Storyline: David Wright’s body can fight injuries only so long. The Mets can be patient only so long. Sooner or later there has to be closure–whether Wright likes it or not. (NOTE: An earlier version of this article was published in Elite Sports NY.)
In The New York Post last week there was a sentence that stood out about David Wright being hidden from cameras when it came to his throwing session. That was peculiar. It’s rare for teams to hide players from Spring Training workouts. Something had to be wrong for the Mets to take such a drastic step.
On Tuesday it was announced David Wright will be shelved for two weeks after feeling discomfort in his right
Courtesy: Observer-Reporter
shoulder. He’ll be reevaluated after that.
Reevaluating Wright is being kind to him. Deep down the Mets had to know something wasn’t right. The Mets and Wright will go through this charade in two weeks. Maybe he becomes healthy. But so what if he does? It’s only going to be a matter of time until he’s hurt again.
This isn’t going to end well for Wright.
Over the last two seasons Wright has been limited to 75 regular-season games. From April 15 to Aug. 24, 2015 he spent time on the disabled list after straining his right hamstring. He was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, too. Last year he missed time time with neck pain. Then he had season-ending surgery in June to repair a herniated disk.
With injury after injury for years, it’s hard to be optimistic about Wright going injury-free, especially at age 34. Wright’s body is breaking down and the Mets know it. That’s why they’ve toyed with the idea of putting Jose Reyes at third base this season. Remember, this one-time Mets shortstop made 50 starts at the hot corner last season.
So here’s the question Wright has to answer, sooner rather than later: What is the endgame? When does he say “no mas” and finally calls it quits? This is already a charade.
Most Mets fans know it’s a lost cause. That’s why they’ve been calling for Wright to retire. They know he’s never going to be healthy. He’s never going to be player he was when he came into the League in 2004. They would like to see resolution. And the issue has gotten personal with fans.
Will never understand some of the vitriol some fans show/express about Wright and his injuries. It's embarassing.
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) February 28, 2017
But getting to the endgame is easier said than done. Try being in Wright’s position. It’s hard to give up playing the game you loves. Giving up $20 million (this season alone) is difficult, even if it’s a lost cause. That’s not to say Wright is stealing money. He doesn’t need the money; he’s set for life.
Wright wants to play for a World Series contender. He wants to win a championship. After going through awful seasons he wants to experience a championship celebration.
No one should fault the once-Mets star. Wright is easy to root for. He takes pride in being a Met. He is everything a fan wants from an athlete–the hunger to win, the drive to succeed, and the embodiment of class. He grew up being a Mets’ fan.
It’s already tough to see that he’s not the player he used to be. But for him to retire at the age of 34 is cruel. Life is not fair in sports or in real life though. But that’s the harsh reality he’ll have to deal with, sooner or later. This can’t go on forever.
Courtesy: Mets101.com
It’s going to be Wright’s call, not the Mets. He’s under contract until 2020 and the Mets aren’t going to release him, which would mean paying him upfront to do nothing. They’re also not going to embarrass him, forcing him to retire–after all the good things he has done for the franchise.
At some point, Captain America has to know ‘when to say when.’ Life has to go on for him and for the Mets. Baseball doesn’t wait for anyone. He can only fight the inevitable so long.
This isn’t fun. It’s not going to be a pleasant day when Wright announces that he’s retiring. But his body can fight injuries for only so long. The Mets can be patient only so long. Sooner or later, there has to be closure–whether Wright likes it or not.
