David Wright Is Grinding It Out For The Love Of The Game

by Tim Reilly June 01, 2018

David Wright played catch on Thursday. That’s right, we’ve gotten to the point where we get excited about our beloved captain tossing the ball around.

Here’s what Wright had to say following his first day of returning to light baseball activities, which we now know means putting a jersey on and having a catch.

#DavidWright says it felt good to put on his jersey and throw on the field today. #Mets pic.twitter.com/TbfxCwmPPu
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 31, 2018

On a follow-up question, Wright was asked what he was hoping would come from this.

"I wouldn't be wasting my time going out there and playing a meaningless game of catch if I wasn't hoping that I could give it another go," Wright said. "It's way too early to start circling days. A small step, but I guess a step in the right direction."

I love David Wright. He will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the fanbase. It’s an absolute travesty that the second half of his prime years were taken away due to injury. Wright was on a trajectory that could very well have put him in the Hall of Fame discussion. Now, at 35, Wright’s simply hoping to make it back to the active roster, and I respect the hell out of him for that.

His contract (which runs through 2020) is completely guaranteed. Wright doesn’t have to do anything at this point to earn another penny from a deal that has him set for life. Rather than doing literally anything he wants, a luxury that comes along with signing a $138M contract, he has chosen to grind out a rehab process.

That right there is the epitome of “for love of the game.”

I don’t foresee Wright ever being able to return in a meaningful way. It is what it is, I guess. My hope is that Wright is able to get cleared for one last day in the sun at Citi Field. He deserves to end his career after playing in a final game. I don’t care if that day comes this year, next year or in 2020 – I’ll be eagerly awaiting it. From the sound of it, David Wright won’t stop working until that happens.

Keep at it, Captain.

Photo: @olisketchestoo