Mets’ Wright walks off to long ovation
New York — David Wright left to a long standing ovation before a sellout crowd at Citi Field in his farewell game for the New York Mets on Saturday night.
The team captain went 0 for 1 with a walk against the Miami Marlins and was removed after two plate appearances as planned. On defense, he handled a one-hopper to third base with no problem.
Wright, who fouled out to first base his final time up, took his position before the top of the fifth inning. Mets manager Mickey Callaway then came out of the dugout to make a lineup change, and Wright began his slow walk off the field.
As fans chanted his name and cheered for about 3 minutes, 15 seconds, Wright saluted them by touching the bill of his cap and patting his chest repeatedly. He went down the line and hugged all his teammates just in front of the Mets' dugout, with Marlins players standing and applauding from across the field.
His stellar career cut short by injuries, the 35-year-old Wright completed an arduous comeback by returning to the majors this week for the first time since May 27, 2016.
Unable to fully overcome his physical setbacks, he said he expects Saturday to be his last big league game even though his contract runs through 2020.
With watery eyes, Wright took a bow, blew a kiss to the crowd and came out of the dugout for a curtain call before heading up the runway toward the Mets' clubhouse, followed by several teammates.
Once he was out of sight, fans chanted "Thank you, David!"
Wright was reinstated from the disabled list Tuesday and finally made it back into a big league game Friday night as a pinch-hitter. He grounded out on the only pitch he saw in his first plate appearance in nearly 2½ years, then batted third in a ceremonial start Saturday that was in the works for weeks.
With family and friends on hand, the seven-time All-Star crouched behind home plate to scoop up an honorary first ball tossed by the oldest of his two daughters, 2-year-old Olivia, who wore a Lil Wright jersey with his No. 5 on the back.
Highlights of Wright's career played on the ballpark video board just before the first pitch. He bounded out to third base alone, followed by longtime teammate and buddy Jose Reyes, who started alongside Wright at shortstop for the first time since Sept. 28, 2011.
Reyes doubled leading off the first and reached third on Jeff McNeil's sacrifice bunt, setting up an RBI opportunity for Wright. With the Marlins playing their infield in, Wright fouled off a 91 mph fastball and drew a full-count walk from rookie pitcher Trevor Richards.
Wright was immediately erased on a double play. He fouled out on the second pitch he saw leading off the fourth, with first baseman Peter O'Brien making a not-so-easy catch near the retaining wall that turned him into the target of boisterous boos the rest of the game.
Still grinning a bit, a disappointed Wright walked slowly back to the dugout.