David Wright facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Wright
Wright with the New York Mets in 2016
Third baseman
Born: (1982-12-20) December 20, 1982 (age 42) Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
July 21, 2004, for the New York Mets
Last appearance
September 29, 2018, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Batting average	.296
Home runs	242
Runs batted in	970
Teams
New York Mets (2004–2016, 2018)
Career highlights and awards
7× All-Star (2006–2010, 2012, 2013) 2× Gold Glove Award (2007, 2008) 2× Silver Slugger Award (2007, 2008)

David Allen Wright (born December 20, 1982) is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played his whole 14-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the New York Mets. The Mets picked him in the 2001 MLB draft. He first played in the MLB on July 21, 2004. Fans called Wright "Captain America" after he played great in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He led that tournament with 10 RBIs and a .438 batting average.

Wright was chosen for the All-Star team seven times. He also won two Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards. He is also a member of the 30–30 club. David Wright is one of the most loved players in Mets history. He holds many team records for players. In 2013, he became the Mets' fourth team captain. He is only the third player to play at least 10 MLB seasons and stay with the Mets his whole career.

Later in his career, Wright had many injuries. The most serious was spinal stenosis, a problem with his spine. He also had neck and shoulder issues. Because of these injuries, he missed a lot of games from 2015 to 2018. Doctors told him his spine problem would not get better. So, Wright announced that 2018 would be his last season. He ended his career with a .296 batting average, 242 home runs, and 970 runs batted in. After he stopped playing, Wright became a special advisor for the Mets.

Growing Up and Early Baseball

Wright (right) and Michael Cuddyer played baseball together as children in Virginia before playing together on the Mets in 2015.

David Wright was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He was the oldest of four sons. His dad, Rhon, was a police officer. David grew up a Mets fan because the minor league team, the Norfolk Tides, played nearby. He took hitting lessons with future MLB player Michael Cuddyer. He also played with other future pros like Ryan Zimmerman in high school. Wright played baseball at Hickory High School. He was a very good hitter, with a .538 batting average in his senior year.

Playing Professional Baseball

Starting in the Minor Leagues

The New York Mets picked David Wright in the 2001 MLB draft. He moved up quickly through the minor leagues. In 2003, he was named the best player on the Class A St. Lucie Mets. By 2004, he went from Double-A to Triple-A and then to the major leagues.

Joining the New York Mets

First Years: 2004-2006

On July 21, 2004, Wright played his first MLB game. He was the third baseman for the Mets. The next day, he got his first hit, a double. On July 26, he hit his first home run. He finished his first season with a .293 batting average and 14 home runs. He was named the Rookie of the Year.

In 2005, Wright played in 160 games. He hit .306 with 27 home runs and 102 RBIs. He made an amazing barehanded catch during a game. This play was voted the "This Year in Baseball Play of the Year."

David Wright warming up in 2006

In 2006, Wright was named National League Co-Player of the Week. He also hit many game-winning hits. He was voted to his first MLB All-Star Game. He also took part in the Home Run Derby. He hit 22 home runs, finishing second. The next night, he hit a home run in his first All-Star Game at-bat. Wright signed a 6-year, $55 million contract extension with the Mets. He also promised to donate $1.5 million to the Mets Foundation. The Mets won their division in 2006 and made the playoffs. Wright finished the season batting .311 with 26 home runs and 116 RBIs.

Becoming an All-Star: 2007-2010

In 2007, Wright had a 26-game hitting streak. This broke a Mets record. On September 16, 2007, he joined the 30–30 club. This means he had 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in one season. He was only the third Met to do this. Wright won the Gold Glove Award and the Silver Slugger Award in 2007.

David Wright in mid-swing

In 2008, Wright hit his 100th career home run. He also hit his first walk-off home run, winning a game for the Mets. He won his second Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. Wright played for Team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

In 2009, Wright hit the first Mets home run at Citi Field. Later that year, he got a concussion after being hit by a pitch. He missed some games but came back to play.

Wright with the Mets in 2011

In 2010, Wright started strong with a two-run home run on Opening Day. He got his 1,000th career hit on April 27. He was named a starter for the 2010 MLB All-Star Game. This was his fifth All-Star appearance in a row. He was also named National League Player of the Month for June. He finished the 2010 season with 29 home runs and 103 RBIs.

Injuries and Leadership: 2011-2014

In 2011, Wright got a stress fracture in his lower back. This kept him out for over two months. He came back in July and played well. He even played shortstop for the first time due to other injuries on the team.

