SLAMMING THE DOOR: David Wright accepts congratulations from teammates Jonathan Lucroy, Brandon Phillips and Joe Mauer after his grand slam lifted Team USA to victory over Italy on Saturday night — and helped them into round two of the WBC. (
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MIAMI — A true leader has emerged for Team USA and his name is David Wright.
No matter how Team USA fares in the World Baseball Classsic, Wright’s performance is good for the Mets and good for his career. Now that Wright is surrounded by other talented players his talents are on display, as bright as a July Fourth fireworks show.
Wright heads into tonight’s second-round game against Puerto Rico at Marlins Park red hot. He was on base four times in the win-or-go home 9-4 victory over Canada on Sunday in Phoenix that sent Team USA to round two.
Wright is hitting .455 with a .571 on base percentage and .818 slugging percentage. He is a leader for manager Joe Torre in much the same way Derek Jeter was Torre’s captain in pinstripes. Fred Wilpon called Wright the Mets’ Jeter, and now Wright is Team USA’s Jeter.
Torre raved about Wright yesterday.
“He’s everything you hoped he would be,” Torre said. “He just looks like that guy that you’d like to talk to or hang out with or have him on your team, and just to see the maturity and the presence he has in the clubhouse, in the lineup, he’s a very responsible player.
“You know [it’s] not that he craves the spotlight, but he doesn’t shy away from it. What a special individual he is character-wise. I know we have a lot of talented players in all sports, but when you can sit there and just admire somebody for more than just his ability, that’s saying something, and I’m pleased to say that about David.’’
Sure sounds as if Torre could have been talking about good old No. 2.
Torre said even Jorge Posada, who is pulling for Puerto Rico, asked him for WBC tickets. A lot of eyes are on Wright and Team USA, which will have Gio Gonzalez as the starting pitcher tonight against Mario Santiago.
“What can you say about David?’’ reliever Heath Bell asked. “He’s completely awesome. He’s one of the best third basemen in the game and he’s going to be one of the best for a long time. He is just an incredible player.’’
Wright’s grand slam saved Team USA against Italy. Now that the United States has made it here, Wright can spend time with his inspirational friend Felix Perez, who lives in Miami. Perez is a wounded veteran, confined to a wheelchair. Whenever the Mets are here, Wright visits with the former Army sergeant. As a sign of their close friendship, Perez gave Wright a uniform he wore while serving in Iraq, and a medal. Those items have given Wright much inspiration.
Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips said it is an honor to play with Wright.
“David is a great guy,’’ Phillips said. “He is a great hitter. He’s a professional. Guys like myself look up to him. He’s a leader. I’m learning a lot from him.’’
Wright said even the loss to Mexico in Team USA’s first game may be a blessing in disguise.
“That first loss may have been the best thing that happened to us,’’ Wright said. “It made us realize that we have a target on our backs. We can’t just show up and expect to win these things.
“We’ve gotten some pretty good starting pitching, our bullpen has been phenomenal and we are starting to slowly get those big clutch hits. It’s going to be important to get out of this next round. This is not going to be any easier, it’s only going to get tougher from here on out.’’
Wright noted Puerto Rico hammered Team USA in their first meeting in the 2009 WBC and the Dominican Republic has been putting up “video game’’ numbers this time around.
But the final time Wright played Puerto Rico in 2009, he stroked a walk-off hit to send Team USA to the semifinals.
“It was a great experience,’’ he said, “but we’re looking for more this time around.’’
Back then, David Wright was still a kid. Now he is this team’s leader, call him Mr. USA.