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- David was a terrific student at Hickory High. At graduation, he was selected as class speaker.
- In high school David’s favorite pre-game meal was a turkey sub from Subway.
- When Chesapeake-born Michael Cuddyer was drafted in the first round by the Twins in 1997, he instantly became one of David’s favorite players.
- David is a member of a remarkable draft class. In the first round alone, seven players—including Mark Prior, Mark Teixeira and Joe Mauer—have already become major league regulars. The Mets’ first pick in the 2001 draft was Notre Dame’s Aaron Heilman. David was drafted 38th overall.
- David was honored by Baseball America as one of the Florida State League’s Top 10 Prospects in 2003.
- David was leading the Eastern League in hits, slugging and on-base percentage when he was promoted to Norfolk in 2004.
- During his stay at Norfolk, David played ping-pong with his teenage brothers before home games, and Texas Hold-Em after he got back from the ballpark.
- One of David’s biggest thrills came at the 2004 Futures Game, when he started at third next to his good friend, shortstop BJ Upton.
- As he rose through the Mets system, David was frequently compared to former phenom Gregg Jefferies. Ironically, David’s agent used to represent Jefferies.
- David is the 129th third baseman in Mets franchise history.
- In 2004, the Royals offered free-agent-to-be Carlos Beltran for David and the Mets turned them down.
- When David got to the majors, he spent hours picking the brains of locker neighbor Vance Wilson. A month later, Wilson was picking David’s brain about hitting.
- David claims he doesn’t remember touching the bases on his first major league homer. He says it was like floating around the basepaths.
- David had the first multi-homer game of his career in a September loss to the Marlins.
Michael Cuddyer,
2001 Heritage
Gregg Jeffries,
1989 Donruss