See Also serby's qa David Wright will be honored Saturday at Citi Field by having . But twice Friday, people who knew Wright well said if things had worked out just a bit differently, it wouldnt be just the Mets celebrating Wright. David is one of the greatest players, Billy Wagner said during a Zoom call in advance of his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame next weekend. If hes not hurt, hes probably gonna have a chance to be in the Hall of Fame, said the former Mets closer, who spent parts of four seasons in Queens with Wright. A great leader, , a great teammate. Im so excited because he deserves this. I think he is the face and captain of the Mets. Weve had a lot of people go through the Mets like [Tom] Seaver [and others] Jose Soriano Jersey , and hes just right there with the greats. David Wright will have his No. 5 retired on Saturday. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post A few hours later, one of Wrights old managers, Terry Collins, shared a similar sentiment while praising the third baseman. Explore More He meant a lot to the organization, Collins said prior to the Mets facing the Reds at Citi Field, where Collins and plenty of others will be on hand to cheer Wright. Hes absolutely humbled by whats gonna happen [Saturday], the manager said. And I talked to him and told him, If you dont get hurt, were gonna be talking about whats gonna happen [later] in July [at the Hall of Fame]. But he was just happy to do what he could do as long as he could do it. For Wright, that meant playing 14 years for the Mets before the back and neck woes that plagued the latter part of his career eventually led to his retirement in 2018. Billy Wagner and David Wright before the 2008 Home Run Derby. Causi/The New York Post The early back page for July 19, 2025. His impact began when Wright was drafted by the Mets with their first pick in 2001, continued through his MLB debut in 2004 and the teams most recent World Series appearance in 2015. Wright mi sed more than four months of the 2015 season, diagnosed with spinal stenosis, before he returned to the lineup in late August, with the Mets holding a healthy lead in the NL East. Collins recalled Wright telling him he didnt expect to hit in the middle of the lineup when he came back or disturb the way they were performing. He always put the team first, Collins said. Thats why we named him captain. But instead of listening to Wrights lineup advice in his return in Philadelphia on Aug. 24, 2015, Collins penciled Wright in the cleanup spot, and he responded in style to lead off the top of the second inning. David Wright of the New York Mets hits his first home run in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 24, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images What does he do? Collins said. He hits a homer his first time up. He came back and did that and then hit that World Series home run [against Kansas City]. And his presence still is felt now, with Francisco Lindor noting how special it was to be given the same locker Wright had at Citi Field. Lindor also politely declined to discu s in detail the po sibility of being named the Mets first captain since Wright in deference to Saturdays festivities. Its always great to be mentioned with him, but this weekend is about David Wright, Lindor said. He deserves all the love. Whatever happens with [the captaincy], happens. But nothing can take away from David Wright. Hans Crouse Jersey