Jump to content

David Wright: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m Reverting possible vandalism by The EthWebster to version by 71.167.168.135. False positive? Report it. Thanks, ClueBot NG. (1605943) (Bot)
Undid revision 551933826 by ClueBot NG (talk)
Line 1: Line 1:
David Wright is a greenhill pupil.
{{otheruses}}
{{Infobox MLB player
|name =David Wright
|image =David Wright on September 23, 2012.jpg
|image caption=Wright in 2006
|position =[[Third baseman]]
|team =New York Mets
|number =5
|bats =Right
|throws =Right
|birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1982|12|20}}
|birth_place =[[Norfolk, Virginia]]
|debutdate =July 21
|debutyear =2004
|debutteam =New York Mets
|statyear =April 19, 2013
|stat1label =[[Batting average]]
|stat1value =.301
|stat2label =[[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
|stat2value =1,444
|stat3label =[[Home run]]s
|stat3value =206
|stat4label =[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat4value =832
|stat5label =[[Runs (baseball)|Runs]]
|stat5value =802
|stat6label =[[Stolen bases]]
|stat6value =170
|awards=<nowiki></nowiki>
* 6× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2006]]&ndash;[[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2010]], [[2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2012]])
* 2× [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove Award]] ({{mlby|2007}}&ndash;{{mlby|2008}})
* 2× [[Louisville Silver Slugger Award|Silver Slugger Award]] ({{mlby|2007}}&ndash;{{mlby|2008}})
* [[30–30 club]] (2007)
* TYIB Awards [[Rookie of the Year (award)|Rookie of the Year]] ({{mlby|2004}})
* [[Captain (baseball)|Captain]] of the [[New York Mets]] (2013-present)
* Multiple Mets franchise records
* 2× [[World Baseball Classic]] selection ([[2009 World Baseball Classic|2009]], [[2013 World Baseball Classic|2013]])
|teams=<nowiki></nowiki>
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|2004}}–present)

}}
'''David Allen Wright''' (born December 20, 1976) is an [[United States|American]] [[baseball]] [[third base]]man for the [[New York Mets]] of [[Major League Baseball]]. He was drafted by the Mets in 2001, and made his Major League debut in 2004. Wright is a six-time [[All-Star]], two-time [[Gold Glove Award]] winner and two-time [[Silver Slugger Award]] winner. He also is a member of the [[30–30 club]]. In addition, he holds the Mets record for most career [[Run batted in|RBIs]], [[Double (baseball)|doubles]], [[total bases]], [[runs scored]], and [[hit (baseball)|hits]]. He was named captain of the Mets in 2013, the fourth captain in team history.

==Early life==
Wright was born in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], and raised in [[Chesapeake, Virginia]]. Wright attended [[Hickory High School (Virginia)|Hickory High School]] in Chesapeake and worked extensively with Coach Gregory Friedman of Bellmore JFK. Wright was the 2001 Gatorade Virginia High School Player of the Year. Wright also earned All-State honors in 1999, 2000 and 2001 and was named Virginia All-State Player of the Year in 2001. Over his four-year career at Hickory, Wright hit .438 with 13 home runs and 90 RBIs. Wright planned to attend [[Georgia Tech]] and major in engineering.{{Citation needed|date=July 2012}}

==Professional career==

===Minor leagues===
Wright was chosen by the Mets in the [[2001 in baseball|2001]] [[2001 Major League Baseball Draft|amateur draft]] during the supplemental round as compensation for the Mets' loss of [[Mike Hampton]] to the [[Colorado Rockies]] in free agency. Wright was selected after future teammate [[Aaron Heilman]] who had been selected in the first round.
Wright progressed steadily in his first three years of [[minor league]] play, winning the Sterling award for best player on the class A [[St. Lucie Mets]] in [[2003 in baseball|2003]]. In [[2004 in baseball|2004]], he quickly rose from the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Binghamton Mets]], to the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Norfolk Tides]], to the major leagues.

===Major leagues===

====2004====
On July 21, 2004, he made his major league debut starting at third base against the [[Montreal Expos]]. Since then, Wright has been the Mets regular starting third baseman. During his first major league season, he had a .347 [[batting average]], 23 [[home run]]s and 77 RBIs in 263 at bats in 69 games, and was voted as the [[This Year in Baseball Awards]] Rookie of the Year.

