This weekend, the New York Mets are getting the moment they have been waiting for for so long—David Wright’s No. 5 is officially being retired. On the Saturday before the game against the Cincinnati Reds, the Mets will hold a special ceremony to honor their longtime captain. Also, this is not just a moment of a jersey going up the wall—it’s the heart of an era being immortalized, and it’s huge.

See, Wright is a true Met—he bleeds blue and orange after having spent all 14 years of his MLB career in Queens. In today’s game, when freebies and contracts change loyalty, this is another level. But Wright was not just loyal; he was the face of the franchise through the highs and the lows.

When Wright was on the field, he made the Mets feel whole. And even now, after years of injuries forced him to step away from baseball, he still feels like home to the New York Mets fans. And the feeling is mutual. Because just ahead of the tribute, Wright got extremely emotional and mentioned, “It almost, to me, feels like the feeling you get when you come home from a long trip or you’ve been away and you get the chance to come home.” And he didn’t just stop there.

Wright went on to thank everyone, “I mean, just the support, like from my family in the first couple of rows. Friends who have flown from all over the country to come in have the support walking around the city for the last few days. Seeing No. 5 on the backs of so many people in New York has been humbling. Former teammates: I have gotten a chance to hang out with them for a couple of days. And as old players like to do, they reminisce about the good old days. But just an amazing experience; Steve and Alex make this nothing but first class.” 

And really, this moment is simply about remembering just how special he was. Wright leads the New York Mets in almost every major offensive category. From hits to RBIs to runs, doubles, walks, and total bases. He is a seven-time All-Star, a two-time Gold Glove winner, and the soul of New York baseball. But here’s the kicker—he was even better than most people can remember. Before his back issues took over, there was a time when David Wright was one of the best players of baseball on the planet. He had more WAR through age 30 than Chipper Jones. In MLB history, only two guys have hit. 300, at least 200 homers, 175 steals, and 600 walks in the first 10 seasons. Mike Trout and David Wright… that’s it.

He was supposed to be a Hall of Famer, but didn’t get that sunset ending he deserved. But this Saturday is all about the legacy and the guy who made Mets fans feel butterflies. And if fans didn’t forget, even Wright didn’t forget that made him meaningful in the MLB world.

David Wright reflects on a bond he has beyond baseball.

Before David Wright’s No. 5 gets etched into Mets history, he took a moment to talk not just about baseball but also about Shannon Forde. The woman who made Citi Field feel like home to him. With emotion in his voice, he said, “Every time I walk into the building, I think of Shannon. It feels like yesterday we were at the All-Star Game here, laughing, having a good time. She was always concerned about everybody else, no matter what she was going through.” Wright’s connection with Shannon, though, runs deep. When he was all but a rookie trying to pave his way through the majors, Shannon—then the New York Mets’ director of public relations—was his compass.

She helped him with everything from the interviews and fame to even his personal life. So from where the best places are to eat to dating advice and more. She was not a colleague—she was family. And Wright even has a connection with Shannon’s children. Nicky Forde once called Wright his best friend. Shannon’s kids, both Nicky and Kendall, grew up alongside Wright and so cheered him through everything. They ended their wedding and formed a deep friendship. After Shannon’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2012, Wright never hesitated to support her.

He attended every fundraiser for her. It was the morning after one of those events that Wright had agreed to his eight-year extension with the New York Mets. Now, as Wright preps to see his number retired, he reminded everyone to cherish the joy Shannon brought. “When I walk in here to enjoy it, and remember to smile. How she just, no matter what she was going through, was always concerned about everybody else. I think it’s a great lesson, not just in baseball. The lessons have stuck with me from Shannon.” Well, Wright is rich in luck, love, and relations- everything. Even Jacob deGrom couldn’t help but send in an emotional message, and that says something.