David Wright looks as though he’ll receive enough votes to remain on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for another year, allowing voters another year to examine his candidacy. The former Mets third baseman has received more votes in each of the last three years, but he’s still nowhere near the 75% threshold needed to be inducted.
With another year on the ballot, his case could strengthen, but the problem with lookin at Wright’s HOF credentials is that his career was cut short in its prime by injuries related to spinal stenosis.
He had shoulder surgery after the 2017 season, one that was wiped out completely by injuries. He left the game after the 2018 season, unable to even throw a baseball with any sort of regularity the way he used to. “What if?” became the theme of his legacy.
Whether he makes it to Cooperstown or not, Wright is already a Hall-of-Famer as far as the Mets are concerned. The captain was inducted into the team Hall of Fame last season in a ceremony that also served to retire No. 5, the number worn on his jersey throughout his Mets career. It was fitting for a franchise hero, but is he deserving of more?
It depends on how you look at it.
A first-round pick out of high school, the Virginia native instantly became the face of the franchise for the Mets, and one of the most prolific hitters the team has ever developed. Wright, who retired at 35, still leads the club in position player WAR (49.1), offensive WAR (51.9), at-bats, plate appearances, runs scored, hits, total bases, singles doubles, RBI, walks and runs created. A seven-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, Wright was more than just a force on the field; he was a pillar for the Mets during some of the franchise’s most turbulent times.
It’s the Mets, so turbulence can always be expected, but his leadership extended well past Flushing. Given the moniker “Captain America” as the captain of Team USA during the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Wright was an exemplary player in every way, authoritative when needed, accountable always, kind and courteous to fans, and ready to give more than 100% every night his name was written onto the lineup card. His discipline came from his father, Rhon, a former police officer who introduced him to the Mets when the club had a minor league team near his Norfolk, Virginia home. His compassion came from his mother, Elissa, and his competitiveness from having three older brothers.
The character clause that BBWAA voters are instructed to consider isn’t something that even needs to be considered. Wright’s character is so high that it’s tough for other players to even measure up.
But so often, Hall of Fame voting is by the numbers. The average WAR for third basemen is around 80.5. Wright couldn’t get there in parts of 14 seasons, mostly because of the injuries. He’s short of the JAWS standard at the position. He never won an MVP Award, though he did finish in the top-5 once and in the top-10 four times.
However, his WAR per 162 games is 5.0, which is higher than two Hall of Fame third basemen, Paul Molitor (4.6) and Brooks Robinson (4.4), the latter being the namesake of his son Brooks. When he was at his best, Wright was one of the best in baseball.
Does that make him a Hall of Famer? Maybe. It’s not a strong case, but there is a case to be made, nonetheless. It’s subjective. As time passes, some voters could decide to place a higher value on what he was when he was able to play, and not what could have been when he wasn’t able to.
