Womack: Injuries could cost David Wright a Hall of Fame plaque
From SABR member Graham Womack at The Sporting News on October 20, 2015, with mention of SABR members Adam Darowski and Jay Jaffe:
After doctors diagnosed New York Mets third baseman and seven-time All Star David Wright with spinal stenosis this spring, Bryan Grosnick of Beyond the Box Score wrote:
No one’s jumping to the conclusion that David Wright’s career is over, at least just yet. However, there’s at least the possibility that the defining player for the Mets over the last dozen seasons has played his last meaningful (game). If this were to be the case, Wright would end his playing days with a career that is at worst enviable and, at best, a borderline Hall of Fame career.
Wright logged just 38 games this season and has struggled through the postseason so far, going 2-for-23 at the plate. He’s dealt with injuries in general the past few years, averaging 126 games from 2011 to 2014 after averaging 156 games his first six full seasons. Such is often the case with infielders, but it’s always jarring to see. If history’s a guide, one would be foolish to bet on Wright returning to pre-injury form.
The New York Times recently chronicled everything Wright has to do before a game to ease his aching back, bringing to mind the routines of Sandy Koufax for his arthritic elbow near the end of his career. At 32, Wright looks like a long shot to return to being a regular All Star. And barring a miracle, it looks as though Wright will fall just short of Cooperstown.
Read the full article here: http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb-news/4658778-david-wright-mets-hall-of-fame-mlb-playoffs-2015
Originally published: October 20, 2015. Last Updated: October 20, 2015.