Zimmerman’s run mirrors Wright’s

HOUSTON — The longtoiling iconic player from Virginia, sticking with his team through dramatic ups and downs, finally made the World Series.

Yeah, Ryan Zimmerman appreciated the parallels between his career journey and David Wright’s.

“He texted me, just a congratulations,” Zimmerman said Monday of Wright, who now works as a Mets special adviser. “We keep in touch quite a bit through the year. Obviously a good friend and I respect everything that he did.”

Wright made his World Series debut in 2015 at age 32, in his 12th season with the Mets. He already had been diagnosed with spinal stenosis and had to know his days were numbered; he played in only 37 games the subsequent season and then made two ceremonial appearances at the end of the 2018 season, by which point he already had announced the end of his career.

Zimmerman, 35 and in his 15th season as a National — he became the franchise’s first-ever amateur draft selection in 2005 and debuted in the big leagues that season — doesn’t play with such a serious injury on his résumé as he prepares to take on the Astros; he’ll likely start at first base in Tuesday night’s Game 1 at Minute Maid Park. He has performed well in the Nats’ inspiring run to the championship round, slashing .290/.313/.484 in the nine games. Little doubt exists that his mere presence in the clubhouse brings value.

“When you think of the Washington Nationals, he’s the face of the franchise,” Nats Game 1 starter Max Scherzer said. “He’s the player you think of. For him to be here this whole time, seen it from the good to the bad and now here we are in the World Series, that’s a testament of what he’s done for this organization.