1) David Wright
He’s never won anything before. He gets hurt all too often. He’s overpaid. He’s overrated.
Just stop it.
David Wright is the most underappreciated player in New York Mets history. Sure, the captain is loved by many, but the unfair criticisms he’s received over the years are rather unwarranted.
While Wright has never climbed to baseball’s Mount Everest in October, it’s hard to fault him. Baseball is a team game, and Wright has been on many teams that flat out stunk in the prime of his career. From 2009-2014, the Mets weren’t very competitive. Wright never asked to be traded, never sounded off to the media, and always remained involved within the community. He had every right to leave the organization and signed an eight year extension instead.
It’s not uncommon for Wright to be brought up on the 2007 team which suffered an epic collapse in September. His September 2007 stat line consisted of a .352 average. .432 OBP, 6 homers and 20 RBI’s. He also joined the 30 homer and 30 stolen base club in ’07. It was Wright that was the unofficial captain at the age of 25 and face of the franchise that unfairly burdened the collapse.
The Mets also suffered a smaller collapse in September of 2008, losing a 3.5 game lead over the final few weeks of the season. The third baseman batted .340 with a .416 OBP, homered 6 times, and drove in 21 runs during the month of September.
Yup, it was definitely all his fault.
Since 2013, Wright’s injuries have hampered his play and ability to stay on the field. He played through injuries but it only backfired on his performance. Injuries are part of the game, and they only got worse with age. It’s unfortunate, but it’s just part of the baseball grind.
Wright has not yet delivered a championship to New York, but he’s committed to the organization and was among the game’s elites for several seasons. Seven all star games, two gold gloves, and two silver sluggers suggest he’s done his part.
Wright did everything he could to deliver; it would be nice for even the most rigid of fans to acknowledge so.
