On a bittersweet September afternoon David Wright drives a fastball inside to the opposite field for a base hit; the last of his fantastic career. Pinch runner Gavin Cecchini jogs towards first base, as Wright removes his helmet with his right hand, slowly turning around to appreciate the Citi Field faithful. The Virginia native has given them over 1780 hits, 240 homers, and an example of the perfect ballplayer. In return, Mets fans help themselves out of their seats, clap their hands, and hold up homemade signs of thanks as the third baseman walks off the field for the final time. In the dugout he is greeted by his teammates, many of whom he has only played with for a few games, a shell of the Mets Wright knew. Wright shakes the hand of Michael Conforto, officially passing the torch to the new face of the franchise. Before walking down the steps of the clubhouse he gives Jose Reyes, that day’s starting shortstop, an embrace. Maybe he could have tried to play another season, but Wright left the game of baseball like a superstar should.
Or Wright could head back to St. Lucie in 2018, attempting to play a full season, hurt himself in his third exhibition game and never play again; a storybook ending indeed.
On Tuesday, Wright embarked on a rehab assignment with the St. Lucie Mets, giving him a choice of how he wants to exit. He can announce that he will play a final week or so to say goodbye to the game of baseball, or he can keep doing the same thing he has been for the past two years.
David Ought to Retire the Wright Way
The mindset of Mets manager Terry Collins seems to be just getting him on the field before thinking about what do next.
“I’m just excited to think that this guy’s back on the field. And that he possibly could put this uniform on again and step in the batter’s box here in Citi Field,” the Skipper said before Wright’s rehab game.
Although Collins is correct that the very notion of Wright playing is not one to count chickens over, it’s important to think of a retirement plan before it’s too late.
The truth is Wright is not what he used to be. Good things don’t always happen to good people, as the baseball gods cruelly plagued the seven-time All-Star with injuries to the back and neck that have allowed him to play only 75 games over the last three seasons. It seems as though every time he makes a comeback he has another setback. Each injury sees him miss more time than the last and each return is shorter than the previous.
Alas, Wright has the impressive determination that is rare. While games, months, and seasons go by, the franchise leader in hits continues to claw his way back up the mountain in the background of team news. On Tuesday he took a huge step in reaching the summit. If he gets there, should he try to stay as long as he can, or should he use the opportunity to leave the right way, and then proceed to repel down?
One must look at what a 2018 season would be like for the veteran. Wright hasn’t able to play more a full season in half a decade, but even if he was, he’d be a huge liability to the Mets. With the pain that goes into getting ready for a game, Wright isn’t nearly the hitter he used to be (.251 batting average, less than 15 HR/162 since 2014), and his last injury occurred once he started throwing in spring. This means that the Mets would use up a roster spot for a player who doesn’t hit well, can’t play the field without getting hurt, and is paid more than anyone on the team besides Yoenis Cespedes.
Collins even said that there is “certainly a scenario where we don’t have to worry about him playing defense.” A 24-man roster isn’t ideal for a team that hopes to contend next year.
The money part may be the problem, as it’s hard for the two-time Silver Slugger award winner to trade the 47 million dollars he is owed for a just-fitting farewell. But it’s hard to fathom that such a morally pristine player would put his team and his legacy in jeopardy for an extra check. A storybook player needs a storybook ending, and a press conference at First Data Field isn’t a novel that will fly off the shelves.
The chances of Wright playing another full season or even close to that in his career are smaller than the Mets making the playoffs in 2017. That’s why the Wright thing to do is to use this rehab stint to get back to Citi Field in September, and give a six-game heads-up to finish a great career.
Wright gave Mets fans nearly 1780 hits and over 240 home runs. He needs to hang up his spikes and let the fans give him a standing ovation in return.
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