How 2004 actually went.
The Mets attempted to compete through speed, defense, and veteran pitching, signing Kazuo Matsui and moving José Reyes to second base. The plan never settled. Injuries and uneven performance pushed the club out of the race, while the strange decision to move the younger shortstop created more questions than answers.
David Wright debuted in July and immediately looked comfortable. His line-drive swing, strong arm, and calm manner gave fans a second homegrown player to place beside Reyes. Mike Piazza remained the lineup’s biggest name, and Tom Glavine made the All-Star team, but the season’s real importance shifted toward the two young infielders.
A late collapse produced 91 losses and ended Art Howe’s time as manager. The year also closed the Jim Duquette front-office period as the organization hired Omar Minaya. The major-league result was poor, yet Wright’s arrival changed the emotional direction. Instead of searching outside for the next face of the Mets, the team finally had one developing in front of it.
The season fell apart, but Wright’s first two months made the future feel personal.