Goodbye to our Captain

For the love of the game...

Yesterday, David Wright unofficially announced that he will play one more game at Citi Field in September. Mr. Wright spoke and gave thanks to many people while holding back tears. At the age of 35, no one would assume that their career would be over. These days you can play baseball into your early 40's. Yet, this wouldn't be the case for David Wright.

As I listened in on his press conference, I felt a sadness fill me. It wasn't because I thought it was a bad decision, but rather because of what the man meant to the Mets organization, as well as myself. He was a Met fan and got to play for the team he loved. He was always a Met. He thrived in New York when so many athletes get bashed on in New York (see Eli Manning or Carlos Beltran). It's really hard to say anything bad about the guy.

It's been extremely difficult imaging that Wright will no longer wear a Mets jersey, as a player (here's to hoping he becomes a coach). I was really hoping he'd get a World Series because he's just one of those guys who deserves it. I mean look at his career as a Met: a lot of disappointment. Yet this guy wanted to win with the Mets because he thought the fans deserved it.

David Wright reminds me of what I love about baseball. I love the way it feels when you hit the ball and you know you are getting on base. I love the way it feels to make a diving play that saves a run. I love when you beat a batter in a long battle as a pitcher. I love the thrill of stealing a base. I love the community of the team and how we come around one another if we are struggling. I love the way it feels when you celebrate with your team after a homer . I love sliding because it was fun. There is one moment that still stands out in my mind of David Wright: the moment I knew he felt the same way I did when playing baseball!

It was 2015, the Mets were making a run for the playoffs, against their rival, the Nationals. David Wright was on first base and Cespedes was hitting. Cespedes hits the ball well in the gap and Wright is hustling. Wright was waved home and he beats the throw and scores. Wright who is a player who had been around for awhile at this point, fist pumps in genuine excitement. He was excited because the team was winning. It wasn't about him, it was about the team. There are not many guys like that in baseball anymore.

I will miss Wright. He's a great player, but most of all a really great guy. He loved baseball. He loved the Mets. He loved his teammates. He loved the fans and made sure that we knew. Thank you David Wright!  Once a Met, always a Met.