David Wright announcing September 29th was going to be his final game in a Mets uniform has left a profound impact upon all Mets fans.  We all have our own reactions and stories to tell.  Because of how much Wright has meant to the Mets and Mets fans, in this edition of the Mets Blogger Roundtable, we are opening up the responses to not just bloggers, especially those who regularly appear on here, but also to Mets fans who wanted to share their thoughts on Wright.  I encourage anyone who reads this to share your own thoughts in the comments.

Michael Baron (nym.news)

It’s horrible to see any player – not to mention an iconic player, Hall of Famer or otherwise – struggle the way Wright has since 2015. It’s been sad to watch and sad to listen to and this was the unfortunate culmination of that sadness. It was heartbreaking to see him at the podium crying as he said goodbye to baseball. I think this was mostly expected at some point soon, but that doesn’t make it any easier to stomach, watching a star player come up, excel, only to fade through all of the promise and hope Sandy and the Mets instilled in him over the years. He took it on the chin for this organization during those dark years, standing in front of the camera trying to explain away the madness and chaos and preach patience and hope through the process, and he deserves a medal for that. He’s an ambassador to the team and the game, and players should strive to be exactly what and who David Wright is and what he stands for. He’s a class act and I’m going to miss him.

James Schapiro (Shea Bridge Report)

Hard to improve on that. I would just add that Wright was admirable because he was a rock during turbulent times for the Mets, but also because of how hard he worked whenever he was forced off the field. Even when he broke his finger in 2011, he came back something like two days later and hit a home run. The doctors told him he was fine to play as long as he could stand the pain of playing with a broken finger, so of course he went out and played. He was great on the field and in the locker room after games, but he was also an exemplary Met in terms of working through adversity.

EDITOR’S NOTE: One of the best things you will read about how much Wright means to fans is James’ 2016 article entitled The Ballad of David Wright.

Mathew Brownstein (MMO, Bullpen with DA)

Growing up, David Wright was my favorite player. Not only for how he conducted himself on the field, but for the way in which he made sure to be the type of player that kids could genuinely look up to. Hearing the news of his retirement is like coming to the end of a great film or book, you want it to continue. I applaud his determination, fight, and fortitude to make it back from over two years of rehab to get this proper sendoff. Thank you for the memories, Captain.

Brad A.

The Mets have had some great players wear the blue and orange. Not only is David Wright among those greats, he leads those greats. We were fortunate to watch one of the best players in a Mets uniform play in his prime. Thank you for everything David and your reputation will live on as all of us will see the #5 hanging on the rafters right next to #31.

Colin Cosell (Mets PA Announcer)

As a young adult, I grew up in a New York sports scene where David Wright and Derek Jeter were the definitive and unconquerable captains of their eras. Jeter had the career and finality that every athlete dreams of. But Wright’s career so quickly turned from dream to nightmare; something that neither he nor Mets fans nor baseball fans in general could’ve ever fathomed. In my eyes, David deserves to play past Franco’s age. But, alas, there we all were during his press conference, accepting what we all kind of knew was inevitable. I cried as he cried, and then I shook as I realized I would have the unintelligible honor of calling his final lineup spot and final at-bats. I don’t know what events and players I’ll have the honor of calling in the future, but this one will stay with me forever. Long live #5, our Captain.

Joe D. (MMO)

Even though I suspected that David Wright would announce that his playing days were over, it was still stunning to hear it. Watching him fight through tears to say he wanted to suit up one more time for his daughters, who never saw him play in an actual game, was heart-wrenching to see. I had to fight back my own tears. Injuries robbed Wright of what was a certain Hall of Fame trajectory. But he leaves an indelible mark on the Mets franchise as the best position player that they ever developed. He will be greatly missed.

Joe DeMayo

It was real tough watching Wright’s press conference yesterday despite it seemingly being the announcement that many of us have expected was a mere matter of time. I have been following David’s career since shortly after he was drafted throughout his path to finally making it to Queens. He along with Jose Reyes being the young home grown stars of this team right before they went and splurged to build those excellent mid 2000’s teams were some fond memories for me. I loved following David’s career as it was so evident that he loved nothing more than being a New York Met. He has given us countless memories and moments that we will never forget as Mets fans. David is a true Met, and will always be one. He literally gave his body for the New York Mets. He handled everything on and off the field in the most perfect way. He is a true role model. He is our Captain. I feel terrible for him that his body just wouldn’t allow him to continue to do what he loves, but I hope he got some closure with his announcement and the wild crowd he’ll have on September 29th. David is a sure fire Mets Hall of Famer, and in my opinion the second best offensive player in team history behind Mike Piazza. I will always be thankful for everything David did, and I cannot wait to be at the game when his number 5 is retired and officially confirmed it will never be worn again by a Met. He deserves that. Thank you for everything David! LGM!

