Matt Harvey, who pitched for several MLB organizations but had his best years with a New York Mets uniform, announced his retirement from baseball on Friday.
He leaves the game with a 50–66 record, 4.42 ERA, and 867 strikeouts.
He was an absolute star at Queens from 2012 to 2015, though, and looks like a perennial All-Star.
Harvey was an All-Star in 2013 and the National League’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2015, the same year in which he helped the Mets reach the World Series.
However, after that year, everything went south.
He had thoracic outlet syndrome, which stole his fastball velocity, and had a concussion starting 2016.
His career was derailed due to drug use, poor performance and other controversies.
Mets fans, however, fondly remember the pitcher who was a true workhorse from 2012 to 2015.
Harvey also showed some love towards Mets fans in announcing his retirement.
“Matt Harvey has announced his retirement from baseball on Instagram: ‘To fans, most important NY Mets fans: You made a dream come true for me. You are forever etched in my heart. Goodbye, baseball. And thank you. (via IG / Matharwe33),” tweeted SNY Mets.
Matt Harvey announced his retirement from baseball on Instagram:
“To the fans, most importantly NY Mets fans: You made a dream come true for me. You will always live on in my heart. Bye, baseball. And thank you.”
(via IG/matthew33) pic.twitter.com/RRvSVQNCyo
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 5, 2023
Indeed, he lived a love story with Mets supporters in the first half of the 2010s.
It is a shame that he had two consecutive bad years in 2016, 2017 and then left the organization in 2018.
He wasn’t much better with the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, or Baltimore Orioles, but his arm wasn’t exactly the same.
He at least had a good feel to close out his career: He pitched with Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) this year.
Harvey lived the highs and lows of baseball like no one else.
He is now stepping away from the game to start his life after baseball.
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Former MLB ace announces his retirement