David Wright to end playing career after the 2018 season

David Wright addressed the media this afternoon at Citi Field, announcing the end of his playing career at the end of the 2018 season. Wright will be activated on September 25th for the last homestand of the season, and will make one final start at third base on Saturday, September 29th.

An emotional Wright, joined by Jeff Wilpon and John Ricco, addressed the media and, despite lots of hinting around it, never said the word ‘retirement’ during the entire press conference. When eventually pressed on the issue, Wright and Wilpon said that he would not be ‘officially’ retiring, but will be medically unable to perform. Wilpon claimed that this is not about insurance or payroll; make of that what you will.

Wright discussed how, once he started playing in games this season, ramping up for his return, his body was telling him that “it just wasn’t working.” Wright talked candidly about the struggles on the road to recovery, as well as the both physical and emotional processes that brought him to this decision.

For an entire generation of Mets fans, David Wright is the Mets.

Congratulations to Wright on one hell of a career.