Saturday will be a massive celebration at Citi Field.
The Mets are retiring David Wright's No. 5 and inducting him into the team's hall of fame in a ceremony that kept the former Mets captain awake the night before.
Wright, who spent his entire 14-year career with the Mets, is still in disbelief at the generosity and support that the organization and former teammates/coaches, which there were plenty, as he spoke with the media before the ceremony on Saturday afternoon.
“Just the support, whether it’s my family, friends…the support walking around the city the last few days. Seeing No. 5 on the backs of so many people in New York is humbling," Wright said of the experience the last few days leading up to Saturday. "Former teammates, got a chance to hang out with them the last couple of days. As us old players like to do, reminisce about the good ol’ days. Just an amazing time. Just an amazing experience that's only going to get better.
"Thanks to the organization. Steve and Alex [Cohen]. They made this nothing but first class. They’ve gone over the top…and just welcomed me and my family with open arms, along with the rest of the alumni."
Wright will be the eighth Met to have his number retired, joining Tom Seaver (No. 41), Mike Piazza (No. 31), Jerry Koosman (No. 36), Keith Hernandez (No. 17), Willie Mays (No. 24), Dwight Gooden (No. 16), and Darryl Strawberry (No. 18).
It's an honor fitting of Wright who captained the team less than 10 years after debuting in 2004. In 1,374 games from 2004-13, Wright slashed .301/.382/.506 (.888 OPS) with 222 home runs, 345 doubles, 876 RBI, 853 runs scored, and 183 stolen bases. He was one of the best players in baseball, but back injuries shortened Wright's career.
At the end, Wright was one of the greatest Mets to wear the uniform. He's first in hits (1777), doubles (390), RBI (970), runs (949) and third in home runs (242).
"Special day for the organization, for all of us here. We get to witness one of the best players, one of the Mets greats," current Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "Special career, obviously, but what a special human. Over a year and a half ago, I got with the organization and one of the highlights for me was meeting David last year in spring training. The humble, the quality of the person. It was pretty incredible. I was a big fan of his, watching him throughout his career and today we get to celebrate him, his family. And it’s an honor for all of us."
When Wright wrapped up his career at the end of the 2018 season, he was emotional then and hopes he can be less so on Saturday. Although that's not likely, Wright reminisced about that day and how today will feel different.
"It’s certainly different. The biggest difference for me, is I hope I can keep it together better today," Wright said with a grin. "There’s something about taking off that uniform for the last time. I view this day as an incredible, organic relationship between me and my family, the organization, this fanbase. To me, the Mets fanbase is a blue-collar, bring your lunchpail to work type of fanbase. That’s how I was raised and that’s how I try to approach each day, coming to the ball park. Provide that blue-collar mentality. That’s why that relationship with the Mets fanbase has become so special."
That embrace from the fans and the organization has made Saturday feel more like a natural visit than a special moment for Wright, and he appreciates it.
"It feels like it was yesterday," Wright said. "It was a neat feeling. It’s the feeling when you come home from a long trip…seeing the familiar faces from ownership down to the team and the different smiles that you’re accustomed to seeing on a daily basis, now you see once a year or whenever you come back. It brings back a lot of memories…I catch myself reminiscing more than I ever did when I played."
Wright expects to feel the love from everyone when he steps out on the field Saturday. For someone who was the face of the organization for so long, days like this still make the All-Star infielder uncomfortable, but what he's looking forward to most from the ceremony is celebrating with those who helped him on his journey.
"[I'm looking forward] to share it with my family, friends, organization the fanbase," Wright said. "It’s an uncomfortable feeling for me to be the center of the spotlight. I like to share it with everybody that’s had an impact in getting me to this point. That includes more people than I can name."
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