If you’re born and raised in New York and your family and friends are Mets fans, you’re likely, but not definitively, to develop a strong aversion to the Philadelphia Phillies. The rivalry between these two Major League Baseball franchises is well-documented, and it has even influenced how some players perceive anything related to the Phillies and the city of Philadelphia itself.
Rivalries between fan bases are a common thread in sports, and baseball is no exception. In the case of the Phillies and Mets, several players have openly expressed their disdain for Philadelphia, with sentiments extending beyond the baseball diamond to encompass the city’s teams across various sports.
Since the mid-2000s, particularly from 2006 onward, the Mets and Phillies have reached similar performance levels, intensifying the rivalry not just among fans but among players too. A prime example of this dynamic is former Mets All-Star David Wright.
In a special program on SNY, Wright candidly shared his perspective on Philadelphia and its sports culture. “I was always courteous with other teams out on the field, but that wasn’t the case with the Phillies,” Wright revealed. “The city, its fans, the organization, and the players might be wonderful people, but I’ll never root for anything from Philadelphia, no matter which sport,” he said.
David Wright’s career performance against the Phillies
Though Wright never captured a title with the Mets, he distinguished himself by earning seven All-Star selections, a testament to his exceptional performance at third base over his 14-year Major League Baseball career. Throughout his tenure, Wright consistently delivered notable numbers against the Phillies.
In 188 games played against the Phillies, Wright amassed 36 home runs, 121 RBIs, and 115 runs scored, all while collecting 211 hits. Despite his power output, he posted a batting average of just .211 against Philadelphia, indicating that he struggled compared to his overall career performance, making him not one of the Mets’ all-time greatest performers against this division rival.
Wright’s legacy with the Mets
Spending his entire 14-year MLB career with the Mets, Wright compiled a series of impressive statistics, solidifying his reputation as a cornerstone of the franchise in the eyes of many fans.
Over the course of 1,585 games and 6,782 plate appearances, Wright scored 949 runs and recorded 1,777 hits. He also hit 242 home runs, drove in 970 runs, and stole 196 bases. With a Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 49.1 and an OPS of .867, Wright’s overall batting average stood at .296, underscoring his value and productivity for the Mets throughout his career.