Major League Baseball

Is Wright a future Hall of Famer?

Published Jul. 2, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

You can bet David Wright is fired up about Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Not only will he be making his seventh appearance and fifth start for the National League, the Mets third baseman will be doing it at his home park of Citi Field at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

"I was drafted by this team, developed by this team, and a lot of players don't get the opportunity to participate in one All-Star Game," Wright told MLB.com "This year being at home, obviously it's special."

When considering the best New York Mets of all time, Wright has to be in the conversation.

For a franchise — now in its 52nd year — which boasts offensive names like Strawberry, Mookie, HoJo, Kranepool, Harrelson and Cleon Jones, would you believe the team's all-time hits leader is Wright?

It's true.

It helps that Wright, in his 10th major league season, has played his entire career with the Mets. Only Ed Kranepool has played more games for the franchise. The Krane spent all 18 years of his career with New York, totaling 1,853 games to Wright's 1,349 (all stats through July 10).

Ranking third through eighth on that list: Bud Harrelson (1,322 games, 13 years), Jerry Grote (1,235, 12), Jones (1,201, 12), HoJo, as in Howard Johnson, (1,154, 9), Mookie Wilson (1,116, 10) and Darryl Strawberry (1,109, 8).

With 1,528 hits, Wright is the Mets' all-time hits leaders. Kranepool is second (1,418), followed by Jose Reyes (1,300), Jones (1,188) and Edgardo Alfonzo (1,136).

While Strawberry and Mike Piazza are 1-2 in homers with 252 and 220, Wright is third at 216.

There are a few other Mets' categories, which Wright ranks first: RBI (861), runs (839), doubles (342), total bases (2,569) and walks (665). On the negative side, he's struck out more than any New York Met with 1,075 Ks.

The two-time Gold Glove-winning third baseman is currently batting .308 with 13 homers and 43 RBI this season.

Back to the Mets' leaderboards.

Wright's .301 career batting average ranks second, sandwiched between 17-year veterans John Olerud (.315), who was with the Mets for three seasons, and Keith Hernandez (.297), who was with New York for seven.

With 945 singles, Wright is 105 shy of Kranepool's franchise record. Wright is also tied for third in slugging percentage (.506), fourth in on-base percentage (.383) and fifth in stolen bases (180).

So again, it's hard to not list Wright among the best Mets of all time.

When his career is eventually done — he'll turn 31 in December — will his résume be strong enough for the Hall of Fame?

Watch the above video to hear more of his case.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball