New York City contains a “What have you done for me now” culture with performers. You have to be on you’re A-game virtually all the time to avoid being booed. This goes for athletes, broadway performers, stand-up comedians, the guy dressed as Elmo in Times Square, and the bum on the corner of 14th and 3rd playing the guitar for some spare change. It’s what makes New York New York. We pay ridiculous prices for rent and food and demand and expect the best in return.
To some, Matt Harvey is currently a victim of this circumstance. Through his last start on May 24th, well, he hasn’t been on his A-game.
Through 10 games this year, the Dark Knight has allowed 73 hits in 53.1 innings, has an ERA above 6.00, and opposing hitters are hitting .330 against him.
Mets fans booed him last Wednesday at Citi Field and I’ve heard some callers on the radio and seen fan tweets upset at Matt for his poor start to the season.
If you’re one of those fans upset at Matt for his embarrassing start to the season you should be more ashamed of yourself than anything Artie Lange has done in his life. O.k., that’s a little too far but you get the point. Matt put his arm, his future earnings and career on the line last September and October to bring you a Championship and now you’re upset that his elbow looks like one of those toy flamingo’s you win at an Amusement park? What did you expect to happen?
A potential injury was a risk we all knew could sadly transpire with Matt pitching past his innings limit last year, but you can’t now be screaming and groaning that the odds fell on the wrong side and now he’s not on the top of his game.
This situation wouldn’t change even if Harvey was bad in the playoffs. The slight fact that he pitched way over the doctors’ recommendation tells you that he wanted to win – and that’s all that matters. He’s a warrior, a fighter and a winner. Do I think his ego is getting the best of him right now, wanting to pitch his next start against the White Sox? Yes. But that’s a story for another day.
Now, would you still be upset had Harvey shut himself down in September and October and had Jake Arietta-esque numbers? If your answer is yes and you’re a diehard Mets fan then you’re lying. If your answer is truly yes then I respect you. But if your answer is no then I have news for you – you can’t have it both ways: Unhappy if Harvey shut it down last September and unhappy he’s pitching terribly now because of giving it his all in the playoffs.
What Matt Harvey did, to me, was gutsy and admiring. You rarely see that in sports anymore – a guy risking his future for the chance to win in the present. There’s just too much money on the line in contracts and endorsements.
Harvey will be a free agent after the 2018 season and a lot of teams will be scared to give him that David Price, Max Scherzer-esque money now because of his arm troubles post Tommy John. Harvey, who is often at the top of his game, is a top 10 pitcher in the sport. Who knows what will happen to him now. He could require a second Tommy John surgery, be put on an innings limit or something else that’s, well, not good.
So to all of you fans upset that Matt Harvey’s laid multiple eggs this season, appreciate that he put his entire future on the line last year just to help bring you a championship. And he came pretty damn close to doing so.