Corne Hogeveen (MMN)

There is no crying in Baseball right? Well David Wright has made me cry a couple of times. It shows how much David Wright means to me. Marvelous player and marvelous person. A true Captain who always be my Captain. Captain you will be missed. We love you!

Hoov (The Happy Recap)

Wright is the man who will not only make us glad that Denver has great schools. He is easily a face on the Mets’ Mt. Rushmore (to take a concept from himself yesterday regarding Jay Horwitz), and he is one of the best to ever wear the blue and orange – a true Mets icon. Lifelong Mets are almost impossible to quantify over a decade (Ed Kranepool is obvious, Ron Hodges less so), but Wright went wire to wire with us, and could have walked, in a dark era, and chose not to. That his body betrayed his love of the sport is a side note to a career that all Mets fans should treasure. to steal a oft used cliche’, don’t cry because it’s over (ok, we’re gonna cry), smile because it happened (and what a smile it is!)

Anthony Lombardi (Anthony Robert Salon)

Matt Mancuso (MMN)

David Wright exemplified a perfect New York Met player. His classy demeanor, his confident leadership, and his clutch hitting will be remembered and dearly missed. David Wright holds a special place in every Mets’ fans heart.

Joe Maracic (Loud Egg)

Heart says yes, body says no. Decision was taken out of his hands. Class act, always. Farewell Captain.

Ed Marcus

David Wright is one of the nicest Mets I ever got the honor to cover. I met him a handful of times during my tenure as a blogger, and with the exception of maybe R.A. Dickey and John Franco, David came across as the most genuine. I know that it’s cliched to say he bled Orange & Blue, but there is no other way to describe his devotion for this team. He now stands with original Met Ed Kranepool as the lone players to have the distinguished honor of playing their entire career in a Mets uniform (a rare feat in this day and age of free agency and trading star players for prospects). This is truly the end of an era, and it would be a shame if his #5 isn’t retired by the Mets.

Michael Mayer (MMO & MMN)

I’m happy that David Wright will get exactly what he hoped for, one last time on a major league field and for that to be in front of his two young daughters. Sad that it has to end this way, but it also gives the Mets a better idea of their roster going into 2019 as well.

Wright is the best position player in Mets history and deserves this type of send off.

Pete McCarthy (WOR Sports Zone)

I won’t lie. It got a bit dusty listening to David Wright make it clear he wouldn’t be continuing his career beyond this season. Even though it’s the result I thought made the most sense for Wright and the Mets, hearing the emotion in Wright’s voice and the finality of it all hit me, and I’m sure anyone who has followed Wright’s career and comeback attempts. It was great taking calls between games of the doubleheader and after the final game with fans sharing stories of Wright going out of his way to sign an autograph, take a picture, or calling just to acknowledge the character Wright displayed during his Mets career. It’s rare that one’s idols are who we like to think they are but in the case of those who grew up idolizing Wright, they can feel confident they chose wisely. That final homestand will be bigger and have more emotion than any of us can imagine right now. Former teammates of Wright’s will be there and for the first time in Mets history there will be proper send off for a bonafide franchise player.

Meek Phil

David Wright was the first athlete I really became attached to growing up. People don’t realize how great of a player he was in his prime and seeing his career end like this is incredibly unfair.

Metstradamus (Metstradamus Blog)

The only thing I ever hoped for with Wright is that when the end comes, it comes with no regrets. Considering how hard he has worked for two and a half years to try to overcome a huge setback like spinal stenosis, I can’t imagine that David thinks he left anything on the table. So kudos to David for giving it a real shot.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please make sure you take the time to read Metradamus’ article entitled David Wright Gets One Last Homestand.

Greg Prince (Faith and Fear in Flushing)

In the short term, I embrace that there’s been resolution. David will play. That’s all we and he could have asked for.

I’m sorry that all of David’s efforts have led to no more than (presumably) one final appearance. It would have been beautiful had rehabilitation equaled rejuvenation. That, apparently, was too much to ask for.

But you can’t be a baseball fan without being a romantic, and I embrace the romance of one final jog out to third base, one final tossing the ball around the infield, one final grabbing of a grounder, one final swing, perhaps one final hit, definitely one final bow.

The finality is bracing, but it was coming sooner or later. It’s rare that it is presented to us so definitively. Unless it rains.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Make sure to read Greg’s other poignant statements on Wright in his article Resetting Expectations.

Patrick O.

Tim Ryder (MMO, Good Fundies)

As sad as it that David Wright is hanging them up, I can’t help but feel privileged to have been a Mets fan during his tenure and to have seen the heights he reached. When I hear folks talk about Tom Seaver, I’m envious that I didnt get to see him pitch. When my kids ask me about David Wright, I’ll be able to tell them how strong, courageous, determined, and perfect he was as a ballplayer and as a human being. He’s earned this last hurrah. Let’s give him the send-off he deserves.

Anthony Scaramucci

Great athlete but better person than athlete. Was a role model to my sons and we wish him the best. Should be lifetime captain of the Mets.

Dilip Sridhar (MMO & MMN)

There are two ways to look at David Wright and both justify his greatness. There are the numbers and there is the class and persona he held.

Most if not every metric that is used to judge a player would agree that Wright is quite easily the best to ever put on the orange and blue. Wright’s numbers seem very hard to beat and only two Mets on the current roster have a shot at ever catching him. Players of Wright’s caliber don’t just grow on trees and fans will see that very soon. He was on a hall of fame path if not for the spinal stenosis.

The class and persona is what makes him stand out over the other great Mets. Not once was Wright embroiled in a scandal or was he in the news for the wrong reasons. He gave Mets fans a true example of how to handle themselves and made the franchise presentable in a time where they were not. Even when the injuries struck, he never took attention from his teammates and he never tried to pass off the blame. He earned the title of “Captain.”

As a kid who grew up in the era of Wright and as someone who’s had to go though multiple surgeries in a small span of time like Wright, he has taught me to never lose my values and never lose my drive. I thank him for his time with the Mets and wish him all the best going forward. Re5pect

Breanna Susa (That Mets Chick)

I grew up watching David Wright from the moment he got his call up in 2004. Him and Jose Reyes were the reasons why I got into baseball at such a young age. They were the corner stone on the left side of the infield. Young, energetic and fun to watch. I played softball up until my last year in college and I used to emulate his at bat rituals. He would tuck his bat underneath his arm and redo his batting gloves. He would take a deep breath before getting back into the batters box. David Wright was my idol growing up.

I’m so sad about David Wright retiring. I feel a pit in my stomach, kinda after a breakup. David Wright broke up with me. Heartbroken. 

Mets Daddy

We all wanted Wright to be our Derek Jeter, but he turned out being our Don Mattingly.  He was the great player in our franchise history forced to retire before his time due to back problems.  However, with all due respect to Mattlingly, Wright was a better player, and he was much more than that.

Wright was special.  He was the guy who grew up wanting to be a Met, and unlike so many of us, he accomplished that dream.  Unlike Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden, Wright didn’t let anything get in the way of achieving greatness.  Unlike Seaver, Wright would play his whole career with the Mets.

We know Seaver is the greatest player who will ever don a Mets uniform, but Wright is the most beloved.  That is why seeing all that has transpired just hurts.

He didn’t win a World Series because Guillermo Mota shook off Paul Lo Duca, two collapses which he did all he could do to prevent, and because Terry Collins managerial gaffes coupled with some late game errors.  He didn’t set some records because of the comical dimensions of early Citi Field.  He may not get into the Hall of Fame because of those dimensions.   Mostly, he may not get in because of his health.

Through all of it, Wright was truly great.  Likely, he was the greatest position player the Mets have ever seen, and it is going to be hard to see him go.  But, by the same token it is good to see he is able to leave the game with his head held high and with his dignity.  We are not going to have stories about Wright falling down and failing like the Willie Mays stories of him falling down in center field.  No, we have just the best memories of him playing.

Really, it’s hard to pick a favorite.  There’s the bare-handed catch.  Him diving into the stands.  The game winning hits.  His euphoria over winning the division or going to World Series.  His homer in his first game back, the slide against the Nationals, his fist pump in the NLDS, and the homer in Game 3.  There are so many to choose.  That’s what happens when you have a great career.

So on Saturday, I will be able to take my son to a game to let him one of the greatest Mets to ever play the game take the field for the last time.  As a parent and an ardent Mets fan, it is something I always wanted to do with my sons.  I just wish there was a chance for my oldest to go to Citi Field and have an opportunity to remember Wright playing in a Mets uniform.