Never Forget '69

The New “Franchise”

Last night, David Wright hit his 192nd homer of his career. It tied him with Howard Johnson for third on the all time list. Wright is 61 home runs behind the Mets all time leader Darryl Strawberry and 28 behind Mike Piazza. Not bad company. Not bad at all.

There is no question that Wright will one day become the all time Mets home run leader if a) he stays healthy, and b) he gets a new contract and stays with the team. Memo to Sandy Alderson… Make this happen. You cannot let this player who came up through the system, has been a tremendous player and leader, get away. Please no. Not another Tom Seaver fiasco.

Here are some of Wright’s statistics…

Games: 1159 – 5th
At Bats: 4427 – 3rd – will pass Jose Reyes this season
Runs: 749 – 1st - recently passed Reyes
Hits: 1344 – 2nd  – will likely pass Ed Kranepool next season
Singles: 826 – 5th
Doubles: 307 1st
Triples: 19 14th
Home Runs: 192 – tied for third with Howard Johnson
Runs Batted In: 774 – 1st
Stolen Bases: 159 – 5th
Walks: 581 – 1st – just surpassed Strawberry with 580
Total Bases: 2265 – 1st
Sac Flies: 56  – 2nd
Average: .304 – 8th
Slugging: .512 – 4th
On Base Percentage: .384 – 7th

Is there any question of Wright’s place in this franchise’s history? He was voted the all time Mets third baseman for the 50th Anniversary All Time Team just a couple of weeks ago.

There have been many shortcomings of the Mets since Wright came up mid-2004. However, he has not been one of them. He has been a part of one Mets post season run, some teams with winning records with disappointing endings, and some dreadful clubs too. Alderson needs to extend Wright’s contract. If the Mets were to lose Wright then they lose their identity and I don’t care how many prospects the Mets could bring back. Wright is a generational player, he is the offensive “Franchise”. He is our Derek Jeter. Wright simply must stay and retire a Met. I don’t see any other scenario.