Best Moments and Twitter Tributes From David Wright’s Farewell

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After 1,585 career games, New York Mets legend David Wright hung up his cleats on Friday night, Here are the best moments and tributes from a memorable night in Queens.

There hasn’t been much to celebrate in Queens this year, but Friday night made the entire New York Mets season worth it. David Wright, the captain and face of the team, rode off into the sunset after playing four innings in New York’s penultimate game. Prior to the game, Wright hadn’t made a start since the 2016 season.

Starting at third and hitting third, Wright brought a packed house to Citi Field for a game against the last-place Miami Marlins. And just like it was years ago, Jose Reyes was alongside Wright at shortstop and in the team’s leadoff spot. For longtime fans, it was a true blast from the past that brought back memories of better, simpler times.

It should be noted that Reyes, while not as appreciated as Wright, was probably making his last start in New York as well. Reyes, who will finish the season with his worst single-season batting average, wants to continue playing but it remains to be seen if that’s an option. I imagine someone will give him an invite to spring training, though.

With that said, here are the best moments and tributes from the Wright-Reyes reunion/farewell.

Wright and Reyes Combined For All Three Defensive Outs in the Second Inning

Wright, playing in his 1,585th game, had one chance in the field and it was smooth. With two outs in the top of the second, Wright fielded a chopper and made the throw to complete a 1-2-3 inning, Fittingly, it came after Reyes recorded the first two put-outs of the inning.

For a Moment, They Were Just Two Ballplayers

One inning earlier, Reyes went deep in the hole to rob a hit from Starlin Castro, eventually throwing to second base to snag the lead runner. Like he had done so many times before, Wright congratulated Reyes after the play with a glove tap. It was normal and genuine, making it one of my favorite moments of the night. The night was a spectacle overall, yet at that moment, the two guys were just ballplayers doing what ballplayers do.

Both Reached Base in the Same Inning

In their first time at the plate, Jose Reyes led off with a textbook double down the line. It was the most fired up I got during the game, like in a regular sports way, because you could feel through the screen how pumped Reyes was to perform on such a special night. Two batters later, David Wright got behind early but battled back to a full count before walking for the 762nd time in his career.

Shocker…Wright Got An Epic Standing Ovation When He Came Out

Prior to the top of the fifth, after Wright flew out in his second at-bat, manager Mickey Callaway took No. 5 out for his ceremonial send-off, curtain call, and of course, tears.

The Mets Official Twitter Account Dedicated Their Entire Page to #OurCaptain

In all seriousness, you need to just go there to see what I’m talking about but here’s a taste.

David Wright on the Mic…Numerous Times

Not only did David Wright address the fans but he sat in the booth with Keith Hernandez and Gary Cohen. During this appearance, which I saw on MLB.tv and don’t have footage of, Wright revealed that Hernandez once told him he could have played for the 1986 team. To Wright, that meant the world. Below, you’ll see him addressing the fans at Citi Field.

Former Met and Childhood Friend Michael Cuddyer Made His Way to Citi Field

A lot of people give him crap for his performance in the 2015 playoffs, but Michael Cuddyer had some big hits during New York’s late-season push towards an NL East crown. He was as big a part of that squad as any and on Friday, he returned to Queens to celebrate a huge night in Mets history. Cuddyer, besides being Wright’s teammate in 2015, was also a childhood friend (and current BFF) of David.

Wright’s Daughter (with Family) Throwing Out First Pitch to David

Oh Yeah, The Mets Won on a Walk-Off in Extra Innings

David Wright Twitter Tributes

During his appearance in the booth, Wright mentioned that Joe McEwing and Cliff Floyd were among the people that reached out to him before the game. A few days prior, the New York Yankees honored Wright in the New York Post (like the Mets did for Derek Jeter) with a full-page ad.

Jose Reyes, in a New York Post guest column, also paid tribute to Wright, calling them “brothers forever.”

Friday on Twitter, a whole boatload of players, people, and brands chimed in to pay tribute to the captain. Here are a few but there are literally thousands more out there.

Former teammate Curtis Granderson:

Former teammate (kind of) and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow:

Former teammate Johan Santana:

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio:

Budweiser:

MLB veteran and former teammate Melvin Upton Jr.:

The rival Atlanta Braves:

Cespedes Family BBQ (who said it best):

Sports Illustrated:

Former teammate Paul Lo Duca:

https://twitter.com/paulloduca16/status/1046064173447356417

And after the game, teammate and friend Jose Reyes:

Last But Not Least, They Put Reyes and Wright on Kiss Cam

It was an awesome night, one that I’ll definitely re-visit down the road. In my mind, No. 5 was the best to ever do it for the Mets. More importantly, he enjoyed doing it, never took things for granted, and inspired a lot of people. Every time I buy a Power-C Vitamin Water, I’m doing it because of David Wright.