The LTJ Editorial: “Do the Wright thing, don't come back for nothing”

“The LTJ Editorial”
Author: Luis Tirado Jr.
Date: 8-22-13
Twitter: @LTJ81
Website: http://www.TheNYExpress.com

“Do the Wright thing, don't come back for nothing”

It's safe to say 3B David Wright has had one of the best seasons so far in his career with the NY Mets. Before getting dealt with a hamstring injury during the second half of the MLB season, he has been very productive this year. Being the host and face of the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, being named Captain of the team in the offseason, signing a new eight year contract extension with the team, and of course, his play on the field. So far this season, he is batting .309, 16 HR's, 54 RBI's, and an OBP of .391. What else can Captain America do? He needs to stay off the field and come back to the team in a mentor role. Let me explain why.

The 2013 MLB season is dwindling down to the final stretch. If you look at it now, there are just about 6 weeks of regular season baseball left. Come Sunday, September 1^st 2013, expanded rosters come to every team where lots of AAA minor league talent will hit the majors. The Mets will have a chance to give some valuable experience to young talent to prepare for what should be a breakout year in 2014. As of right now, 3B Wilmer Flores is doing pretty good in his debut in the majors and he could use as much time as possible to keep at it. Bringing Wright back in September would be silly to do since there is nothing worth playing for. I highly doubt the Mets are making it to the MLB Playoffs anyway so to have Wright come back to start could risk further injury. As of now there is no timetable for Wright's return but he has made it known there is no doubt that he wants to come back to play.

In my opinion, I'd love to have Wright back in the dugout every game but not on the field. I'd like to see him in a role to mentor those around him as they play. Specifically, all those young guys coming up from the majors who could use advice from one of the best players in the game. That way, his presence is there, he's back with the team, and helping as many guys around him learn. The risk of him re-injuring his hamstring is too great and one not worth taking. If he gets hurt again but it turns out to be more severe, not only could that sideline him for next year, but it may have a negative impact on the rest of his career. Manager Terry Collins trusted Wright when he said he was fine to play a few weeks ago but should have went with his gut instinct. If your star third baseman is in pain when he's running and is playing off passion while not thinking straight, you have to do the right thing for him and the team and pull him out. He should have made Wright sit and rest and not go out to play since look at what happened as he really did get sidelined by injury. You can't tell me your jaw didn't drop when you saw Wright run to first base in pain grabbing his hamstring in that game against the Kansas City Royals. You know you were worried like there was no tomorrow.

You can't really say Wright is stubborn or ignorant since he really isn't. He just wants to play so the team can win some ballgames and keep at it. I respect that but at the same token, you have to listen to reason. If the Mets aren't making any run for the MLB Playoffs, it's nice to be out there but not in this condition coming off a hamstring injury. It's not worth risking further injury or worst case, something that is going to plague the rest of your career. Either way, there are just about six weeks left in yet another losing season. It looks like once again, we will end under .500 in the National League East. There is no point in having Wright back in the starting lineup since there is nothing to play for.

Don't get me wrong, I love Wright, he's one of my all-time favorite players on this team. I will be one of the first to say he should just heal up, rehab when he's medically cleared to resume baseball activities, and just take it easy. Let Flores continue to keep playing and learning in the majors. Plus, I think it would be really cool to see Flores come off the field after an at-bat or when the inning is over and go sit next to Wright to evaluate. I enjoy every time I see that happen when SP Zach Wheeler heads to the dugout and the first person you see him talking to is SP Matt Harvey. It's like the whole big brother/little brother situation. You learn from one another and fundamentally grow. That is one of the areas that would help the Mets much more to end this season rather than risking Wright coming back for nothing. After this season is said and done we need to start preparing for 2014 and beyond. I want to have a healthy Wright come back rather than a hamstring-injured Wright coming off a surgery because he wanted to play for a handful of games in September.