Mets legend David Wright opens up on MLB career hampered by spinal stenosis

Former New York Mets third baseman David Wright retired in 2018 after a prolonged battle with neck, shoulder and back injuries.

Wright, who spent his entire 14-year career with the Mets, was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal, in 2015.

On the "Amazin' Conversations with Jay Horwitz" podcast posted on the Mets YouTube channel on Monday, Wright opened up about his condition, denying having any lingering regrets.

"I mean, it's easy to play the what if game and kind of say, what if I hadn't been injured? Or what if a certain play would happen and I would have been able to been a little healthier? I tend to be a glass half full type of person. So if you told me when I was a young kid that I would be able to spend my entire career with the New York Mets to be in the position that I'm in now, I would have signed up for that in a heartbeat," Wright said (6:27).

He added that he is happy to have managed to make full use of his potential.

"Every once in a while, you kind of think back and it's like, you know, what if this were to happen? And it's a tough game to play, you know, because of that, those what ifs. But I'm incredibly proud about my career. I think I got every ounce of ability that I was born with out of this body of mine," he went on.

"I joke with my parents all the time that not only did they give me this, you know, bad spinal condition, but also it was an uphill battle with their lack of athleticism. So I had to overcome a lot of hurdles. So I like to bring that back and throw it in their faces," he further added.

New York Mets to retire David Wright's No. 5 jersey

The New York Mets announced that David Wright’s iconic No. 5 jersey will be retired in a special ceremony before their July 19 matchup against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field.

Wright will also be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame, making him only the second player, alongside the legendary Tom Seaver, to receive both accolades on the same day.

"Excited, humbled, honored are just some of the words to describe the thought. I can’t quite put into words the appreciation I have for the city of New York and Mets fans. It was an honor of a lifetime taking the field as your Captain and I truly feel like this honor is just as much yours as it is mine. Thank you for the continued support and I can’t wait to see you on July 19!” Wright was quoted as saying by mlb.com.

The seven-time All-Star put up great numbers for the New York Mets from 2004-2018, slashing .296 with 242 home runs, 970 RBIs and 196 stolen bases. He was also a two-time Gold Glove winner and earned top-10 MVP finishes three times.