After years of pain, rehab, setbacks and surgeries, David Wright made it back to Citi Field. The atmosphere New York Mets fans created for what are likely to be Wright’s final MLB games did not disappoint. Wright was activated by the Mets on Friday and is slated to start Saturday’s game, but he made a cameo appearance in Friday’s game against the Marlins. Once this series and season are over, Wright is expected to retire after 15 seasons as a Major Leaguer. This wasn’t just any case of a beloved veteran retiring though; Wright has endured years of frustration due to injuries and is making his return after more than two years away from the field. Due to spinal stenosis, neck surgery and lingering shoulder and back issues, Wright hasn’t played more than 40 games in a season since 2014. Going through an ordeal like that will make a return special. David Wright’s emotional Citi Field return Citi Field stirred in the fourth inning when Wright moved into the on-deck circle for a pinch-hitting appearance in the fourth inning, but fans were forced to wait after the inning ended early. One more inning after two years of waiting. David Wright steps into the on-deck circle… …but he'll have to wait until next inning to hit. pic.twitter.com/xBaRv3qRyX — SportsNet New York (@SNYtv) September 29, 2018 Wright came out of the dugout again to lead off the fifth inning, and he experienced a raucous standing ovation. Now Batting: David Wright. pic.twitter.com/FUVhtweMON — SportsNet New York (@SNYtv) September 29, 2018 “Now pinch-hitting for the Mets, the captain, No. 5, Daaavid Wright!” Wright’s family was on-hand to watch him face Jose Urena. Story continues Unfortunately, the result of Wright’s plate appearance was the sole disappointment of the night, with the 35-year-old grounding out on a chopper to third base. David Wright's first at-bat in two years results in a groundout pic.twitter.com/kiM5nySorH — SportsNet New York (@SNYtv) September 29, 2018 It might not have been everything Wright and Mets fans wanted, but the good news is that he will get another chance on Saturday. He’ll make his final appearance at his long-time home of third base. His daughter is expected to throw the ceremonial first pitch to his father. Hugs with teammates will be exchanged. And if Friday is any case, the crowd will be ready for one very loud, very touching goodbye. David Wright and Mets fans have been waiting for this for years. (AP Photo) More from Yahoo Sports: • Ryder Cup: Americans left scrambling after getting trounced in afternoon session • Kimberley A. Martin: Rams’ star power strong enough to contend in L.A. • FBI investigating MLB over dealings with international players • Pete Thamel: Rapid rise of OSU QB Dwayne Haskins is phenomenal<doc-sep>Mets Morning News David Wright made his return to major league baseball on Friday, and while he grounded out, and the Mets were obliterated by the Marlins, it was a momentous occasion for a man who struggled for two years to get back on the field. Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, New York Times, NY Post, Daily News, Newsday, MLB.com, Bergen County Record. Ken Davidoff looked at Mickey Callaway’s puzzling quote about why he didn’t help deGrom get a standing ovation at the end of his final start. The Athletic on what it’s like to prepare to face Jacob deGrom. Anthony Rieber says deGrom’s been great, but he’s still not as good as Doc Gooden was in 1985. The New York Times had a fun piece about Mets fans in far-flung corners of the world. There where, as you might expect, a lot of David Wright tribute pieces yesterday. Here they all are: Mark Hale on how a duel with Barry Bonds showed what kind of player Wright would be. Kristie Ackert on how even the stadium staff at Citi Field love Wright and on how Joe McEwing views Wright’s fight to comeback for one last week. Steven Marcus on how David Wright never gave up hope. Matt Ehalt on the legacy Wright leaves behind. John Harper on Howard Johnson views Wright’s career. Clark Spencer on how Brian Schneider will have been at both Wright’s first and last games. Matt Ellentuck on the condition that ended Wright’s career, spinal stenosis. Lee Jenkins on how Wright was everything the Mets could have ever hoped for. Amy Parlapiano with a fan’s ode to David Wright. Joel Sherman on Wright being a Mets lifer. The Yankees being classy for once and taking out a full page ad to salute Wright. Ken Davidoff on how Wright’s final game should be truly “Amazin.” Around the National League East The Braves beat the Phillies to keep their chances of claiming home field advantage in the playoffs statistically alive. The Rockies clinched a playoff berth by beating the Nationals. Around Major League Baseball A federal grand jury is looking into baseball’s international dealings, particularly in Latin America, and it has teams spooked. The Yankees will host the AL Wild Card game against the Oakland A’s. The Dodgers moved within one win of the postseason. Addison Russell’s ex-wife says she wasn’t ready to speak to MLB in 2017, but is ready to talk now. Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue Alex Nelson looked back at David Wright the prospect, before his days in the big leagues. There was a new episode of Amazin’ Avenue Audio. Vasilis Drimalitis previewed the Mets/Marlins series. Joe Sokolowski returned with another edition of “This Week in Mets Quotes.” This Date in Mets History Casey Stengel, the first manager of the Mets, died on this date in 1975 at the age of 85.