====2005====
In 2005, the 22-year-old Wright played in 160 games and batted .306 with 27 home runs, 99 runs, 102 RBIs, 42 doubles, and 17 stolen bases, leading the team in average, runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, RBI, doubles, and finishing second in home runs to [[Cliff Floyd]] (34). Wright was also in the top ten in the [[National League]] for average, hits, total bases, RBI, extra base hits, and runs. Wright's 24 errors tied him with [[Troy Glaus]] for the most errors by a third baseman in the major leagues.<ref name="espn-error">{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding?groupId=9&sortColumn=errors&sortOrder=true&split=81&qualified=null&season=2005&seasonType=2|title=MLB Baseball Fielding Statistics and League Leaders|publisher=Sports.espn.go.com|accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

Wright caught a ball bare-handed and over the shoulder during the seventh inning of a game at [[PETCO Park]] against the [[San Diego Padres]] on August 9, 2005. With one out in the inning, [[Brian Giles]] hit a blooper {{convert|20|ft|m}} beyond the edge of the outfield grass. Wright, retreating quickly with his back to home plate, extended his bare right hand and caught the ball cleanly while crashing to the ground. Wright would maintain control of the ball after landing hard on the [[outfield]] grass. The sellout crowd at PETCO Park acknowledged the splendor of the catch with a standing ovation lasting several minutes. This play was voted the "This Year in Baseball Play of the Year."<ref name="TYIB">{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/awards/y2005/tyib/index.jsp|title=2005 This Year in Baseball Awards|publisher=Mlb.mlb.com|date=January 1, 2011|accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

====2006====
[[File:David Wright warmup 2.jpg|thumbnail|left|David Wright warming up.]]
In 2006, Wright was named National League Co-Player of the Week for June 12–18 along with teammate [[José Reyes (shortstop)|José Reyes]].<ref name="PlayerOfTheWeek">{{cite web|author=By&nbsp;Jenifer Langosch&nbsp;/&nbsp;MLB.com |url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060619jkweb|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060703&content_id=1536755&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=David Wright of Mets and Chris Young of Padres voted National League Player and Pitcher of the Month for June|publisher=Newyork.mets.mlb.com|date=January 1, 2011|accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref> For the month, Wright batted .327 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs.

Wright also provided his share of heroics throughout the 2006 season. His first game-winning hit occurred on May 5 with a 2-out double just out of the reach of a chasing [[Andruw Jones]] in the bottom of the 14th inning off [[Jorge Sosa]] to defeat the [[Atlanta Braves]], 8–7. Two weeks later on May 19, he hit a walk-off single off vaunted closer [[Mariano Rivera]] that just sailed over the head of center fielder [[Johnny Damon]] as the Mets rallied to beat the Yankees in the first game of the 2006 [[Subway Series]], 7–6. He capped off the month on Memorial Day, May 29, with a single to the wall in left-center field off [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] closer [[José Valverde]] scoring José Reyes from first base as the Mets defeated Arizona, 8–7. Wright also made a game-saving stop at third base of a would-be game-tying single by [[Mike Lieberthal]] for the final out of a 4–3 Mets victory over Philadelphia on August 5.

Wright was voted on to his first MLB [[All-Star Game]] as the starting third baseman for the NL. During the 2006 season, Wright collected 74 RBIs before the All-Star Break, breaking the Mets record previously held by Mike Piazza, who had 72 RBIs in 2000. Wright also participated in the [[2006 in baseball|2006]] [[Home Run Derby]], reaching the final round but finishing second to [[Ryan Howard]] of the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]. He hit 22 home runs in the contest, including 16 in the first round, the third highest total in any one round in the history of the Home Run Derby.<ref name="SIHRDerby">{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/specials/all_star/2006/07/10/home.run.derby.ap/index.html|title=King of swing|accessdate=July 11, 2006|date=July 10, 2006|agency=Associated Press|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060721084235/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/specials/all_star/2006/07/10/home.run.derby.ap/index.html|archivedate=July 21, 2006}}</ref> The following night, he hit a home run in his first [[All-Star Game]] at-bat off American League starting pitcher [[Kenny Rogers (baseball player)|Kenny Rogers]].

