Former Mets ace Matt Harvey attempts a rebirth with the Orioles

It doesn’t seem that long ago that “Happy Harvey Days” were regarded as the best day of the week for New York Mets fans, as our former ace Matt Harvey always seemed primed to put on a show on the mound. While there were also certainly a fair amount of low moments during Harvey’s Mets tenure as well, especially off of the field, Harvey had become a bonafide superstar in New York City that would ultimately earn him the nickname “The Dark Knight”.

Unfortunately, an accumulation of injuries that included a Tommy John procedure and a procedure for thoracic outlet syndrome would lead to a tragic conclusion of The Dark Knight era in New York, which was an ending that many Mets fans would have never scripted. Since being drafted seventh overall in the 2010 MLB Draft, many fans expected multiple Cy Young Awards and World Series titles with Harvey at the top of a once-promising starting rotation.

Since his release from the organization in 2018, Harvey has bounced around five different organizations that include the Cincinnati Reds, the Los Angeles Angels, the Oakland Athletics, the Kansas City Royals, and now his current landing spot with the Baltimore Orioles. While Harvey has produced an unsightly 7.72 ERA over 199 innings pitched during that period, the Baltimore Orioles signed Harvey to a Minor League deal this spring in hopes of catching lightning in a bottle for their pitching starved rotation.

Former New York Mets ace Matt Harvey has been given another chance to revitalize his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021.

While the jury is still out on how much Harvey may have left in the tank, he has shown enough this spring in front of Orioles brass to be officially added to the Opening Day roster, and he has also secured himself a spot in the starting rotation for the upcoming season.

Harvey also still believes he has plenty left in the tank. After he had been named to the starting rotation Harvey boldly stated to reporters, “I’m not gonna settle for anything. I know how the lowest of lows feel in this game and my hunger to get back to being a successful starter — I’m not going to try to be as good as I was. I’m going to try to be better.”

It’s fair to wonder whether this could possibly be Harvey’s last shot in the Major Leagues should his poor results over the previous three seasons carry over to 2021. If Harvey makes it to May with the Orioles, he’ll have a shot to face the Mets at Citi Field for a two-game series on May 11th and 12th. In what would be must-see TV should Harvey take the mound during that series, it will be Harvey’s first return to the place he once called home and surely a game he would absolutely be fired up about.

I can speak for most Mets fans in saying I wish nothing but success for Harvey this season in hopes that he can have a second life of prosperity in the Major Leagues. Sure Harvey had his fair share of issues in the spotlight off the field, but arguably there was nobody more intense and actively driven to be great every single night he took the mound than Harvey during his time with the Mets.

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Good luck Matt and we hope to see you in May!