<doc-sep>After Mickey Callaway was hired as Mets manager last October, one of his first phone calls was to the team captain. David Wright hadn’t played for the Mets in 1 ½ years at that point and his future in baseball was hazy, but Callaway viewed a strong relationship with the All-Star third baseman as paramount in establishing credibility in his new job. “[Wright] acted like a rookie on the phone,” Callaway said Saturday at Citi Field. “He understands that for us to be the best possible team we can be, that every player has to do what it takes, and that is what he said he would do.” The 35-year-old Wright, who is managing spinal stenosis, was in the Mets’ starting lineup Saturday night in a return and goodbye. It was Wright’s first major league start since May 27, 2016, but also the last of his career — Wright is concluding his playing days because he is unable to continue physically. Callaway was thankful for the limited time he got to spend around Wright this season, from spring training to stints on homestands as Wright rehabbed and finally over this last month as the player worked out with the team to prepare for his last hurrah. Wright’s official comeback was Friday night, when he entered as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning and grounded out to third base on the first pitch he saw from Marlins right-hander Jose Urena. Wright’s strength in returning from three surgeries and the debilitating stenosis, along with his character, are the traits Callaway most admires in the player. “It’s needed on a championship team to have a guy like David Wright,” Callaway said. “He exemplifies everything you want out of a player, he holds his teammates accountable, but first and foremost he holds himself accountable. “His grind just to get back to this spot has been unbelievable and most people wouldn’t do it, so everything about him is exactly what you want and what a championship team needs. Kudos to him for everything he’s done in his career.” Wright’s surprise guests for his finale included former teammates Michael Cuddyer and Cliff Floyd. Cuddyer, a childhood friend of Wright’s who played on the 2015 Mets, flew in from Norfolk, Va., just for the occasion. Floyd was a veteran player with the Mets when Wright arrived to the major leagues in 2004. “I don’t know how much of [Saturday] that David is going to remember until he sits back and reflects on it,” Cuddyer said. “It’s almost like your wedding day — you don’t remember it until you look at the pictures.” Jacob deGrom paid Wright the ultimate compliment. “He’s honestly the best teammate I’ve ever had,” deGrom said. “I was talking to my wife on the way home [Friday], and said, ‘I am going to miss this guy.’ ” Wright was so nervous in his pinch-hitting appearance Friday that he thought he might vomit as he was getting loose on deck. His at-bat consisted of only one pitch. “You make the out and you are like, ‘Man, if the pitch was just a little higher, I could have done something with it,’ ” Wright said. “But that’s probably the only time in my career that making an out put a smile on my face at least.”<doc-sep>David Wright will make his much-anticipated return to games at Citi Field later this month — but it’s also what the New York Mets star is saying will likely be his final farewell. The team announced Thursday that Wright will be activated Sept. 25 when the Mets play the Atlanta Braves and start at third base Sept. 29 against the Miami Marlins, the team’s final Saturday home game of the season. Wright said Thursday he’s looking at that game as the final game of his career too. This was his answer when asked if he thought he’d play again after this: “The way I feel right now and from everything the doctors have told me, there’s not going to be any improvement,” Wright said. “So I don’t see that as a possibility.” An emotional David Wright confirms the Mets' final homestand this season will be his last. (via @SNYtv)pic.twitter.com/Onl1FrreJO — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 13, 2018 Wright, 35, hasn’t played since May 2016 and played only 75 games since 2015 while he dealt with back, shoulder and neck problems. During the announcement, Wright teared up and avoided the word “retire” while addressing his teammates and Mets fans specifically. “It’s truly been an honor to take the field with you, and serve as your captain,” he said. “To the fans, words can’t address my gratitude.” Fans hoped he would return far earlier this season, but he experienced setbacks in spring training following a September 2017 surgery to repair his right rotator cuff and an October surgery on his lower back. In 12 minor league games in St. Lucie and Triple-A Las Vegas last month, he hit for a .171/.209/.195 slash line. In 7 for 41 with a double, two RBIs, two walks and four runs scored. Wright participated in a simulated game at Citi Field last week. Story continues New York Mets infielder David Wright will be activated by the team for its final homestand. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron) David Wright’s on-going health issues Wright, a seven-time all-star, is the face of the New York Mets with two Gold Gloves, two Silver Slugger awards and an otherwise decorated career at the hot corner while the team struggled before a World Series appearance in 2015. In his first seven seasons, he avoided the disabled list, but has been a mainstay on it in the years since. He averaged 156 games a season from 2005-2010 and 126 games from 2011-2014. In May 2015 he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column, after missing time with a right hamstring sprain. He began extensive hours-long pre-game routines simply to get on the field every day. In June 2016 he underwent neck surgery to repair a herniated disc and in February 2017 he was diagnosed with right shoulder impingement, forcing him to miss Opening Day and the rest of the season. The David Wright decision could cost the Mets millions Both Wright and Mets COO Jeff Wilpon danced around saying 100 percent that he was retiring during Thursday’s