This Week in Mets Quotes: Thank you, David

Thank you David.

“All these fans thanking me? I feel like I should be thanking them for 14 great years.” –David Wright [Newsday]

“[David Wright recalled playing T-ball as a 5-year-old with his dad, hitting balls into a fish net in the backyard:] It was the World Series, I was on the Mets: two outs, bottom of the ninth, and I was at the plate. Thwack!” –David Wright [Newsday]

“I live and die with this team. I think that’s what made the connection between the fans and me so strong.” –David Wright [Newsday]

“This is love. You guys welcomed me with open arms as a 21-year-old kid. There were a lot of strikeouts, a lot of errors, but you had my back from day one. For that, I can’t say thank you enough.” –David Wright [New York Post]

“I can’t sit here and tell you that I’m good with where I’m at right now. That would be a lie. That would be false. You love something so much and you want to continue that. I obviously got a little taste of that, and I’m already feeling that physically. It was a wonderful night. It was something that I will remember for the rest of my life. But I’m at peace with the work and the time and the effort and the dedication that I put into this. But I’m certainly not at peace with the end result. Tonight was special.” –David Wright [New York Post]

“Coming to the ballpark, I didn’t know what to expect. Then there were five or six dozen fans waiting. That’s when it hit me — this was going to be an awesome night.” –David Wright [Newsday]

“I held up good until I saw Mickey come out. Certainly [it was] emotional for me, but at the same time one of the best, most loving experiences I think I’ve ever been a part of.” –David Wright [New York Post]

“[Regarding David Wright’s daughter’s, Olivia, ceremonial first pitch] Hey, she threw it well, and I gave that about a 10 percent chance. I thought I’d end up chasing her around the outfield.” –David Wright [Newsday]

“[Regarding Peter O’Brien catching his foul ball in his last career at bat.] We catch the ball. You wouldn’t want it any other way.” –David Wright [Newsday]

“[Peter O’Brien dealt] with relentless boos when he came to bat, when he trotted out to first base, whenever he touched the ball. Wright confessed he dug the nuttiness of it. “That’s that fan passion I was talking about. That was cool.” –David Wright [Newsday]

“[Wright said he sent a signed ball to O’Brien with the inscription] “You should have let it drop’’ after hearing that O’Brien’s teammates were razzing him.” –David Wright [Newsday]

“[Would Wright ever want to be a manager?] He scrunched his face. “Maybe, someday; it’s too early to say. What I love is this, and I want to extend that as long as I can.” –David Wright [New York Times]

“No. 1, David is a special person. For me, it’s his authenticity. Being who you are all the time, and that’s what David is. As far as wearing a Mets uniform his whole career, he’s the best that’s ever done it.” –Michael Cuddyer [Newsday]

“It shows a lot of character, a guy that’s not going to give up on it. He keeps fighting and fighting. I think it tells you a lot about him as a person and what he wanted to do.” –Don Mattingly [Newsday]

“He’s honestly been the best teammate I ever had. [deGrom called his wife on the way home.] I told her, I’m really going to miss that guy . . . He’s someone I looked up to . . . It’s sad to see him go.” –Jacob deGrom [Newsday]

“[After being traded, Ike Davis headed straight for the locker room shower] [Wright] came in the shower in his uniform and told me to get a towel because he wanted a hug but I didn’t think that was appropriate lol. He doesn’t go out very much but that night he made me choose a bar and we had a couple of beers and talked. He is one of the few people in baseball that I will always look up to. On and off the field. I am a better person today because I got to play with him.” -Ike Davis [SNY.TV]

“One night after a game in 2012, Wright was in the middle of a long interview with an unfamiliar reporter. The guy was struggling with his questions and taking way too long. This caught the attention of catcher Josh Thole, whose locker was nearby. “Who’s that?” Thole mouthed to me. We in sports media sometimes do this ugly thing where we undermine others because of our own insecurity, and here I fell into the trap. I shrugged and smiled at Thole, and probably giggled behind the poor guy’s back. Ugh. Once the interview ended and the guy was out of earshot, Wright turned his focus to me. What follows aren’t exact quotes, but his message and most of his words are burned into my memory:

”I remember when you first came out here, how nervous you were,” Wright said, before launching an imitation of a kid with a wobbly voice. “Mr. Wright, do you have a minute, please?”

He was correct, of course, so I stood there and took it. David Wright, infinitely more accomplished at his profession than I, could give a person time and respect. And I couldn’t? It was time to get over myself.” -Andy Martino [SNY.TV]

“I’m all out of tears, but this is love. I can’t say anything else — this is love.” –David Wright [Newsday]