Collins: Wright's Willingness To Get Plunked A Lesson For Mets' Youngsters
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- David Wright was ready and willing to take one for the team -- actually, that may even be an understatement.
Mets reliever D.J. Carrasco had just beaned Brewers slugger Ryan Braun after a Rickie Weeks home run in the top of the seventh, and David Wright was set to lead off the bottom of the frame.
Everyone in the stadium seemed to know a retaliatory plunking would likely come next, including New York manager Terry Collins, who wasn't about to take that chance with Wright.
Collins flexed his managerial muscles and pulled Wright from the game.
"I just could not afford to have my starter get hurt," he told WFAN's Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton on Wednesday. The skipper called in from his fan-attended breakfast at the Hard Rock with Mike Francesa.
Listen: Collins with Boomer & Carton
(You can download the entire interview HERE.)
Though a heated dugout exchange was caught on camera, Collins said everything has been ironed out. Matter of fact, the five-time All-Star called Collins after the game and texted him Wednesday morning.
"Nothing's hidden. When David came off the field, you know, he knew he was gonna get drilled," said Collins. "He said, 'I'm gonna go take this,' and I said, 'Not tonight, you're not.' "
Collins hoped Wright's fiery willingness to put his body on the line would serve as a lesson for the Mets' youngsters.
"That's why he is who he is on this club," said Collins. "He's the face of the organization and I love him to death. I think he plays the game right. And I hope the young players, I hope those young players -- we have a lot of them out on that bench -- saw what he was willing to do for the ballclub last night."
Perhaps it would have turned out differently if the game were tight. But Collins wasn't about sacrifice Wright's body in an 8-0 blowout.
"That's what I said to him afterwards. I said, 'There'll be a time when you're gonna have to wear one for what's happened,' " Collins said. "But last night, I didn't think last night was that time."
As for why Carrasco -- who was ejected by plate umpire Gary Darling -- would bean Braun? Wright was at a loss for words after the game, and Collins sounded just as puzzled.
"I'll tell you guys," he told Boomer and Carton, "I wish I had the answer for that."
Your thoughts on Collins' decision and Wright's willingness to stand in against the heat? Sound off in the comments below...
