“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.

And so for a generation of Mets fans, Wright will forever be the standard — the player who sparked their appreciation of, their devotion to, their obsession with the Mets. No players may wear No. 5 ever again, but spend a summer weeknight at Citi Field, and you’ll see a hundred of those jerseys, in plain white or pinstripes, in black or blue.