press conference. Wright indicated a few times that his body isn’t capable of playing big-league baseball anymore. Wilpon started the press conference by saying, “his body is still preventing him from making it back.” Later, Wilpon said that Wright isn’t technically retiring but that he medically unable to play, as James Wagner of the New York Times noted: Wilpon said that Wright isn’t technically retiring. Wright is medically unable to play anymore. His final week is essentially ceremonial. — James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) September 13, 2018 A lot of this dance, as you can imagine is related to money. Wright is still owed $15 million in 2019 and $12 million in 2020 as part of the eight-year, $138 million deal he signed in November 2012. If he officially retires, he wouldn’t get the money. But if he plays, it hinders the Mets’ insurance policy against his contract. After Wright signed the $138 million deal, the Mets took out a policy that would pay 75 percent of Wright’s salary if he misses more than 60 games. By activating Wright, the Mets will be on the hook for more of his salary this year and next year — since the 60-game clock on the policy would reset. The decision to activate Wright will, in essence, cost the team millions of dollars. “The decision has nothing to do with insurance or finances,” Wilpon said Thursday. “It’s about David’s long-term health, his quality of life and desire to get back on the field. Giving him the chance to get back on the field is the right thing to do for David, our organization and the fans.” More from Yahoo Sports: • Naomi Osaka reveals what Serena told her while fans booed at U.S. Open • Mayor lifts Nike ban in Louisiana town following outcry • Jags coach gets too ‘pissed off’ to watch Super Bowl • Antonio Brown apologizes to ESPN reporter after sending threatening tweet<doc-sep>
At 8:27 on Friday night, David Wright popped out of the dugout and into the on-deck circle to prepare for his first major league at-bat since May 27, 2016. The crowd of 27,045 at Citi Field stood and cheered for the Mets’ captain. The only problem was there were two outs in the fourth and Wright’s pinch hit at-bat for pitcher Corey Oswalt would come only if Kevin Plawecki extended the inning. Plawecki grounded into a forceout for the third out. Subscribe to Newsday’s sports newsletter Receive stories, photos and videos about your favorite New York teams plus national sports news and events. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. The crowd booed. Wright went back into the dugout to wait for the fifth inning. He had waited two-plus seasons to make his return. What were another few minutes? At 8:44, after the Marlins scored two runs in the top of the fifth, Wright came out of the dugout again. The crowd stood and cheered again. At 8:45, Wright walked to the plate as he was introduced by the public address announcer. David Wright said he felt a type of nervousness tonight that he had never felt before — and he almost puked in the on-deck circle. pic.twitter.com/TLTduQyaPZ — Tim Healey (@timbhealey) September 29, 2018 Wright took a practice swing, dug into the righthanded batter’s box and grounded a first-pitch fastball from righthander Jose Urena to third baseman Brian Anderson, who fielded a short hop and threw out Wright at first. One pitch. One swing. One out. David Wright was a big-league player again. It was a brief hello. On Saturday night, Wright will start at third base in his final game and say a longer goodbye. “It was amazing,” Wright said. “It really was amazing. In a way — and I told Plaw this afterward — I think I needed another inning, so I was like, ‘I’m kind of glad you got out.’ I hate to be a bad teammate right there, but that first time on deck was something special. I really felt butterflies that I had never felt before. I think I was pretty close to throwing up on deck. I know I dropped my bat and I never would have just let the bat fly. I had to walk a couple steps and pick it back up. The fan support — it really was overwhelming.” Wright has been active since Tuesday, but the Mets did not use him in three games against the Braves because Atlanta was playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs. The games against Miami are meaningless in the standings, but obviously very meaningful to Wright. “Everything felt just new,” Wright said. “I’ve played in a lot of opening days and I’ve played in some playoff games and some World Series games and I had never felt the type of nervousness that I felt tonight.” Manager Mickey Callaway announced the decision to have Wright pinch hit on Friday before the game, which the Mets lost, 8-1. Knowing he was going to be the first pinch hitter used gave Wright time to get ready, which he needs because of the back, neck and shoulder issues that will end his career after this weekend. “I wish I could have gotten a hit,” Wright said. “But putting 96 in play isn’t so bad either . . . Might be two pitches tomorrow, too. I’m just trying to get up there and whack at it.” On Saturday, Wright will start at third base and in his familiar third spot in the order. After his second plate appearance, Wright will take the field and then will be taken out so the sellout crowd can give him an ovation. After he leaves the game, Wright is expected to appear for a half-inning on the TV broadcast (the game will be shown on SNY and Ch. 11) and a half-inning in the WOR-710 radio booth. Wright’s 2-year-old daughter, Olivia Shea, will throw out the first pitch to Wright’s dad, Rhon. The Mets also are expected to hold a postgame ceremony honoring Wright, after which he will address the crowd. That will be it. Wright will not play in Sunday’s season finale. Said Wright: “It’s going to be a sleepless night, I know that.”