MIAMI – Sometimes it’s all about your country and your bragging rights.
David Wright lived out a dream last night, a dream that began in high school, when he first watched a different Team USA play baseball.
The Mets third baseman lifted a one-out, bases-loaded single down the right-field line off Fernando Cabrera to knock in two runs and lead Team USA to an improbable, 6-5 victory over Puerto Rico at Dolphin Stadium. The victory sends Puerto Rico home and the U.S. to the World Baseball Classic final four in Los Angeles.
The All-American kid got the All-American hit in the three-run ninth.
That hit was bigger than Carlos Delgado’s two-run homer in the top of the fourth and Carlos Beltan’s leaping catch that robbed Brian McCann of a home run in the bottom of the fourth.
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Before these games began, Wright stood along the third-base line and said the tournament was about pride of country and bragging rights in the Mets clubhouse. That was important, too.
He came up a winner on both accounts.
“I’m going to send them a text,” Wright said outside the Team USA clubhouse about a half hour after he was dog-piled by jubilant teammates.
And what will that text to Delgado and Beltran say?
“I’m going to tell them to enjoy St. Lucie,” Wright said with a first-to-third smile. “The whole game we were kind of ribbing each other back and forth, and it was good to be able to come out on top. That was a lot of fun.”
Wright owns those bragging rights for the next four years. The hit also saved the U.S. from being embarrassed for the second straight time in the WBC, after failing to make it past the second round in a pathetic showing in the first WBC.
Wright was disappointed he did not make that first WBC team. He also owns a big thank you to that famous kiss the mirror and tell guy, Alex Rodriguez. It was Rodriguez’s decision to play for the Dominican Republic that opened the door for Wright to play third base on Team USA. After Rodriguez made that decision, Wright sent a text to A-Rod, thanking him.
See, every decision A-Rod makes isn’t a bad decision.
Wright’s desire to play for his country began when he was in high school. Back then another Team USA was playing an exhibition in Norfolk, Va., and Wright went to that game as a fan.
“I’ve always wanted to be a part of anything Team USA,” Wright said. “I remember when the Olympic basketball teams were playing, I’d always go and get the jerseys. So when Team USA was playing at Harbor Park in Norfolk, I went to that game and got as much Team USA gear as I possibly could. I loaded up. Now to be able to wear it, is pretty cool.
“To put this jersey on is an incredible honor. Something all of us in that clubhouse take very seriously. The amount of fun and pride that we have is incredible. I never thought I’d be dog-piling in March, but that’s a feeling I’ll never forget.
“And to redeem ourselves after being embarrassed by Puerto Rico two days ago, that’s something that will last a lifetime.”
As Wright ran down the first base line, he raised his arms in triumph once he saw the ball was going to drop in for a hit.
“Then to get chased by some of the best players and get tackled by them, that’s pretty cool,” Wright said.
Just then Mets reliever J.J. Putz came by and gave Wright a congratulatory fist pump and a thank you for keeping the two away from Port St. Lucie for another week.
Wright punched their ticket to L.A. The All-American kid is the All-American hero.
Team USA 6 Puerto Rico 5