LOS ANGELES — While one Mets third baseman continued to burnish a legacy on the field at Dodger Stadium on Monday afternoon, another — this one secure in his franchise iconhood — watched in admiration.
Without fanfare, David Wright took in the Mets’ 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series from a seat several rows behind the first base dugout. He and onetime teammate Josh Satin, his good friend and a fellow SoCal resident — and another of the only 189 people who have ever manned the hot corner for the franchise — decided to make the trip to Chavez Ravine.
And so, the greatest third baseman in Mets history ended up seeing Mark Vientos mash a grand slam in the second inning that stood as the difference.
It was the latest signature moment for Vientos, 24, in a star-making postseason. He now has three homers, a 1.086 OPS, and a very exciting future.
He also has a strong stamp of approval from his most significant predecessor.
“I remember meeting him for the first time in spring training when he was in the minor leagues,” Wright told SNY. “They asked me to go speak to a group of infielders during early work. Mind you, it’s the middle of spring at 7 a.m. He asked if I had extra time after working/speaking with the group to spend with him individually.
“We hung out for the next 20 minutes just talking baseball. That has always stuck with me. When I watch him play he looks like a 10-year veteran as opposed to a rookie. Nothing fazes him and he doesn’t allow one bad at bat or one error to faze him.”
