David Wright Named Team Captain

By ZACH DOLEIDEN

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Just a few days after earning the nickname “Captain America” from his colleagues on the team representing the United States in the World Baseball Classic, Mets’ third baseman David Wright was named just the fourth team captain in franchise history by team management and his teammates.

“This is probably one of the proudest days of my career so far,” Wright said. “I’m honored and very proud to be on that short list of guys that have been considered captain of this franchise. For me, it’s a dream come true, to say the least.”

It was a forgone conclusion that Wright would eventually be named captain after he signed an eight-year, $138 million contract that will keep him in a Mets’ uniform through 2020.

In a true display of personal character however, Wright would not accept the title without the consent of his fellow players. As a result, Wright went up to each and every one of his peers in the clubhouse and personally asked them if they would accept him as their captain.

“There’s nobody better to choose as a captain,” first baseman Ike Davis said. “He’s a professional on and off the field.”

The six-time All-Star, who also claimed two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers during his career, joins Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter and John Franco as the only captains in team history.

Wright also joins Derek Jeter of the Yankees and Paul Konerko of the White Sox as the only active captains in baseball and, like them, will not wear the large “C” that signifies captain status on his uniform.

“David is not a guy who wears it on his sleeve, which probably relates to the ‘C’ on the uniform and the fact that it won’t be there,” general manager Sandy Alderson said. “He’s not somebody who is a captain in title alone. It’s really about the substance underneath the title.”