Later today, Prince Fielder is holding a press conference to announce his retirement. Fielder is retiring after having had two cervical fusion surgeries over the past three seasons. Fielder is “retiring” because no doctor will medically clear him to play baseball again.

It’s a sad end to the only 32 years old Fielder’s career. Over his 12 year career, Fielder hit .283/.382/.506 with 319 homers and 1,028 RBI. Coincidentally, his father, Cecil Fielder, had his career cut short due to injuries, and he finished his career with 319 homers as well.

Despite his girth, Fielder was quite possibly the most durable player in baseball. From his first full season with the Brewers in 2006 until his last year with the Tigers in 2012, Fielder played 157 games or more each season. He played in 162 games in four of those eight seasons. Over that stretch, he was one of the most feared hitters in baseball hitting .286/.390/.528 while averaging 35 homers and 108 RBI. Arguably, he was putting together a Hall of Fame career before injuries struck. Now, Fielder finds himself on the outside looking in when it comes to possibly being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

With Fielder retiring, you just can’t help thinking about David Wright.

Like Fielder, Wright just had cervical fusion surgery this year. Like Fielder, this is Wright’s second major injury over the past couple of seasons. Furthermore, like Fielder, Wright has seen a potential Hall of Fame career derailed by injuries.

However, unlike Fielder, Wright is not ready to call it quits just yet. As Wright said, his plan is to return next year saying, “I plan on coming back and being the player that I feel like I’m capable of being.” (James Wagner, New York Times). Bottom line is Wright loves baseball, and he would do it all over again knowing the injuries he has sustained saying, “I love the game of baseball. I can’t wait to get back out there. But the most important thing for me now is my health and trying to get my neck healed.” (Adam Rubin, ESPN.com).

So far, Wright hasn’t been beaten down by the injuries to the extent Fielder has. However, with the spinal stenosis and this cervical fusion surgery, you have to wonder how much longer until a doctor says Wright can no longer play? For that matter, when is Wright going to finally say it is no longer worth it? For his sake, and for those Mets fans that love him dearly, hopefully that day won’t come until Wright leaves on his own terms, which would hopefully include a World Series ring.

Unfortunately, Prince Fielder didn’t get that chance. His fusion surgeries were too much for him. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that for David Wright.