Wright the ideal commish for Battle of the Badges

NEW YORK -- David Wright is one of the best players in Mets history. He has the stats to back it up, ranking first in team history in runs scored (949), hits (1,777) and RBIs (970).

Although his playing career ended after the 2018 season, Wright continues to care about the New York City Police and Fire Departments. Like he did as a player, Wright is planning to visit those men and women next month, and he will be commissioner of the second annual Battle of the Badges baseball game between New York’s finest and the FDNY on Aug. 10 at Citi Field.

Game time is at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets are $20, and local charities will receive donations from ticket sales and concessions. There will also be giveaways for fans between half-innings.

“When the Mets approached me to help out with the event, I jumped at the chance because of the relationships that I have made with police officers and firefighters in New York,” Wright said. “It was something I circled the date right away and I said, ‘I will be available. I will clear my calendar. You just tell me where and when and I’ll be there.’

“I do feel responsible to shake their hands and say, ‘Thank you for the service that you do on a daily basis.’ But also, it’s something that I enjoy being around those types of people because I have family members who are those types of people. We kind of get each other. It’s funny -- when I sit down and have a conversation with a police officer and firefighters, they always want to talk about Mets baseball, and I always want to talk about what’s going on with their occupations.”

Wright’s love for both departments dates back to when he was growing up in Virginia. His father, Rohn, was a police officer in Norfolk for more than 30 years, and David knew at an early age that these men and women risk their lives to protect and serve the community on a daily basis.

After becoming a Major Leaguer in 2004, Wright picked up the mantle from the 2001 Mets, who featured John Franco and Al Leiter and visited firehouses that were affected by 9/11.

“I remember being a kid, and every time a police officer or firefighter would drive by, my dad would insist that we wave at them,” Wright remembered. “If we see them out in public, we make sure we say, ‘Thank you.’ That always stuck with me. That’s something I teach my kids. I have the utmost respect for law enforcement and firefighters because of my upbringing and what my dad saw [in the streets].”

Wright spent his entire 14-year career with the Mets. Asked how good it would be to be back at Citi Field, Wright said, “Selfishly, for me, I’m taking my family to the Mets game the night before [against the Cubs]. It will be my 2 1/2-year-old son’s first time at Citi Field. New York -- particularly Citi Field and Shea Stadium -- is like a second home to me.

“I was a Met half my life. It always holds a special place. To be able to share that with my kids, my family, [is great]. Let’s have fun at the baseball game, but at the same time, on Thursday, I’m going to teach my kids about the appreciation that we have for police officers and firefighters.”