The LTJ Editorial: “David Is Always Doing The Wright Thing”

Make sure to take vitamins too, David!

The LTJ Editorial: “David is always doing the Wright thing”
Author: Luis Tirado Jr.
Twitter: @LTJ81
Website: http://www.TheNYExpress.com

As a New York Mets fan, who doesn't love the impact Third Baseman David Wright has had on the team this past decade or so? Not only our team captain, Wright continues to be the face of the franchise being one of the bright spots on the team. He contributes as much on the field as he does off the field, always making sure to be another role model in the big apple everyone can look up to. However, one thing we all learn in life, especially in the sports world, is you can't control time. Eventually, you start to decline in skill, injuries start becoming more frequent, and next thing you know is you are fighting for longevity. Over the course of time, you need to start playing smarter, not harder. Entering his eleventh season, Wright has already had a few significant injuries that not only cost him playing time, but also put more wear on his body. The severe hamstring injury sticks out the most since it was a scary moment for all of us and definitely for him too. It was at that moment he probably realized, it's about time to work on something different for the future to prevent these injuries from creeping up on him again.

So far this offseason, Wright has decided to change his regimen when it comes to preparation for this upcoming MLB season. His main goal is to stay healthy and have a complete season without missing so much as a single game. Besides his usual diet and exercise, Wright is working on flexibility while focusing on durability with the usual wear and tear that comes with holding down third base. Being 31 years old does make you wonder just how fast time goes by. In a blink of an eye you turned from rookie to veteran and unfortunately, in Wright's case, he doesn't have much to show for it with the Mets. With only one playoff run in his career, it's easy to understand his frustration with how the team has done so far with him in the lineup. Bad organizational decisions really, but in the end, it starts from the top down. No, not just the Wilpons, it's about the people who make the personnel acquisitions for the team. You know, the main person responsible for upgrading, cultivating, and signing talent. I'm talking about General Manager Sandy Alderson.

If you think about it, Alderson has done a good job these past four years he has spent rebuilding the Mets. After the entire Omar Minaya debacle, he came in and went right to work on building a future winner from within. Yeah, it hasn't come to fruition yet, but the foundation is set and almost ready for takeoff. Currently, the Mets have the sixth best farm system in all of professional baseball, have gotten much more respect across the league, and have spent serious money in an offseason for once! That's right, the tight wallets of the Wilpons have been opened to reveal a golden aura. This light, brighter than a thousand suns, was the guiding force to bring in some fantastic upgrades to build around Wright. It's about time since well, Captain America can't do it all! Now with some pretty solid upgrades to our outfield, starting rotation, and top prospects waiting for the big call to the majors, the Mets are in a good position going into this season. Sounds like a broken record every year, however, the Mets should be competitive this season and hopefully be able to play some baseball in October.

Someone with the caliber of Wright should be enjoying postseason baseball to bring a championship to his team and city. With a better supporting cast this season, his longevity will be one of the big keys to success for the Mets this year. This new offseason regimen will benefit him for the long-term since Wright will most likely see his career begin with the Mets and end with them. Let's have #5 be in that starting lineup until 2020. The Mets will need him healthy more than anything for any hopes of making the postseason again since most of us want to forget about 2006 and actually remember another year instead.

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.