New York Mets to Retire Captain David Wright’s Jersey
NEW YORK — The New York Mets have announced they will induct David Wright into the team’s Hall of Fame and retire his jersey No. 5 on July 19, 2025 at Citi Field.
The Mets plan to retire David Wright's No. 5 and induct him into their team Hall of Fame on July 19, per @AnthonyDiComo pic.twitter.com/DkJesOQdxM
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 13, 2024
Lifelong Met
Wright spent the entirety of his 14-year professional career with New York Mets, having been selected in the first round from Chesapeake, Virginia’s Hickory High School in the 2001 Draft. He made his Major League debut at Shea Stadium on July 21, 2004 on the hot corner.
As one of the greatest lifelong Mets in history, Wright is considered one of the most impactful players in modern professional baseball. The franchise-great was named the fourth Mets Captain in 2013 and is known for a legacy of leadership and perseverance. He slashed an impressive .296/.376/.491 with 242 home runs, 970 RBI, and .870 OPS over his lengthy career in Queens.
As a seven-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, and two-time Gold Glove winner, Wright holds many records within the Mets organization, including:
- Most Hits: 1,777
- Most RBI: 970
- Most Runs Scored: 949
- Most Extra Base Hits: 658
- Most Doubles: 390
- Most Walks: 762
- Total Bases: 2,945
The Mets Captain holds second place for most career-home runs [Mets] at 242 – Just 10 behind Darryl Strawberry – And second place for Mets’ Career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 49.2 – Behind Hall of Famer “Tom Terrific” Seaver.
Top Three Career Moments
As a lifelong Mets fan myself, there are so many incredible plays that come to mind when thinking of David Wright’s career as a whole – But there are three distinctive standout moments all Mets fans would consider as top-tier.
#3 – Subway Series Walk-off Single Against Mariano Rivera (2006)
May 19, 2006 – Just two-years after his Major League Debut, Wright delivered a walk-off hit against New York Yankees HOF closer Mariano Rivera. Wright pulled a single just over center-fielder Johnny Damon’s head to bring home Paul Lo Duca in a 7-6 Game One Mets-victory for the 2006 Subway Series.
5/19/2006 With the winning run on second base and Mariano Rivera on the mound, David Wright records a walk-off hit to beat the Yankees. pic.twitter.com/cANYKQ4I6f
— This Day in Mets History (@NYMhistory) May 19, 2024
#2 – Mets’ All-Time Hits Leader (2012)
September 26, 2012 – Wright surpassed Hall of Famer Ed “Steady Eddie” Kranepool on the Mets’ all-time hits leaderboard. He delivered his [Mets] record-topping 1,419th hit as an infield single off Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitcher Jeff Locke in the bottom of the 3rd inning; With the Mets eventually knocking the Pirates out from playoff-contention in a 6-0 shutout victory at home.
9/26/2012 David Wright becomes the Mets all-time leader in hits when he records the 1,419th knock of his career. pic.twitter.com/6ADwvfxzp5
— This Day in Mets History (@NYMhistory) September 26, 2024
#1 – World Series Home Run at Citi Field (2015)
October 30, 2015 – Wright opened up the Citi Field stint of the 2015 World Series with a two-run home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura in the first inning of Game Three. The HR ignited a Mets runs-parade in their only win of the series – But an electric and unforgettable 9-3 victory for Mets fans, regardless.
10/30/2015 David Wright homers in his first World Series at-bat at Citi Field. pic.twitter.com/dZnRWOiukL
— This Day in Mets History (@NYMhistory) October 30, 2024
Bleed Orange and Blue
Having signed an eight-year $138 million extension with the Mets in 2012, Wright played his final game on September 29, 2018, after a series of injuries and a career-ending spinal stenosis diagnosis. A tip of the cap from #5 before exiting the field for the last time – There wasn’t a dry eye in sight.
6 years ago today, David Wright exited the field for the final time.pic.twitter.com/XrWTOYv47O
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) September 29, 2024
David Wright was the kind of ball player that everyone loves and respects, regardless of your favorite team. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest Mets of all time. Not only was he a consistent near-.300 hitter and elite defender; but he truly loved being a Met.
“It’s been a long road to get to that goal, but the love and the support I’ve received from inside the organization, outside the organization has been first class, and words can’t express the gratitude I have for everybody,” Wright said. “I said it when I was a younger player and I’ll say it again: I truly bleed orange and blue, and throughout this process, the love and the support and the respect from inside and outside the organization have meant the world to me. Thank you to everybody involved, and you’ll never have any idea how much it means to me.”
New York Met, #5 Forever
In the 2025 season, David Wright will join the Mets’ Hall of Fame as its 35th member. This coming year also marks his second cycle on the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot.
David Wright’s #5 will hang alongside other legendary Mets; #18 Darryl Strawberry, #16 Dwight Gooden, #24 Willie Mays, #17 Keith Hernandez, #36 Jerry Koosman, #31 Mike Piazza, #41 Tom Seaver, #14 Gil Hodges, #37 Casey Stengel, and Jackie Robinson’s #42 to be memorialized at Citi Field forever – A preservation and honoring of an incredible legacy.
David Wright is box-office and Sandlot at the same time. He’s one of those players you remember trying to emulate when you think about playing baseball as kid – Stepping up to the plate (if you could see it through the over-grown weeds) at your local field – Lining your knuckles up and getting your feet just right in the box; Swinging for the fences with No. 5 on your back. Riding the highs and working through the lows, Wright is a world-class act and one of the players many have looked to as an example of a perfect translation of “self” to the game. He’s one you’ve wished a better ending for.
You can’t love baseball without loving David Wright’s game. He is one of the greatest to ever wear orange and blue. There isn’t a Mets fan out there that wouldn’t credit him for loving this team through and through – A forever thank you to the Mets Captain.
#5Forever #LGM
