been not sure if Wright would play once more. Shortly after he hit the disabled listing in April because of a hamstring harm, medical doctors found that Wright was affected by spinal stenosis, a degenerative again situation. He wound up lacking 4 months because of an harm that ultimately additionally price him his profession.
Oct. 30, 2015: An evening to recollect
All through Wright’s profession, he spoke reverently of the World Sequence, bemoaning how shut the Mets got here in 2006 solely to overlook out on the postseason the subsequent eight seasons. That modified in 2015, when Wright and the Mets superior to the Fall Traditional towards the Royals.
Sept. 29, 2018: A grand farewell
Regardless of Wright’s comeback in 2015, his harm woes solely deepened over the subsequent three years, as he underwent neck, shoulder and again surgical procedures in an try to proceed enjoying (and to keep up his high quality of life post-retirement). Late within the 2018 season, it turned clear to Wright that he couldn’t proceed, and so the Mets organized a return for him throughout the season’s closing weekend at Citi Subject. Wright pinch-hit in Friday’s sport, earlier than enjoying 5 innings at third base the next night time.