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TORONTO - 1988: Don Mattingly #23 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1988 MLB season at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

David Wright’s career draws comparisons to a former Yankee

There are three traits in a ballplayer that every manager desires: loyalty, dedication, and professionalism. When evaluating talent, it’s generally a challenge to find these characteristics, especially with teenage draft picks, who have yet to fully mature.

But once in a blue moon, a special prospect gleams in New York’s hot spotlight, and excels in baseball’s most critical market. No, this isn’t a love letter that is longing for Derek Jeter’s return. This has to do with the Yankees’ crosstown rival.

New York Mets’ captain David Wright is at a crossroads. At the age of 33, Wright has dealt with a surprising number of injuries over the last few seasons, with his latest setback disclosed this past Wednesday. Wright underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck, a procedure that has an indefinite timetable for recovery and may even put an end to his tenure in Flushing.

Now, it’s probably the right time to explain that this isn’t any ordinary story that one may find here on this news source. Quite frankly, some fans may consider it sacrilege to talk about the Mets, or even have a mere thought about them. But this isn’t about a rivalry. It’s about a player, one who draws comparisons to a former Yankee great. So, here it is.

Wright made his major league debut in 2004, flourishing from the start, hitting .293 in his rookie season and .306 in his sophomore year. From there, he would make a trip to five consecutive All-Star games while also contributing to New York’s World Series push in 2006. Wright’s abilities seemed limitless — a player that could hit for average, generate power, and also flash the leather at third base with two Gold Gloves.

This may appear to be jarring, but Wright’s career with the Mets actually seems quite similar to Don Mattingly’s, during the Yankees’ dark ages in the 1980’s.

Alright, take a deep breath. This won’t be too bad. Believe it or not, the idea isn’t far-fetched, and the stats will prove it.

Mattingly’s tenure in the Bronx lasted 14 seasons, ending after the 1995 campaign when New York acquired first baseman Tino Martinez. While the Mets were the talk of the town in the mid-1980s, Mattingly’s Yankees played second fiddle, failing to reach the postseason from 1982 to 1994. Roughly a decade separated Mattingly’s departure and Wright’s arrival, but both are New York captains who tasted little team success, and were the face of their franchises that offered only a sliver of optimism during the prime of their careers.

Here are some stats that support the argument:

Mattingly finished with 222 home runs. Wright currently sits at 242.

Mattingly drove in 1,099 runs. Wright has 970.

Both first appeared in All-Star games in their third season, and would make it five consecutive years in a row.

Mattingly’s ability to get on base earned him three Silver Slugger awards. Wright has also won two.

Mattingly collected 2,153 hits, while Wright has tallied 1,777.

Both Mattingly and Wright may not be Hall-of-Fame worthy, but are two hard-working and loyal players that New York City embraced as its heroes during tough times. The memories of Mattingly’s success are strong because of the Yankees’ woes of that era, and Wright’s legacy is one and the same. They are names that were worshiped and idolized when there was no one else to love. They were leaders that fans deserved. They were the only reason you wanted to spend your New York summers at the ballpark.

Lastly, while these two men don’t necessarily receive enough credit for doing their jobs well, they do share so many characteristics as mentioned above. Gentlemen on and off the field, who respected the integrity of the game, and were proud to represent their team colors, even when opportunity may have knocked elsewhere.

There are only nice words that can be spoken about David Wright. He has done everything the right way, and perhaps being little brother to Derek Jeter was the guidance that Wright needed most.

And so the comparison stands. Love and embrace David Wright, Mets fans. He’ll always be yours.