Wright ranked among the club's top three hitters in all offensive categories for the 2006 Mets, who were the second most run-scoring team in the National League. Fans at [[Shea Stadium]] have routinely greeted Wright's performances with chants of "M-V-P, M-V-P." According to then teammate [[Tom Glavine]], "He's probably been our most clutch hitter over the first half of the season and he's certainly thrown his hat into the MVP talks."<ref name="MVPtalk">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-spmets104812710jul10,0,3098740.story?coll=ny-mets-print|title=An All-Star Met makes own break|accessdate=July 24, 2006|last=Lennon|first=David|date=July 10, 2006|publisher=[[Newsday]]}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

On August 6, 2006, Wright signed a 6-year contract extension with the Mets worth $55 million, as well as a $1.5 million signing bonus. The contract paid him $1 million in 2007, $5 million in 2008, $7.5 million in 2009, & $10 million in 2010, $14 million in 2011, and $15 million in 2012. The contract also contains a club option for 2013 which is worth $16 million. Wright has already announced that he will donate $1.5 million to the Mets Foundation throughout the course of this contract.<ref name="contract">{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2541623|title=Mets sign Wright to six-year, $55M extension|accessdate=August 6, 2006|date=August 6, 2006|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

The Mets captured the NL East title in 2006 and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2000. Wright struggled in his first and only postseason, going 4–25 (.160) in the Mets' NLCS loss to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], and batting a mere .216 in 10 postseason games.

Wright participated in the 2006 [[Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series]] along with fellow teammates José Reyes, [[Julio Franco]], and [[John Maine]].

====2007====
[[File:David Wright.jpg|thumb|right|Wright in spring training in 2007]]
As of April 19, 2007, Wright had a hit streak of 26 regular season games; the previous team record was 24, held by [[Mike Piazza]] and [[Hubie Brooks]]. He had a hit in the 12 final regular season games of the 2006 season, and had a hit in all of the first 14 games of the 2007 season.<ref>[http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjjuL5Y6jpWi2t_iW9bIiIkRvLYF?slug=ap-mets-wrightsstreak&prov=ap&type=lgns Yahoo! Sports: Wright sets Mets record with 25-game hitting streak]. Retrieved on 2007-04-18.</ref> Wright's hit streak of 26 regular season games ended on April 21, 2007 against the Atlanta Braves at Shea Stadium. Wright went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and walked once.

On September 16, 2007, Wright became the 29th and one of the youngest players in baseball history to join the 30–30 club, after hitting a 7th inning solo home run against the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] at Shea Stadium. He is only the third player to reach this milestone before his 25th birthday, and only the third Met to reach this milestone in club history, the other two being Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry.

Wright was awarded the 2007 [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove]] and the Silver Slugger Award at third base. He also was fourth in the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|NL MVP]] voting receiving 182 votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3120573 |title=Rollins, who spurred Phils into playoffs, wins MVP |publisher=Sports.espn.go.com |date=November 21, 2007 |accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

====2008====
[[File:David Wright on June 23, 2008.jpg|thumbnail|left|David Wright in mid-swing.]]
Wright began the year with two doubles, including a bases-clearing double, in finishing 2–4 with three RBIs in the Mets' Opening Day victory over the Marlins, 7–2. With the RBIs, Wright already halfway matched his RBI production from the preceding April. In the final game of the series, Wright went 3–5 with a 3-run home run. On April 13, Wright hit his 100th career home run, a solo shot off of [[Milwaukee Brewers]] pitcher [[Jeff Suppan]].

Wright hit his first-ever [[walk-off home run]] of his baseball career on August 7, 2008.

On November 5, 2008, Wright was announced as the recipient of the Rawlings' Gold Glove Award for third basemen. It was the second consecutive year in which Wright won the award. His teammate, Carlos Beltran, also won the award for center fielders. He also won his second [[Silver Slugger Award]].

On December 22, 2008, Wright was announced as a member of Team USA in the [[2009 World Baseball Classic]] (WBC) to be held in March 2009. The third base position was taken by [[Alex Rodriguez]] in the [[2006 World Baseball Classic|2006 WBC]], but Rodriguez was on the Dominican Team in 2009's Classic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081222&content_id=3725694&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym|publisher=MLB.com|date=December 22, 2008|accessdate=June 30, 2009|author=Anthony DiComo|title=Wright to join Team USA in Classic}}</ref>

Wright finished seventh in the voting for the 2008 NL MVP award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081117&content_id=3681885&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|publisher=MLB.com|date=November 17, 2008|accessdate=June 30, 2009|author=Matthew Leach|title=Crowning achievement: Pujols NL MVP}}</ref>

====2009====
Wright hit the first Mets home run in [[Citi Field]] history on Monday, April 13, 2009, Citi Field's Opening Day. The three-run home run was hit off [[San Diego Padres]] pitcher [[Walter Silva]] in the 5th inning.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boxscore: San Diego vs. NY Mets – April 13, 2009|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_04_13_sdnmlb_nynmlb_1|accessdate=April 15, 2009}}</ref>

