David Wright announced during a press conference on Thursday that he will be activated on September 25 for the Mets' last homestand, and will start at third base on September 29. Wright left the impression, without saying it, that his career will end with the 2018 season.
While Wright would love nothing more than to continue on serving as the face and the captain of the New York Mets, he clarified that his body will not get any healthier, making it impossible to continue playing.
While Wright is an incredible player, he is an even better person. Wright gave everything he had to the Mets organization for the 18 years he wore the uniform. Everyone inside and outside the Mets organization wanted him to succeed, making this a tough pill to swallow for everyone involved.
An emotional press conference
Wright has been rehabbing all year, and it looked as though he was close to a return. While there will be a return, no one had any idea that Wright was working toward one final return, and nothing more.
When the public got wind of a press conference, the last thing anyone was expecting was Jeff Wilpon opening with "This is a very difficult day for me and the entire organization," before announcing that Wright will play in a Mets uniform again, but it will be for the last time.
Both Wilpon and Wright were careful with their words as neither of them used the word "retirement" but, as reported by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Wright said his body and the doctors are in agreement, he will not improve. Therefore, playing beyond September is not likely.
Wright spoke to a room filled with his teammates and told them through tears what an honor it has been to serve as their captain.
Wright will take the field with his teammates one last time, on September 29, for a sendoff that will undoubtedly be as iconic as his presence.
A career to last a lifetime
While Wright was very emotional, he never came across sad. He appeared to be more nostalgic. He knows how much he means to the organization and to fans, so there is really nothing for him to be sad about when you think about it.
Wright will not let this heartbreaking news of his future get him down. When the floor was handed over to the captain, he opened with a joke saying "This kind of caught me off guard. I thought we would announce an extension today."
Wright said he really has no regrets with his career. Wright and fans alike know he left everything he had out on that field.
He couldn't say enough on how much gratitude he had for his organization, his teammates, and his fans.
Jeff Wilpon already said there will be a discussion on possibly retiring Wright's number, as reported by Mike Puma of the New York Post. That alone speaks volumes to how much David Wright means to the Mets.
Wright never got his ring, and that will haunt Mets fans forever, but his career seemed to satisfy him enough to not really need one. There is not a player in baseball loved more than Wright is by his fans and his organization alike.
Wright knows he did everything that he could have to get himself back on the field, and it worked out as well as it could have. Wright is going to get to go out on his terms and will get a send-off that he deserves. Considering the magnitude of the situation, can anyone really ask for more?
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