Wright and Jose Reyes, the former Mets shortstop who spent most of his career playing next to Wright, would race one another on the field at the end of practices. “Here’s my two stars, going full-bore on the second day of spring training,

“DA-VID WRIGHT!” they chanted as the master of ceremonies, Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose, attempted to move forward. Wright embraced his former teammates before making his way to his wife and three children, manager Carlos Mendoza, and team owner Steve Cohen and his wife, Alex.

Wright missed more than four months of the 2015 season, diagnosed with spinal stenosis, before he returned to the lineup in late August, with the Mets holding a healthy lead in the NL East. Collins recalled Wright telling him he didn’t expect to hit in the middle of the lineup when he came back or disturb the way they were performing.