New York Mets Captain David Wright spoke to reporters on Wednesday following the formal announcement of his jersey retirement and induction into the team’s Hall of Fame.
In typical David Wright fashion, the presser featured many sentimental moments, nostalgic anecdotes, and inspiring words from the former third baseman himself. After all, he is known for his profound appreciation for wearing only one jersey throughout his career. Listening to the Mets’ Captain share his thoughts on what being a Met meant to him reminded me why he is not merely a legend in Queens but the very heartbeat of this franchise.
A legacy that defined a generation of Mets baseball. #5 forever. https://t.co/nQMIiFEfHT pic.twitter.com/kaJovm1LFi
— Gab (@gabrauc) January 6, 2025
40,000 Friends and Family
Wright didn’t just don the Mets jersey; he wholeheartedly embraced it—his reflections on his career and immense pride about being a Met from beginning to end showcased that. But for him, baseball was about so much more than the game. It was about passion, loyalty, and an overwhelming love for a fan base that rallied behind him through thick and thin. His emotional connection with the fans has always made them feel like an integral part of his journey, and he has always let them know that they were then and still are.
“For 15 years, I felt like I had 40,000 friends and family members in the stands each night. It was an honor of a lifetime taking the field as your Captain, and I truly feel like this honor is just as much yours as it is mine,” Wright said of the announcement on January 6.
“Being a Met for Life Meant More”
One of Wright’s most moving quotes was, “Being a Met for life meant more to me than being a mercenary-type player.” In today’s landscape, where loyalty to your drafted team is a rarity, David’s dedication to the Mets and their community makes him a defining player and one of the greatest to wear orange and blue. His choice of words emphasized that wearing the same jersey throughout his career was so much more than part of the job; it was a profound privilege, a unique dedication in today’s sports world.
A particularly touching moment was when he resonated with other baseball greats [Chipper Jones and crosstown Derek Jeter], proudly playing for the same organization for the entirety of their careers. He connected that to first baseman Pete Alonso, expressing his hope that each day in the Mets jersey would feel just as special and sacred [for Pete] as it did for him.
“Losing in a Mets uniform for me was devastating, but winning in a Mets uniform for me was sweeter than anything else that I could possibly imagine. Being a Met for life meant more to me than a mercenary-type player.”
"Losing in a Mets uniform for me was devastating, but winning in a Mets uniform for me was sweeter than anything else that I could possibly imagine. Being a Met for life meant more to me than a mercenary-type player."
– David Wright on loyalty in MLB pic.twitter.com/mT8ClzA6oS
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) January 8, 2025
He also acknowledged Alonso’s free agency, explaining that he could never fault a player for maximizing their earning potential by seeking a lucrative contract. Considering the outpouring of appreciation that Alonso has displayed in his time in Queens, it’s clear that Wright understands this business aspect of baseball while remaining true to an unwavering dedication to representing The Mets off the field.
David Wright talks about Pete Alonso's free agency and what it means to spend your entire career with one team pic.twitter.com/m3vIi0FIoP
— SNY (@SNYtv) January 8, 2025
All-Around Guy, All-Around Player
While David Wright had accomplished a Hall of Fame-caliber career, it had been cut far too short by a spinal stenosis diagnosis after the 2018 season. Named the fourth Captain in the club’s history, he holds many “Most’s” for the New York Mets: Most hits (1,777), RBIs (970), extra-base hits (658), runs (949), doubles (390), and walks (762). Wright is second in games played (1,585) and just ten home runs shy of the number one slot, barely beaten out by the legendary Darryl Strawberry. But the seven-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, and two-time Gold Glove winner is reluctant to consider himself “of the same class” as others inducted/jersey-retired before him.
“I don’t think it’s hit me,” Wright told reporters on a video call. “I don’t think it’s ever going to hit me. I truly feel like it’s a bit undeserved, given the skill and accomplishments of some of the numbers that I’ll be amongst up there,” he said.
Mets Honor Captain the Wright Way
As fans look forward to honoring the Mets Captain, it’s impossible not to appreciate the profound weight of his legacy. When you think of him, it’s not only for his highlights and the records, but also for the loyalty, pride, and selflessness that defined his incredible career.
Wright will be honored in the Hall of Fame at Seaver Way, and his Number 5 will be immortalized in the rafters of Citi Field alongside other Mets legends (which is well-deserved, despite his usual modesty). This gesture will eternally remind fans of the heart David Wright infused into this classic game: play hard, play proud, and most importantly, cherish what it truly means to be a Met.
The New York Mets will retire David Wright’s No. 5 and induct him to the franchise’s Hall of Fame in a pre-game ceremony on July 19 vs. the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens.
