Combing the internet for nuggets about prior David Wright walk-offs proved to be an unsuccessful journey through the information superhighway, but I did make a nice detour on the information Subway.
I think the reason that Willie Randolph likes Wright so much is not because of Wright's penchant for superb play, but rather his affinity for a certain deli treat. Years ago, Wright was asked for his pre-game meal preference and he indicated his choice would be a turkey sandwich from his favorite fast-food chain, Subway. Move over Jared the weight-loss wiz and Joe Torre. I think it's time for someone to sign an endorsement deal. That restaurant would be wise to sign Wright while the price is still affordable. They're already in tight with the Mets, as evidenced by the advertisements on the back of this years ticket stubs.
It seems likely that Sunday's win provided the first of many walk-off moments for Wright, who in the opening week of the season lived up to the billing of every magazine cover and television feature that included him this winter. Wright could do no wrong all week. His hitting stroke was impeccable. His glovework was much improved. He seems to have a hearty baseball appetite from the get-go and that's a good sign.
One week does not make a perfect season, just as one meal does not make for a perfect dining day. Wright would do well to remember that lesson, one imparted to him on May 22, 2004 as a member of the Binghamton Mets. Scott Lauber's fine game story in the Press & Sun Bulletin details how Wright enjoyed one Subway sandwich a little too much. As a result, he had to leave the game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats after just four innings.
Wright got to see the exciting conclusion, one in which the B-Mets trailed 6-4 in the last of the ninth. With one run in, two on and one out, it fell to Wright's lineup replacement to come through in a big spot. David Bacani laced a drive into the left center gap that fell in for extra bases. The tying and winning runs scored and Bacani was credited with a walk-off triple, prompting teammates to refer to Wright as "Wally Pipp" for his bailout.
On Sunday, Wright was able to finish off his baseball meal in grand style. Hopefully one of his teammates, or the manager. took him out afterwards for a little four-course meal in the city as reward for his effort on Sunday.
True Metvids know...The following minutiae related to David Wright's sacrifice fly, which gave the Mets their first walk-off win of the season
* The Mets last 3 walk-off wins have all come against the Marlins. That's the first time in their 331 walk-off wins (unofficial count, including postseason) that the Mets have had a string of walk-off wins go that long against the same foe.
* It is the 11th walk-off sacrifice fly in Mets history and the first since Luis Lopez had one in a 2-1 win over the Yankees on June 28, 1998 (better known as the game where Brian McRae wandered aimlessly off first base and nearly cost the Mets the win). Of those 11, this is the fourth to end with the final score of 3-2.
* Wright joined Cleon Jones and Duke Snider as the only Mets to drive in all 3 runs in a walk-off win that ended with a 3-2 score. The only player to drive in more than three runs, and account for RBI on all the Mets runs in a walk-off win is Darryl Strawberry, who had 4 (including a walk-off two-run home run) in a 4-3 win against the Reds on May 6, 1988.
* Wright becomes the third Dave or David to win a game via walk-off for the Mets, joining Msrs. Magadan and Kingman
I think the reason that Willie Randolph likes Wright so much is not because of Wright's penchant for superb play, but rather his affinity for a certain deli treat. Years ago, Wright was asked for his pre-game meal preference and he indicated his choice would be a turkey sandwich from his favorite fast-food chain, Subway. Move over Jared the weight-loss wiz and Joe Torre. I think it's time for someone to sign an endorsement deal. That restaurant would be wise to sign Wright while the price is still affordable. They're already in tight with the Mets, as evidenced by the advertisements on the back of this years ticket stubs.
It seems likely that Sunday's win provided the first of many walk-off moments for Wright, who in the opening week of the season lived up to the billing of every magazine cover and television feature that included him this winter. Wright could do no wrong all week. His hitting stroke was impeccable. His glovework was much improved. He seems to have a hearty baseball appetite from the get-go and that's a good sign.
One week does not make a perfect season, just as one meal does not make for a perfect dining day. Wright would do well to remember that lesson, one imparted to him on May 22, 2004 as a member of the Binghamton Mets. Scott Lauber's fine game story in the Press & Sun Bulletin details how Wright enjoyed one Subway sandwich a little too much. As a result, he had to leave the game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats after just four innings.
Wright got to see the exciting conclusion, one in which the B-Mets trailed 6-4 in the last of the ninth. With one run in, two on and one out, it fell to Wright's lineup replacement to come through in a big spot. David Bacani laced a drive into the left center gap that fell in for extra bases. The tying and winning runs scored and Bacani was credited with a walk-off triple, prompting teammates to refer to Wright as "Wally Pipp" for his bailout.
On Sunday, Wright was able to finish off his baseball meal in grand style. Hopefully one of his teammates, or the manager. took him out afterwards for a little four-course meal in the city as reward for his effort on Sunday.
True Metvids know...The following minutiae related to David Wright's sacrifice fly, which gave the Mets their first walk-off win of the season
* The Mets last 3 walk-off wins have all come against the Marlins. That's the first time in their 331 walk-off wins (unofficial count, including postseason) that the Mets have had a string of walk-off wins go that long against the same foe.
* It is the 11th walk-off sacrifice fly in Mets history and the first since Luis Lopez had one in a 2-1 win over the Yankees on June 28, 1998 (better known as the game where Brian McRae wandered aimlessly off first base and nearly cost the Mets the win). Of those 11, this is the fourth to end with the final score of 3-2.
* Wright joined Cleon Jones and Duke Snider as the only Mets to drive in all 3 runs in a walk-off win that ended with a 3-2 score. The only player to drive in more than three runs, and account for RBI on all the Mets runs in a walk-off win is Darryl Strawberry, who had 4 (including a walk-off two-run home run) in a 4-3 win against the Reds on May 6, 1988.
* Wright becomes the third Dave or David to win a game via walk-off for the Mets, joining Msrs. Magadan and Kingman
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