In mid-August when 10 Mets players were on the [[disabled list]], Wright would soon be added to the list after sustaining an injury on August 15. Wright suffered a concussion when he was hit in the head with a {{convert|93|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} [[fastball]] by [[San Francisco Giants]] [[pitcher]] [[Matt Cain]]. He was admitted to the [[Hospital for Special Surgery]], where he underwent a precautionary [[CT scan]] which turned out negative.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mets' David Wright leaves game after getting drilled in the head by fastball from Giants' Matt Cain
|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2009/08/15/2009-08-15_mets_david_wright_leaves_game.html#ixzz0OJL194NT|date=August 15, 2009|accessdate=August 15, 2009|location=New York|work=Daily News|first=Anthony|last=Mccarron}}</ref> The following day he left the hospital diagnosed with post-concussion symptoms. He was then placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Health: Wright to Disabled List
|url=http://www.metsblog.com/2009/08/16/health-wright-to-disabled-list/|date=August 16, 2009|accessdate=August 16, 2009|publisher=SNY.tv|work=Mets blog}}</ref>

Despite the injury to Wright, Mets General Manager [[Omar Minaya]] stated that there were no plans to shut him down for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Quote: Omar Minaya on David Wright Situation
|url=http://www.metsblog.com/2009/08/16/quote-omar-minaya-on-david-wright-situation/|date=August 16, 2009|accessdate=August 16, 2009}}</ref> In fact, Wright was activated from the disabled list on September 1 and started at third base against the Colorado Rockies that evening. In that game, Wright wore a new style of batting helmet (the Rawlings S100). He would abandon that helmet after wearing it in that one game. Wright explained that he found the helmet uncomfortable. "It's the last thing I need to be worrying about in the box is trying to shove it on my head. So I wanted to go back to the old one and just wait to see if there's going to be any adjustments made." <ref>{{cite web|title=Wright back to wearing old helmet| url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090904&content_id=6786910&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb| date=September 4, 2009| accessdate=September 4, 2009|work=MLB.com|last=Bollinger|first=Rhett}}</ref> Wright experienced a sharp decline in production after a potent campaign in 2008. His home run total dwindled to 10, while his RBI total fell to 72, after hitting 33 home runs and 124 RBIs the previous season. His strike out total also spiked to a career high 140 for the season. Analysts{{Who|date=August 2012}} speculated that Citi Field's large dimensions, and increased pressure to perform for an injury depleted team caused his sudden drop-off.

====2010====
Wright, along with Jose Reyes, arrived at the Mets's Spring Training camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida two weeks early to get a head start on preparing themselves after a disappointing 2009 campaign. Wright came into camp heavier than he has in previous seasons, adding more muscle to his body.<ref>{{cite news|title=After HRs fall off, Mets' Wright adds muscle
|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/after_hrs_fall_off_david_adds_muscle_B1KjlFv5kfZdFbWqz1ANKN|work=New York Post|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|date=February 21, 2010}}</ref>

On Opening Day, Wright hit a two run home run off of the Marlins' [[Josh Johnson (baseball)|Josh Johnson]] in his first at bat of the season. On April 27 in the second game of a double header against the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], Wright reached the 1,000 hit mark against pitcher [[Ramón Troncoso]] in the bottom of the 5th inning as he hit a two-out RBI single scoring [[Ángel Pagán]] and giving the Mets a 4–3 lead. In the following inning, Wright hit a 3-run triple to the right-center field wall, scoring Pagán, [[Luis Castillo (baseball)|Luis Castillo]], and José Reyes, and giving the Mets a 10–3 lead at the time. The Mets won the game 10–5. On May 20, he hit a three run double after Mets manager Jerry Manuel gave Wright a day off. By June 25, Wright had 12 home runs, which led the team, and was batting .294 with 57 RBIs to lead the N.L. On July 4, 2010, Wright was named the starting third baseman for the National League in the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and became Wright's fifth consecutive All-Star Game appearance. On July 6, Wright was named the June 2010 National League Player of the Month after he hit .404 with 11 doubles, 6 home runs, and 29 RBIs. On July 13, 2010, Wright collected 2 hits and a stolen base in the 81st All-Star Game in Anaheim. He is now 6-for-13 in his All-Star Game at bats. He is tied for fifth all-time in All-Star Game batting average. As of August 20, he has more than doubled his home run total from 2009.

Wright finished the season with a .283 batting average, .354 on-base percantage, 29 home runs, 103 RBIs, 69 walks, and 19 stolen bases. He led all major league third basemen in errors, with 20.

====2011====
[[File:David Wright on July 21, 2012.jpg|thumbnail|right|Wright batting.]]
On April 5, 2011, Wright singled against the Phillies' Cole Hamels for his 90th career game-winning RBI, surpassing Mike Piazza for the most in Mets history. Then on May 16, 2011, after undergoing examination by team doctors, it was announced Wright had a [[stress (mechanics)|stress]] [[fracture]] in his lower back. The injury (caused by a diving tag on the Astro's Carlos Lee){{Citation needed|date=July 2012}} forced him to spend over two months on the [[disabled list]]. Wright was activated from the DL on July 22, 2011. That day, he went two-for-five and had two RBIs and scored two runs against the [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]]. In his first series coming back from the DL, Wright hit six-for-14, with one home run, three doubles and six RBIs. Wright enjoyed a career first on August 7, 2011; playing [[shortstop]] for the first time in his professional career due to injuries to José Reyes and [[Daniel Murphy (baseball)|Daniel Murphy]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Taube|first=Aaron|title=Injuries force Wright to play short for the first time|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110807&content_id=22900336&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym|work=MLB.com|accessdate=August 8, 2011|date=August 7, 2011}}</ref> In only 102 games Wright finished the season with a .254 batting average, .345 on-base percantage, 14 home runs, 61 RBIs, 52 walks, and 13 stolen bases.

====2012====
[[File:David Wright (June 2012).jpg|thumbnail|right|Wright at Doger Stadium in June,2012]]
On April 5, Wright went 2-3 with a walk on as the Mets' Opening Day third-baseman against the Braves, where Wright drove in [[Andrés Torres]] with a single for the game-winning run in the 6th inning off of [[Tommy Hanson]], giving the Mets the 1-0 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_05_atlmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=nym|title=Solid Johan, Wright's key hit propel Mets|work=MLB.com|first=Anthony|last=DiComo|date=April 5, 2012}}</ref> Less than a week later, on April 11, Wright [[fractured]] his right [[little finger|pinkie]] while diving into first base on a pick-off attempt.<ref>{{cite web|title=David Wright has broken pinkie|url=http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7796994/new-york-mets-david-wright-suffered-broken-pinkie|publisher=espn.com|accessdate=21 May 2012}}</ref> After missing just three games, Wright returned to the lineup,going 3-for-5 against the [[Phillies]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rapid Reaction: Mets 5, Phillies 0|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/42645/rapid-reaction-mets-5-phillies-0|publisher=espn.com|accessdate=21 May 2012}}</ref> Then on April 25, Wright hit a two run home run in a 5-1 victory against the [[Miami Marlins]], giving him 735 career RBIs, passing [[Darryl Strawberry]] for the most in Mets franchise history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_25_miamlb_nynmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=nym| title=Wright's historic homer lifts Mets to win|work=MLB.com|first=Anthony|last=DiComo|date=April 25, 2012}}</ref> Wright broke another franchise record on June 5, when he hit a solo-shot off of [[Washington Nationals]] pitcher [[Jordan Zimmermann]], driving himself in and reaching 736 runs. The previous record holder was José Reyes at 735 runs. On July 1, it was announced that Wright had made his 6th All-Star team, but as a back up to [[Pablo Sandoval]]. Wright led the All-Star vote for most of the year but was overtaken the last week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/50096/sandoval-catches-wright-dickey-a-star |title=Sandoval catches Wright, Dickey a Star |deadurl=no |accessdate=1 July 2012|last=Rubin|first=Adam|work=ESPN.com}}</ref> For the first half of the season Wright was either atop or close to the top of the league in both batting average and on-base percentage, and leads NL third basemen in average, OBP, slugging, hits and runs scored.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wright, Dickey on NL All-Star team|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120701&content_id=34263240&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym|publisher=Mets.com|date=1 July 2012|accessdate=2 July 2012|last=DiComo|first=Anthony}}</ref> After the All-Star break the Mets had their worst stretch to that point in the season, losing six straight, but on July 19, Wright hit two home runs and had five RBIs to help the Mets end their losing streak.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wright belts pair of homers as Dickey wins 13th|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_07_19_nynmlb_wasmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=nym#gid=2012_07_19_nynmlb_wasmlb_1&mode=box|publisher=mlb.com|accessdate=19 July 2012}}</ref> He hit his 200th career home run in a loss on August 24 to the [[Houston Astros]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120824&content_id=37278428&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym|title=Wright's 200th career homer upheld after review|publisher=Major League Baseball Advanced Media|work=[[MLB.com]]|date=24 August 2012|last=DiComo|first=Anthony|accessdate=25 August 2012}}</ref> On September 25, 2012, Wright tied the all time hit record with the Mets [[Ed Kranepool]] with 1,418 hits in a game at home against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wright Ties Kranepool’s Franchise Hit Mark During Mets’ Loss To Pirates|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/09/25/wright-ties-kranepools-franchise-hit-mark-during-mets-loss-to-pirates/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter|publisher=CBS News New York|accessdate=26 September 2012}}</ref> Then on September 26 2012, Wright surpassed Kranepool as Mets all-time hit record holder with an infield single also at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Wright finished 6th in the voting for the 2012 National League [[Most Valuable Player]].

