A case for the third baseman’s Cooperstown chances
By Mike Corasaniti
Maybe it’s a good time to debate the legacy of David Wright as the New York Mets third baseman rests up on the 15-day disabled list.
Wright solidified another spot in Mets history shortly before his injury last week. He tied Mike Piazza for second most home runs as a Met with No. 220; just another accomplishment though for a man who’s legacy has been a hot topic this year.
Wright’s spotlight has shone brighter this summer with the All-Star Game coming to Citi Field. And his captaincy for the NL in the Home Run Derby only brought him more attention.
And so it has all recently begged an interesting question: Is David Wright worthy of the Hall of Fame?
The 30-year-old is now in his tenth season with the Mets. In his tenure, he has batted a consistent .300 (.301 at the time of his current injury), been named just the fourth captain of the Mets, and helped lead a run to the NLCS.
It is difficult at this point to imagine the Mets making it to a World Series within the next few years, let alone actually winning one. And it is sad to think that such a talent might be wasted on a team that does not seem to be returning to legitimacy quickly.
Many players have obviously made it to Cooperstown without ever winning a title. But could a player with only ten career postseason appearances qualify for the Hall of Fame?
Wright’s postseason numbers are not even impressive. He batted only .216 over 37 at bats through the 2007 NLDS and NLCS despite driving in New York’s lone run in the NLCS’s Game 7.
So the conversation then changes to if the Mets return to the playoffs.
Say in a few years that Matt Harvey leads a strong rotation and the general manager adds a few more offensive powers in the lineup to protect Wright. It would not be too outrageous (but maybe a little outrageous) to say that the Mets only need a few pieces like that to return to the playoffs and maybe even make a legitimate run.
That would make Wright the leader of a World Series champion team to accentuate his excellent player.
But then you have the discussion of individual awards.
Wright’s honors include 2 Gold Gloves, 2 Silver Sluggers, and seven All-Star Game appearances since 2006 (he missed out in 2011 due to injury). That alone would not be enough for serious Hall consideration.
It would indeed be a sad sight for Wright and Mets fans alike if the team could not bring itself together in the coming years to make a a solid playoff run. Wright have easily courted countless other teams years ago instead of signing long-term with New York. He stayed in Queens instead of chasing better chances at winning easily elsewhere.
To say that his years spent with the Mets without postseason success were a waste would be overdramatic. For a decade now, Wright has provided Mets fans quality baseball, good character, and a sense of stability throughout his already excellent career,
What would be a waste is to vote against a player like Wright, who has played like a Hall of Famer for his entire Met career, regardless of the success or failures of the Mets themselves.
By Mike Corasaniti
Maybe it’s a good time to debate the legacy of David Wright as the New York Mets third baseman rests up on the 15-day disabled list.
Wright solidified another spot in Mets history shortly before his injury last week. He tied Mike Piazza for second most home runs as a Met with No. 220; just another accomplishment though for a man who’s legacy has been a hot topic this year.
Wright’s spotlight has shone brighter this summer with the All-Star Game coming to Citi Field. And his captaincy for the NL in the Home Run Derby only brought him more attention.
And so it has all recently begged an interesting question: Is David Wright worthy of the Hall of Fame?
The 30-year-old is now in his tenth season with the Mets. In his tenure, he has batted a consistent .300 (.301 at the time of his current injury), been named just the fourth captain of the Mets, and helped lead a run to the NLCS.
It is difficult at this point to imagine the Mets making it to a World Series within the next few years, let alone actually winning one. And it is sad to think that such a talent might be wasted on a team that does not seem to be returning to legitimacy quickly.
Many players have obviously made it to Cooperstown without ever winning a title. But could a player with only ten career postseason appearances qualify for the Hall of Fame?
Wright’s postseason numbers are not even impressive. He batted only .216 over 37 at bats through the 2007 NLDS and NLCS despite driving in New York’s lone run in the NLCS’s Game 7.
So the conversation then changes to if the Mets return to the playoffs.
Say in a few years that Matt Harvey leads a strong rotation and the general manager adds a few more offensive powers in the lineup to protect Wright. It would not be too outrageous (but maybe a little outrageous) to say that the Mets only need a few pieces like that to return to the playoffs and maybe even make a legitimate run.
That would make Wright the leader of a World Series champion team to accentuate his excellent player.
But then you have the discussion of individual awards.
Wright’s honors include 2 Gold Gloves, 2 Silver Sluggers, and seven All-Star Game appearances since 2006 (he missed out in 2011 due to injury). That alone would not be enough for serious Hall consideration.
It would indeed be a sad sight for Wright and Mets fans alike if the team could not bring itself together in the coming years to make a a solid playoff run. Wright have easily courted countless other teams years ago instead of signing long-term with New York. He stayed in Queens instead of chasing better chances at winning easily elsewhere.
To say that his years spent with the Mets without postseason success were a waste would be overdramatic. For a decade now, Wright has provided Mets fans quality baseball, good character, and a sense of stability throughout his already excellent career,
What would be a waste is to vote against a player like Wright, who has played like a Hall of Famer for his entire Met career, regardless of the success or failures of the Mets themselves.