Over 13 seasons, David Wright left his mark on Major League Baseball and the New York Mets. The seven-time All-Star tearfully announced that his playing career likely won't continue beyond the team's final homestand, where he'll take to the field for what could be his final big-league start on Sept. 29 against the Miami Marlins.
His impact on the game, the fans, other athletes, and those who covered him was wide-reaching, as evidenced by the response to his announcement on Twitter:
David Wright is one of the classiest players I have covered, if not the classiest. None of us can even imagine how hard he has worked to get back on the field, and the frustration he has endured. Here’s hoping his final days with the #Mets give him the closure he richly deserves.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 13, 2018
How are you celebrating David Wright Day? I, personally, am crawled up in a ball crying. https://t.co/GSyjh3e4BP
— Kate Feldman (@kateefeldman) September 13, 2018
I've covered David Wright for 11 years, and have seen him emotional in the past -- but never like that. He spoke of the importance of playing for the first time in front of his daughters.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 13, 2018
Sept. 29 will be a magical moment for Wright and his family.
If Jose Ureña hits David Wright, he’ll become the number one baseball heel of all time
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) September 13, 2018
Love you #5 ❤️
— Jose Reyes (@lamelaza_7) September 13, 2018
This photo was the first poster I ever had on my wall! I looked up to you for years... as a kid to be able to learn a lot from you and you to allow me to learn meant a lot! Thank you for all you have done for the game and for me finish it out strong ✊🏾🙏🏾🐐 @Mets pic.twitter.com/CMQbEH8EV5
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) September 13, 2018
So Mets did right thing allowing him to play again. He deserved that. Met fans should give him a nice sendoff.
— Mike Francesa (@MikeFrancesa) September 13, 2018
There doesn’t need to be a discussion to retire No. 5.
— Mathew Brownstein (@MBrownstein89) September 13, 2018
He’s the #Mets all-time leader in:
Hits, runs scored, plate appearances, total bases, doubles, RBI, extra-base hits, & bWAR by position players.
Enough said. https://t.co/ly7X9QDHf3
It is truly a sad day not just for the #Mets, but #MLB. David Wright is a class act, an iconic player, and one of the best players to ever put on a Met uniform. He’s been through hell physically and put up with hell. An amazing person to know and watch.
— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron) September 13, 2018
David Wright says he always wanted to be on the field again so his daughters could see him play. He cried throughout his remarks as he thanked his teammates, coaches and Mets fans.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) September 13, 2018
It’s almost underselling it to call David Wright the face of the franchise. For so many dark years, he engendered more good will than anybody else associated with the Mets. And it wasn’t particularly close.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) September 13, 2018
Watching Simba ask Mufasa to wake up after being stampeded by a herd of wildebeests was easier to watch than this David Wright press conference
— Clemquon (@TheClemReport) September 13, 2018
For some fans, it was an understandably emotional piece of news:
Saddest day in baseball today... pic.twitter.com/EzHdF2QzV1
— Alejandro Sosa (@Alex_Sosa81) September 13, 2018
— Ethan Barnowitz (@ethan_barnowitz) September 13, 2018
— Patty Ann (@pattyla16) September 13, 2018
David Wright’s rookie jersey purchased a month after he was called up. To the classiest athlete ever. Just grateful I get to see you play baseball as a Met one more time. 2015 hurts a little more today. LGM #Mets #DavidWright pic.twitter.com/N76pyb3cjJ
— MR. MOJO RISIN (@spats48) September 13, 2018
Thank you to the Greatest Met of all time and the Captain for an amazing career!September 29th you will hang up the cleats and the next time we will see you is in Cooperstown, don’t @ me! #Captain #LGM @Mets pic.twitter.com/pZWYy0vyhG
— Joshua Fox (@JF_916) September 13, 2018
I’m going to David Wright’s last game. He is essentially the reason I got into baseball bc he was such an exciting player. The Mets are the only thing me and my dad agree on. He got me this poster and it hung in my room for many years. Love u boo, miss u already💕 pic.twitter.com/FmlvBAG4Gv
— Erin Burnetsky (@erinburnetsky) September 13, 2018
😔😔 hate to see this day come. Thank you David Wright! https://t.co/dGxm7ojn6s
— Matt Marlinski (@mattmarlinski) September 13, 2018
Wright will man the hot corner for potentially one final time Sept. 29 at Citi Field. Remember, Mets fans, there'll always be the memories.
#TBT to David Wright sending Citi Field into pandemonium in the World Series.https://t.co/xqoI80qHxQ pic.twitter.com/RN1Ei3U0Q4
— Cut4 (@Cut4) September 13, 2018