On November 30, 2012, [[Ed Coleman (radio personality)|Ed Coleman]] and WFAN reported that Wright and the Mets agreed to a 7 year contract extension worth $138 million (7 years for $122 million plus a club option for $16 million that the club picked up for the 2013 season). The contract became official on December 4 after Wright passed a physical.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121204&content_id=40518804&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|title=Mets, David Wright make contract extension official|last=DiComo|first=Anthony|work=MLB.com|date=December 4, 2012|accessdate=December 4, 2012}}</ref>

Wright will have to wait until 2025 to receive all the money from his $138 million, eight-year contract with the Mets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mets To Pay For Wright’s Eight-Year Contract Through 2025|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/12/13/mets-to-pay-for-wrights-eight-year-contract-through-2025/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter|publisher=CBS News New York|accessdate=13 December 2012}}</ref>

====2013====
After a spring training game on March 21, the Mets announced that Wright had been named the fourth team captain in Mets history, joining [[Keith Hernandez]], [[Gary Carter]], and [[John Franco]].<ref>http://metsblog.com/metsblog/david-wright-named-captain-of-the-mets/</ref>
On April 3, 2013 Ride Of Fame honored Wright as their new inductee.

==World Baseball Classic==
[[File:David Wright, 2009 World Baseball Classic.jpg|220px|thumb|Wright batting for the U.S. national team.]]
Wright was selected to play third base for the [[United States national baseball team|United States]] in the [[2009 World Baseball Classic]]. In the second round, with the United States facing elimination against [[Puerto Rico]], Wright delivered a 9th inning walk-off hit against [[Fernando Cabrera (baseball)|Fernando Cabrera]] to win the game for the Americans. The win guaranteed Team USA a spot in the semifinal round.

He has also been selected to play third base in the [[2013 World Baseball Classic]]. In the 2013 WBC, Wright hit a grand slam in the United States's game against Italy. It was the second time a United States player hit a grand slam in WBC play. In the second round opener against Puerto Rico Wright had 5 RBI, getting 3 of them to help extend the US's lead to 7-1 and the most RBI in the tournament, earning the nickname "[[Captain America]]".<ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/captain-america-fits-wright-classic-article-1.1286961</ref> Wright would sit out during the US loss to the Dominican Republic in the following game, citing soreness. He would later be diagnosed with sore ribs and sent back to New York for further examination, ending his participation for the rest of the 2013 tournament.

==Notable feats==
* TYIB Awards [[Rookie of the Year (award)|Rookie of the Year]] (2004)<ref>{{cite web|title=2004 This Year in Baseball Awards|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/awards/y2004/tyib/tyib_awards_rookie.jsp|publisher=mlb.com|accessdate=16 May 2012}}</ref>
* 1× MLB.com Play of the Year (2005, Barehanded Catch)
* 3× NL [[Player of the Week]] (8/28/2005, 6/18/2006, 9/6/11)<ref name="David Wright Stats">{{cite web|title=David Wright Stats|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=431151&c_id=nym&player_name=David-Wright#gameType=%27R%27|publisher=mets.com|accessdate=16 May 2012}}</ref>
* 2× [[National League|NL]] [[Player of the Month]] (6/2006, 6/2010)<ref name="David Wright Stats"/>
* MLB Home Run Derby runner up (2006)
* 6× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selection ([[2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2006]], [[2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2007]], [[2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2008]], [[2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2009]], [[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2010]], [[2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2012]])
* 2× [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove Award]] winner (2007, 2008)
* 2× [[Louisville Silver Slugger Award|Silver Slugger Award]] winner (2007, 2008)
* [[30–30 club]] (2007)
* [[New Jersey Sports Writers Association]] "Sports Humanitarian of the Year" (2008)<ref>{{cite web|first=Ed|last=Barmakian|title=New York Mets' David Wright tells New Jersey Sports Writers Association he's excited about World Baseball Classic|date=January 25, 2009|publisher=The [[Star-Ledger]]|work=NJ.com (New Jersey On-Line LLC)|url=http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2009/01/new_york_mets_david_wright_tel.html|accessdate=January 19, 2011}}</ref>
* 2× Mets Heart and Hustle Award (2008, 2009)
* [[List of New York Mets team records#Career batting|New York Mets career RBI leader]]
* [[List of New York Mets team records#Career batting|New York Mets career doubles leader]]
* [[List of New York Mets team records#Career batting|New York Mets career total bases leader]]
* [[List of New York Mets team records#Career batting|New York Mets career runs scored leader]]
* [[List of New York Mets team records#Career batting|New York Mets career hits leader]]

