David Wright
A homegrown Mets superstar whose career was defined by clutch hitting, steady leadership, and a heartbreaking battle with spinal stenosis.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American baseball player·Birthday: December 20·Millennials
Biography
David Wright emerged from the Virginia Beach baseball scene not as a can't-miss phenom, but as a polished hitter the New York Mets selected in the 2001 draft. He quickly became the face of a franchise, a third baseman with a smooth right-handed swing and a workmanlike defensive style. Wright was the consistent bright spot through lean years at Shea Stadium, earning seven All-Star selections and two Gold Gloves. His defining moment came in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where he drove in 10 runs for Team USA and earned the nickname 'Captain America.' However, his narrative took a tragic turn with a diagnosis of spinal stenosis in 2015. His relentless, years-long effort to return to the field culminated in a single, emotional at-bat in 2018 before his retirement, cementing his legacy as a beloved Met who played his entire career for one team.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
David was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played his entire 14-year Major League career with the New York Mets, a rarity in modern sports.
- Named to seven National League All-Star teams between 2006 and 2013.
- Won two Silver Slugger Awards and two Gold Glove Awards for his play at third base.
- Led the 2013 World Baseball Classic in RBIs (10) and was named to the All-Tournament team.
- Finished his career ranked in the top three in Mets history in hits, doubles, RBIs, and runs scored.
Did You Know?
He was drafted by the Mets with a compensatory pick they received for losing Mike Hampton to free agency.
Wright's walk-up song at Citi Field was 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond.
He hit the first Mets home run at Citi Field in 2009.
Wright and Jose Reyes were the first homegrown Mets infield duo to start an All-Star Game together (2006).
“I gave it everything I had. I left it all out there. And I have no regrets.”
