Wright visits Fan Cave, recalls All-Star memories

Hours before his team's rubber match against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, Mets third baseman David Wright stopped by the MLB Fan Cave to shoot an All-Star video for AOL's "You've Got" series.

Set for his sixth Midsummer Classic, Wright reminisced about his past All-Star Game experiences and looked ahead to this year's game, which will be played on July 10 at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium.

AOL's "You've Got" video series affords individuals a platform through which to share everything from fascinating stories to motivational advice.

"We've [interviewed] all kinds of actors, athletes, musicians, scientists -- all kinds of people of interest talking about their passion points," said AOL producer Brandon Cruz.

From his childhood dreams of playing in the All-Star Game to the reality of launching a long ball vs. the American League in 2006, Wright comprehensively chronicled his Midsummer Classic memories during his segment, which will be posted on AOL.com on Tuesday.

The All-Star third baseman, who entered Thursday with a .350 average, 10 homers, 26 doubles and 55 RBIs, has been one of baseball's best performers to date.

The Wright-led Mets (44-38) have thus far exceeded the prognostications of baseball pundits.

"I think we all understood early in the season that expectations for us outside the clubhouse were low. But we never thought that about ourselves," Wright said.

"We knew we had the raw talent. It was just a matter of coming together and figuring out each guy's individual role on the team. We are continuing to do that and gaining that momentum and confidence."

Much of the Mets' success can be attributed to the fantastic first-half performances of starting pitchers R.A. Dickey -- a fellow 2012 All-Star -- and southpaw Johan Santana, who missed all of 2011 with a major injury to his throwing shoulder.

Wright said there is "no question" that Dickey should start the game, and that the knuckleballer is "an incredible, incredible stopper for us every fifth day."

Wright also referred to the Mets' left-handed co-ace as "the Johan Santana of old."

"You didn't know what you were going to get from Johan after that injury and surgery, but he's been back to his old self," Wright said. "He's going out there and putting us in a position to win pretty much every ballgame that he starts."

Wright added that the Mets have gleaned a great deal of confidence from manager Terry Collins, a member of the NL's All-Star coaching staff.

"You take on the persona of your manager, and I think we've taken on that fiery, never-say-die attitude that Terry has," Wright said. "He just brings an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm every day, and that ultimately rubs off on the players."

An annual All-Star from 2006-10, Wright missed the cut last year after sitting out most of the season's first half with a lower back stress fracture. The adversity from the experience, while trying, helped him grow as a player.

"You never want to get hurt or spend time on the disabled list, but I tried to make the most out of the time I got [while injured] to work on some things that I thought were lacking in my game," Wright said.

Seeing the ball better than ever before, the 29-year-old has made contact on a career-high 84.5 percent of his swings this season, according to Fangraphs.com, which ranks Wright as baseball's second-best player so far based on his wins above replacement (4.5).

Wright thoroughly enjoyed his time at the Fan Cave on Thursday, which was his second trip to the sport's social media center. He also visited in 2011 with comedian Jim Breuer.

"Being a baseball fan, you walk in here and this is almost like a baseball dream," Wright said.

Prior to departing, Wright had an opportunity to meet Fan Cave dwellers Lindsay Guentzel and Ashley Chavez.

"David Wright seems like an awesome guy," Chavez said. "I can't wait to really talk to him in KC."

The Dwellers, who learned on Monday that they would be attending the All-Star festivities, are extremely excited to watch all of the sport's stars on the same field at the same time.

"[Going to the All-Star Game] has been on my bucket list for years," Guentzel said.

The experience should be equally as exciting for Wright, who is honored to represent his league once again.