David Wright pinch hits for Mets, making his first MLB appearance since 2016
New York Mets' David Wright walks back to the dugout from the on-deck circle during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins in an MLB baseball game at Citi Field on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
At 8:27 on Friday night, David Wright popped out of the dugout and into the on-deck circle to prepare for his first major league at-bat since May 27, 2016.
The crowd of 27,045 at Citi Field stood and cheered for the Mets’ captain.
The only problem was there were two outs in the fourth and Wright’s pinch hit at-bat for pitcher Corey Oswalt would come only if Kevin Plawecki extended the inning.
Plawecki grounded into a forceout for the third out.
The crowd booed.
Wright went back into the dugout to wait for the fifth inning. He had waited two-plus seasons to make his return. What were another few minutes?
At 8:44, after the Marlins scored two runs in the top of the fifth, Wright came out of the dugout again. The crowd stood and cheered again. At 8:45, Wright walked to the plate as he was introduced by the public address announcer.
Wright took a practice swing, dug into the righthanded batter’s box and grounded a first-pitch fastball from righthander Jose Urena to third baseman Brian Anderson, who fielded a short hop and threw out Wright at first.
One pitch. One swing. One out. David Wright was a big-league player again.
It was a brief hello. On Saturday night, Wright will start at third base in his final game and say a longer goodbye.
“It was amazing,” Wright said. “It really was amazing. In a way — and I told Plaw this afterward — I think I needed another inning, so I was like, ‘I’m kind of glad you got out.’ I hate to be a bad teammate right there, but that first time on deck was something special. I really felt butterflies that I had never felt before. I think I was pretty close to throwing up on deck. I know I dropped my bat and I never would have just let the bat fly. I had to walk a couple steps and pick it back up. The fan support — it really was overwhelming.”
Wright has been active since Tuesday, but the Mets did not use him in three games against the Braves because Atlanta was playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs. The games against Miami are meaningless in the standings, but obviously very meaningful to Wright.
“Everything felt just new,” Wright said. “I’ve played in a lot of opening days and I’ve played in some playoff games and some World Series games and I had never felt the type of nervousness that I felt tonight.”
Manager Mickey Callaway announced the decision to have Wright pinch hit on Friday before the game, which the Mets lost, 8-1. Knowing he was going to be the first pinch hitter used gave Wright time to get ready, which he needs because of the back, neck and shoulder issues that will end his career after this weekend. “I wish I could have gotten a hit,” Wright said. “But putting 96 in play isn’t so bad either . . . Might be two pitches tomorrow, too. I’m just trying to get up there and whack at it.”
On Saturday, Wright will start at third base and in his familiar third spot in the order. After his second plate appearance, Wright will take the field and then will be taken out so the sellout crowd can give him an ovation. After he leaves the game, Wright is expected to appear for a half-inning on the TV broadcast (the game will be shown on SNY and Ch. 11) and a half-inning in the WOR-710 radio booth.
Wright’s 2-year-old daughter, Olivia Shea, will throw out the first pitch to Wright’s dad, Rhon.
The Mets also are expected to hold a postgame ceremony honoring Wright, after which he will address the crowd. That will be it. Wright will not play in Sunday’s season finale.
Said Wright: “It’s going to be a sleepless night, I know that.”
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