==Personal==
Wright has maintained homes on the [[Lower East Side]] of [[Manhattan]]<ref name="LowerEastSide">{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050624&content_id=1102413&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Notes: Wright soaks up Yankee Stadium|accessdate=July 19, 2006|last=Hoch|first=Bryan|date=June 24, 2005|publisher=[[MLB]].com}}</ref> and in [[Manalapan, New Jersey]], wherein he owns a [[Boxer (dog)|Boxer]] named Homer. Clubhouse nicknames include "Visine" and "Hollywood".<ref name="SIcover">{{cite web|url=http://premium.si.cnn.com/pr/subs2/siexclusive/2006/pr/subs/siexclusive/07/11/mets0717/|title=Joy Ride|accessdate=July 19, 2006|last=Verducci|first=Tom|date=July 11, 2006|publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]] (in print as well as online for subscribers only)}}</ref>

His brother Stephen was enrolled at [[Virginia Tech]] in 2007, and attended classes in Norris Hall, the scene of the majority of shootings in the [[Virginia Tech Massacre]]. David could not get a hold of Stephen that day and did not find out he was all right until his younger brother Matthew, a freshman at [[James Madison University]], called and informed him of Stephen's whereabouts.

In May 2007, [[Vitamin Water]] was sold to [[The Coca-Cola Company]] for $4.1 billion. As part of his endorsement deal, Wright was given 0.5% of the company, and thus netted approximately $20 million from the deal.<ref>Hale, Mark and Kouwe, Zachery. [http://www.nypost.com/seven/05262007/news/regionalnews/wow__water_play_regionalnews_zachery_kouwe_and_mark_hale.htm "Wow, water play. Drink deal has Mets Wright $ittin (sic) pretty."]. ''[[New York Post]],'' 2007-05-26. Retrieved on 2007-07-09.</ref>

Wright, who has been dating model [[Molly Beers]] for several years, announced in January 2013 that they got engaged during the holidays.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mets All-Star David Wright Engaged To Girlfriend|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/20/reports-mets-all-star-david-wright-engaged-to-girlfriend/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter|publisher=CBS News New York|accessdate=20 January 2013}}</ref>

===David Wright Foundation===
In 2005, Wright began his own charitable organization, the David Wright Foundation. Its mission is to increase awareness about [[multiple sclerosis]] and to raise money for multiple sclerosis organizations and projects. The Foundation hosted its first annual [[wikt:gala|gala]] at the [[New York Stock Exchange]] Members' Club on December 16, 2005, donating the proceeds to two multiple sclerosis centers.<ref name="DWFoundation">{{cite web|url=http://www.davidwrightfoundation.com |title=The David Wright Foundation |publisher=The David Wright Foundation |date=June 25, 2009 |accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

During the 2009 season, Wright and Yankees shortstop [[Derek Jeter]] represented their foundations in a competition sponsored by [[Delta Air Lines]]. Jeter had the higher [[batting average]] and received $100,000 for his foundation from Delta while Wright's foundation received $50,000.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/04/03/jeter.wright.ap/index.html Jeter and Wright Compete for Charity] SI.com, April 3, 2009</ref>

