The New York Mets will retire uniform number 5 in honor of David Wright during the 2025 season. It’s an honor worthy of Wright, who was clearly the greatest infielder the Mets have ever had.
Before Wright came along, third base was famously a trouble spot for the franchise. For the first two decades of Mets’ history, the hot corner was more like a walk-in freezer: frigid. Until Wright came along in 2004, the best third baseman in franchise history was Howard Johnson. But Wright’s stellar career, spent entirely with the team in Queens, elevated No. 5 to legendary status for Mets fans.
Not since Mike Piazza had the Mets had a position player as beloved as Wright. Next season, New York will place his number on the rooftop of Citi Field.
Current ownership is keen on honoring franchise history. The Wright ceremony will marl the sixth uniform retirement in the last five years. In 2021 the team retired the number of Jerry Koosman. In 2022, it was Keith Hernandez and Willie Mays, and in 2024, the Mets retired the numbers of Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden.
Players to wear No. 5 for the Mets
Here’s a list of nine other Mets to wear No. 5 with the franchise:
- Norm Sherry (1963)
- Ed Charles (1967-1969)
- Jim Beauchamp (1972-1973)
- Jim Gosger (1974)
- Steve Henderson (1977-1980)
- Jeromy Burnitz (1993-1994)
- John Olerud (1997-1999)
- Mark Johnson (2000-2002)
- Tsuyoshi Shinjo (2001-2003)
