David Wright will play his final major league game
New York Mets third baseman, David Wright, announced Thursday at Citi Field that he will be activated off the disabled list for the final homestand of the 2018 season. He will play in his final game on September 29, when the Mets host the Miami Marlins.
Wright, 35, has not played in a major league game since May 27, 2016 due to neck, back, and shoulder injuries. Since 2015, he has been suffering from spinal stenosis, a condition that puts pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves in the spine.
When asked if he’ll play beyond 2018, Wright stated, “Physically and the way I feel right now and from everything the doctors have told me, there’s not going to be an improvement. So, yeah, I don’t see that as a possibility.”
Wright has been fighting to get back on the field and was finally able to when he was sent on a rehab assignment with the Single-A St. Lucie Mets in August of 2018. It is very important to him that he gets the opportunity to play in front of his young children.
“I really, really am going to love that game because they get a chance to see me play in the big leagues for the first time and for me that means a lot.”
Retirement was not used to describe the upcoming weeks and Wright’s future. Mets CEO Jeff Wilpon described it as Wright not being medically cleared to play baseball any longer.
Wright will receive the remaining $27 million of his 8 year, $138 million contract. The Mets have had 75% of Wright’s contract paid by insurance over the last two seasons.
The 7-time National League All-Star is the Mets all time leader in hits (1777), doubles (390), walks (761), runs scored (949) and RBIs (970). He won a Gold Glove at third base in 2007 and 2008 and was a Silver Slugger Award winner in those years as well.
New York has had a lasting impact on Wright’s life.
“I truly bleed orange and blue.”
He bleeds it so much, that he named his first born daughter, Olivia Shea, after the Mets old stadium. Although not stated in Thursday’s press conference, it is almost certain that the Mets will be retiring Wright’s No. 5 and will enter him into their Hall of Fame.
I am senior at Naugy, and I would like to be a Baseball Analyst in the future. I enrolled in Journalism so that I could write sports articles.
Matthew Polek • Sep 20, 2018 at 11:55 am
Great article here. David Wright one of the best men to play the game, so much class, and a great role model. It’s a shame injuries held him back. Well written, important details of the present situation and then a perfect placement of the past accolades he’s received, well done Tyler.