Mets' Wright ties Kranepool for franchise record in hits
David Wright's long-term future with the New York Mets may be unclear, but his status as one of the best hitters in franchise history is not.
Wright tied Ed Kranepool for the most hits in franchise history with two knocks in Tuesday's 10-6 loss to the Pirates. After blasting a solo home run in the first inning at Citi Field, Wright matched Kranepool's record with a sinking line-drive single in the seventh.
"Obviously, you'd like to do these types of things and win," Wright said. "But I'm proud of the fact that I was able to tie it and hopefully break it tomorrow."
It is worth noting that Wright needed just 1,255 games and 4,717 at-bats to tie the record that Kranepool set in 1,853 games and 5,436 at-bats. Wright also leads the Mets in hits, doubles, walks, RBI and runs scored and ranks second in batting average and third in on-base and slugging percentages.
"He truly is a great player," manager Terry Collins said. "This guy holds records now in so many departments of the organization. In the short period of time that he's played with this team, it is truly a tribute first to his durability and his talent. He plays every day. He plays hard. He prepares himself second to none and just continues to put up numbers."
Only three other active players in baseball lead their club's all-time hit list: the Yankees' Derek Jeter, the Rockies' Todd Helton and the Rangers' Michael Young.
If Wright sticks around for years to come, he will eventually sit atop almost every offensive category in the franchise record books. But that is no sure thing. The Mets hold a $16 million option on Wright's contract for 2013 and have expressed interest in discussing a long-term extension with him this winter. But without any guarantees beyond next season, it remains possible the Mets could lose the face of their franchise to a trade or free agency.
