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He Did it The "Wright" Way
David Wright and the article he’ll never read
Last Sunday, I thought I’d write about the Spartan Race.
The 10k, 25 obstacle, horror of a mountain challenge I’d run the day before.
The hardest physical challenge I’ve ever taken on.
I had the headline in mind. The message. The reflections.
But I didn’t have the words. Not yet.
I figured this week would be the one.
But then something happened.
Something that made it clear...
The Spartan story would have to wait…again.
Two Hours to Queens
This Saturday, I drove over two hours to Citi Field with my kids.
David Wright was being inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.
His number—5—officially retired.
The highest honor a team can give a player.
Now, I’m not the type to fawn over athletes or celebrities.
But every once in a while, someone just… stands out.
Not because they’re famous.
But because they do it right.
A Night I’ll Never Forget
Sixteen years ago, I had a personal experience with David Wright.
It made such an impact on me that I wrote an article about it.
Titled:
"A Night to Remember: Lessons in Faith, Gratitude, and Leadership."
(You can read it here.)
It was the first game ever at Citi Field.
I took my young son, my brother, and my father-in-law.
The game ended in disappointment — the Mets lost — and after the game, most players walked by the kids and families waiting for autographs, without a word.
But my son wanted to keep waiting.
For one player. His favorite.
David Wright.
It got late. Most families had left.
And just when we thought it wasn’t going to happen…
Wright came out, walked his family to his car, and made his way back toward us.
He looked my son in the eye.
Apologized for the wait.
Signed an autograph.
That night wasn’t about baseball.
It was about grace. Character. Presence.
And now, 16 years later… he’s still the same guy.
The Documentary and the Captain
Over the weekend, I watched a new documentary about Wright, along with several interviews with past coaches and teammates.
So many stories about how when asked to become captain of the Mets — he accepted only on the condition that his fellow teammates were behind it.
He said the “C” had to come from them.
How during a game when one of the Met’s pitchers had hit a player on the opposing team.
Everyone in the stadium knew what was coming next: retaliation.
And Wright, as the team’s best player, would be the target.
But before he could take the field, the manager pulled him from the lineup to protect him.
Wright wasn’t having it.
He marched right up to the manager.
And basically said:
“That’s my pitch to take.”
He didn’t want out of harm’s way.
He wanted in.
That’s leadership.
That’s heart.
His Father’s Goal
In the documentary, his father said:
“We weren’t trying to raise a great ballplayer.”
“We were trying to raise a great human.”
Well…, mission accomplished!
And as I sat there at Citi Field,
Watching his family walk onto the field - his wife, his kids, his parents.
Observing the 40,000 people that endured traffic, waited in lines,
Just to say thank you…
It wasn’t about a stat line.
It was about legacy.
What It’s All About
The way former teammates and coaches teared up.
The way he gave thanks.
The way the crowd showed up.
I felt a jolt of emotion and feeling of:
This is what it’s all about.
Going after something with your whole heart.
Staying humble.
Doing it the “Wright” way.
When asked how he did it…
He said he focused on two things:
· Wanting it more than anyone else
· Being willing to work harder than anyone else
And he did it all with honor.
With grace.
With a deep sense of what actually matters.
David Wright will never read this article.
But this isn’t really about him.
It’s about what he represents.
What I built Inspired Fire to stand for.
Making an impact.
And feeling that impact too.
That’s what he gave the game.
That’s what the game gave back.
And that’s what I want for ALL of us.
Not just to chase success.
But to live with heart.
To lead with fire.
And maybe most of all—
To feel what it means to give everything you've got...
and to see it come back tenfold.
That’s what Saturday was.
That’s what he felt.
Because he made an impact.
And without question—
He felt it too.

David Wright gets his number 5 retired
With Absolute Sincerity,
Ed Clementi, Founder & CEO of Inspired Fire, LLC
Make an Impact and Feel an Impact.