Wright at Citi Field in 2012

In 2012, Wright broke his right pinkie finger. But he only missed three games. He broke two Mets franchise records: most career RBIs and most career runs scored. He was named to his sixth All-Star team. He also hit his 200th career home run. On September 26, Wright became the Mets' all-time hit leader.

In late 2012, Wright signed a big 7-year contract extension with the Mets. This showed how important he was to the team. In 2013, the Mets named Wright their fourth team captain. He got his 1,500th career hit. He was also the captain for the National League's Home Run Derby team in the 2013 MLB All-Star Game. He played in his seventh All-Star Game. He had a hamstring injury later in the season.

Wright batting for the Mets in 2014

In 2014, Wright was chosen as the "Face of MLB" in an online contest. His performance dropped a bit this year. He had a shoulder injury that affected his hitting and defense.

Battling Injuries and Retirement: 2015-2018

In 2015, Wright suffered a hamstring injury. Then he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a problem with his spine. This injury kept him out for most of the season. When he returned in August, he hit a home run in his first at-bat. He helped the Mets reach the 2015 World Series. In Game 3 of the World Series, he hit a home run and had 4 RBIs.

In 2016, Wright had to do a long workout routine before each game because of his spinal stenosis. He then had a herniated disc in his neck and needed surgery. He missed the rest of the 2016 season.

In 2017, Wright had a shoulder injury. He needed rotator cuff surgery and missed the entire season.

Wright acknowledging the crowd during his final professional game on September 29, 2018

In 2018, Wright continued to have problems with his back and shoulder. He tried to come back and played some minor league games. On September 13, the Mets announced that Wright would play in their last home games of the season before retiring. He played his final MLB game on September 29, 2018. He received a long cheer from fans and players. After the game, he thanked the crowd for their support.

Career Stats and Honors

David Wright played 1585 games in 14 seasons. He had a .296 batting average, 242 home runs, and 970 RBIs. He also stole 196 bases. The Mets will retire his number 5 jersey on July 19, 2025. He will also be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.

World Baseball Classic Hero

Wright batting for the U.S. national team

Wright played for the United States in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In a key game against Puerto Rico, he hit a walk-off hit in the 9th inning to win the game.

He played again in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He hit a grand slam against Italy. He also had 5 RBIs in a game against Puerto Rico. Wright ended the tournament with the most RBIs of any player. This is how he got the nickname "Captain America". He was chosen as the third baseman for the All-WBC team.

Mets Team Records

David Wright holds many New York Mets team records, including:

• Most career At-Bats (5,998)
• Most career Walks (762)
• Most career Doubles (390)
• Most career Extra Base Hits (658)
• Most career Hits (1,777)
• Most career Plate Appearances (6,872)
• Most career Runs Batted In (970)
• Most career Runs Scored (949)
• Most career Sacrifice Flies (65)
• Most career Strikeouts (1,292)
• Most career Total Bases (2,945)

Awards and Special Recognitions

The Mets will retire Wright's number 5 on July 19, 2025.

David Wright's Life Off the Field

Wright has homes in Manhattan, Manhattan Beach, California, and Chesapeake, Virginia. He owns a boxer dog named Homer. His teammates sometimes called him "Visine" or "Hollywood."

In 2007, a company called Vitamin Water was sold for a lot of money. Because of an endorsement deal, Wright received about $20 million from the sale.

David Wright married model Molly Beers on December 26, 2013. They have two daughters and a son.

In 2020, Wright released his book called The Captain. It tells his story and was written with Anthony DiComo, a Mets writer.

Helping Others: Charity Work

David Wright Foundation

In 2005, Wright started his own charity, the David Wright Foundation. It works to raise awareness and money for multiple sclerosis organizations. The foundation held its first big event in 2005.

Wright also took part in a competition with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. They raised money for their foundations.

Big League Impact

Wright helps lead Big League Impact in New York City. This is a charity network started by baseball player Adam Wainwright. In 2015, the group raised over $1 million for different charities.

Media and Appearances

Delta Air Lines named an airplane The Wright Flight after David Wright. The plane has his signature and jersey number. Wright is known for being polite and working hard. He often helps with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He also arrives very early for games and is friendly with fans and reporters.

Wright was on the cover of the video game MLB 07: The Show. He also appeared in TV commercials for Fathead wall graphics.

In 2006, Wright was on MTV's Total Request Live and the Late Show with David Letterman. He was also on the cover of Sports Illustrated with some of his Mets teammates.

In 2008, Wright appeared on Celebrity Apprentice to help buy hot dogs for charity.

Wright is also a spokesperson for Ford cars in the New York area.

See also

• 30–30 club
• List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
• List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise