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Meet Mets star David Wright

‘Captain America’ stops off at Coleman Country Day Camp to greet children

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Mets third baseman David Wright was holding an impromptu news conference amid a crush of reporters around noon on Monday when the 5- to 7-year-old campers started to cheer his name repeatedly, followed by three thunderous claps.

Just like that, Wright cut the conference short and headed over to the children, who were seated on bleachers that formed a semicircle.

Wright, 33, a seven-time All-Star and the Mets’ captain since 2013, appeared at Coleman Country Day Camp in Merrick on Aug. 8 for a day of light-hearted conversations and a steady stream of photo opportunities with Coleman’s hundreds of campers, who come from across Nassau County’s South Shore.

“This is an unbelievable camp,” Wright told the children. “I might have to start coming to camp.”

Campers peppered Wright with a range of questions, from his height to his shampoo to his June 16 neck surgery.

Wright said that he is recovering well from the procedure to repair a herniated disc, and he should be ready to return to play next summer. He had a plate and screw inserted.

“I’m feeling much, much better,” he said.

Wright also addressed the Mets’ loss to the Kansas City Royals in the 2015 World Series. “It was a fun ride,” he said. “We just came up a little short.”

He spoke of the sense of honor that he feels serving as the Mets’ captain. “It’s the best feeling,” he said, noting that he was voted captain by his fellow Mets. “It’s about how your teammates feel about you,” he said.

Wright, who grew up in Virginia Beach, Va., started playing baseball at age 5, he said. In 2001, the Mets drafted him when he was all of 18 years old. He played three years in the minor leagues before moving up to the Majors in 2004.

“I love playing for the Mets,” he said. “Is there any place better than New York?”
One youngster then piped in, “Are you going to try the grilled cheese?”

Wright smiled widely, looking slightly puzzled. Ross Coleman, Coleman Country’s director, said the camp is renowned for its grilled cheese sandwiches. “We will make sure we get David a grilled cheese,” said Coleman, who wore an autographed Wright jersey.

Only weeks ago, Wright and his wife, Ford model Molly Beers, welcomed their first child, Olivia Shea, named for the old Shea Stadium, where Wright said he has many fond memories playing. Two Sheas now attend the camp, Coleman said.

Nicole Celis, 15, a counselor-in-training from Point Lookout, wondered what it was like for Wright to serve as a role model for younger members of the Mets.
“Part of my responsibility is to help the younger players –– how to act properly, how to handle themselves as a professional,” he said.

Nicole, who plays softball, said she was thrilled that Wright took her question. “It’s a really big deal,” she said. “I’ve been a huge fan since I was little. To be able to see him up close and actually ask him a question is a really big deal.”

Ally Heyman, 14, of Hewlett, said she has played softball and baseball since she was 5. “I’ve watched him grow, and that’s really cool,” she said. “His hitting is what captured me. And I admire him.”

And 9-year-old Skylar Weiss, of Merrick, put it simply enough: “He’s my favorite Mets player.”