David Wright is starting his sixth year as a Met this week and has made it known that he would prefer to stay with the Mets for the rest of his career.
In this day and age of players only wanting to go where the money is and putting in no trade clauses in their contract, Wright is choosing loyalty to the team that he grew up loving and works hard for them 24/7/365. The Mets have Wright under contract through 2012 and he has an option for the 2013 season.
A contract extension that would enable Wright to play the remainder of his career as a Met would mean more to him than any amount of "Captain" or "Face of Franchise" titles.
Leading the Mets to a World Series is his ultimate goal, he is determined to finish what he started when he was first given the chance to thrive in New York in July of 2004.
The last two years have ended in bitter disappointment and Wright knows full well that he is as equally if not more responsible for the endings as his teammates.
Wright is a fan and media favorite because of his respect for the game and that the fans are the ultimate boss to him and his teammates, and the media is there for their story and they will get it with or without his input.
He has a very polite and forthcoming nature that draws both fans and media personalities to him because he is approachable.
After each tough loss, Wright is in front of the microphone with cameras showing that he is close to tears with disappointment and frustration, but he does it for the sake of being accountable, not for attention or pity.
Even though he ended September 2007 with broken bones in his foot and ended September 2008 with walking pneumonia, he battled every day and did not want his teammates to worry or give up, much to his credit as a leader.
He understands that they are a team first and foremost and that individual accomplishments and recognition are nice but if the team does not achieve the postseason its disappointing to everyone, especially the fans.
Being elected to his fourth All-Star Game was extremely important to him, but in all honesty, he has had a hard time enjoying it and relaxing because it seems that mid season is when things appear the worst for the Mets.
This year in particular has been very difficult for him due to injuries to so many of the other key players.
Wright has played in 87 of the team's 88 games, not exactly feeling anywhere near 100 percent for several of them but would not complain or even acknowledge that a day's rest is in order.
Having his three brothers as a support system is what keeps him going, he said that they push him to do his best because they have made being with him for the All-Star Game a family tradition.
Last night's All Star Game saw David Wright start a two out, three run rally in the second inning. Even though he struck out looking in the fourth for his second and final at bat, he did make his presence known by scoring the first run for the National League.
Here's to David Wright as a lifetime Met!
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