==Media appearances==
Delta Air Lines named an [[MD-88]] airplane after Wright.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.delta.com/photo_display.cfm?photo_id=158&view=low_res}}</ref> The plane's name, along with Wright's signature and jersey number (5), are next to the boarding door. The plane shuttles between New York, [[Boston]] and [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]].<ref name="bbn_mets_wright_flight_1">{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061003/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbn_mets_wright_flight_1|title=Delta names airplane for David Wright|accessdate=October 3, 2006|date=October 2, 2006|agency=Associated Press}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Wright is noted for his unaffected politeness and work ethic. He has been known to help participate with the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]]. He has developed a reputation for arriving very early to the park for games and being uncommonly accommodating with fans and reporters.<ref name="SIPrince">{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/preview/siexclusive/2006/pr/subs/siexclusive/05/22/wright0529/?url=http%253A%252F%252Fpremium.si.cnn.com%252Fpr%252Fsubs2%252Fsiexclusive%252F2006%252Fpr%252Fsubs%252Fsiexclusive%252F05%252F22%252Fwright0529%252F|title=Prince Of the City|accessdate=July 4, 2006|last=Lidz|first=Franz|date=May 29, 2006|publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref>

Wright was featured on the cover of ''[[MLB 07: The Show]]'', as well as a TV commercial advertisement for the game on the [[PlayStation 3]] game console. He has also appeared in a television commercial for [[Fathead (brand)|Fathead]], promoting the company's wall graphics.

In 2006, Wright appeared on [[MTV]]'s ''[[Total Request Live]]'' with then teammate [[Cliff Floyd]]. He also made an appearance on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' on July 12, 2006. That same day he appeared on the cover of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' along with Mets teammates Carlos Beltran, [[Paul Lo Duca]], Carlos Delgado, and José Reyes.

On January 3, 2008, Wright appeared on [[The Apprentice (U.S. season 7)|Celebrity Apprentice]] to purchase [[hot dogs]] for charity.<ref>[http://test.redlasso.com/service/svc/clip/playClip?fid=61451d79-8eef-48de-a3a5-ce49bd7563ef New York Met David Wright buys hot dogs on Celebrity Apprentice]</ref>

Wright is a celebrity spokesman for Ford in the New York/New Jersey market.

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
* [[30–30 club]]
* [[List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{commons|David Wright}}
{{Baseballstats |mlb=431151 |espn=6035 |br=w/wrighda03 |fangraphs=3787 |cube=David-Wright|brm=wright002dav}}
* [http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051215&content_id=1282583&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym David Wright chat transcript]
* [http://davidwright.mlblogs.com/ David Wright MLB Blog]
* [http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050901&content_id=1192685&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym Wright mailbag at "New York Mets"]
* [http://ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=0735 David Wright at the Ultimate Mets Database]
* [http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7382/ Yahoo MLB Profile]
* {{IMDb name|2272019|David Wright}}
* [http://www.davidwrightfoundation.com The David Wright Foundation]

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = [[Jason Bay]]<br>[[Troy Glaus]]|title = [[MLB Player of the Month|National League Player of the Month]]| years = June 2006<br>June 2010| after = [[Chase Utley]]<br>[[Buster Posey]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Ty Wigginton]]|title = [[New York Mets|New York Mets Starting Third Baseman]]| years = July 2004 – present | after = incumbent}}
{{succession box | before = [[Scott Rolen]]|title = [[List of NL Gold Glove winners at third base|NL Third Base Gold Glove Winner]]| years = 2007, 2008| after = [[Ryan Zimmerman]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Miguel Cabrera]]|title = [[List of NL Silver Slugger winners at third base|NL Third Base Silver Slugger Winner]]| years = 2007, 2008 | after =[[Ryan Zimmerman]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{2001 MLB Draft}}
{{New York Mets first-round draft picks}}
{{NL 3B Silver Slugger Award}}
{{NL 3B Gold Glove Award}}
{{United States 2009 World Baseball Classic roster}}
{{United States 2013 World Baseball Classic roster}}
{{!New York Mets captains}}
{{New York Mets roster navbox}}
{{New York Mets}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=90455889}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME=Wright, David
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
| SHORT DESCRIPTION= American baseball player
| DATE OF BIRTH=December 20, 1982
| PLACE OF BIRTH=Norfolk, Virginia
| DATE OF DEATH=
| PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, David}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New York Mets players]]
[[Category:2009 World Baseball Classic players]]
[[Category:All-Star Futures Game players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Virginia]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award winners]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball third basemen]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:People from Chesapeake, Virginia]]
[[Category:People from Norfolk, Virginia]]
[[Category:People from Manalapan Township, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Kingsport Mets players]]
[[Category:Capital City Bombers players]]
[[Category:St. Lucie Mets players]]
[[Category:Binghamton Mets players]]
[[Category:Norfolk Tides players]]
[[Category:Virginia Republicans]]
[[Category:2013 World Baseball Classic players]]

Revision as of 09:46, 24 April 2013

David Wright is a greenhill pupil.