Matt Harvey was late for a workout on Tuesday. That’s what happened.
Harvey is 26 years old. Your intrepid columnist has hit the half-century mark, age-wise and has followed the game of baseball for all but seven years of that time, seeing pretty much all there is to see as a fan. He’s also not all that far removed from what he was like at age 26.
For you readers of similar vintage, think back to when you were 26. Weren’t there days when you hit the “snooze” bar once too often? Weren’t there those “morning afters,” when you just couldn’t bring yourself to move all that quickly? To his credit, Harvey did own up to his mistake, took responsibility and accountability for it, apologized to his teammates and management and faced the music from the press. He was on time on Wednesday. That should be the end of it, but it won’t be.
Harvey is a very, very good pitcher. In 2013, he captured New York like few other athletes have, certainly a rare occurrence for a Met. Then he got hurt. Upon his return this year, he pitched well again – surprisingly well, extremely well for someone coming off the type of injury he sustained. For most of the year, he kept his head down and did what his general manager, manager and coaches told him to do. There was some grumbling about six-man rotations and innings-limits and such, but in general, he stuck with the program. Until the end of August, that is. That was when the whole innings-limit discussion came home to roost. Much ink has been spilled and many pixels used up over that issue, so the particulars there won’t be rehashed here, but what that incident did was put Harvey on the radar, made him a lightning rod for Met fans’ hopes and fears. Some, myself included, overlook the off-field miasma and focus on what goes on between the lines — let’s face it: if Harvey goes seven innings, gives up four hits, strikes out ten and doesn’t walk anybody in a 6-0 Mets victory on Monday, all this kerfuffle will be forgotten. The other half fear the idea that with his actions the past two months, Harvey has set the Mets up to be a “24 + 1” operation, rather than a unified squad, willing to take on all comers. They look to the future, when Harvey will command a more than substantial raise in arbitration, and eventually take his talents elsewhere, most likely to the Bronx. This whole late-for-practice thing provides fodder for that segment of the fan base. They see Harvey as a spoiled diva and would ride him out of town on a rail, sooner rather than later. It also stirs up the “get off my lawn” crowd, those who consider themselves “old-school,” pining for the days when athletes kept their mouths shut and you could find a good ten-cent cigar. This is what sports has come to in this modern age: the TMZization of media and the Yankeefication of franchises and fan bases, especially here in the good ol’ Big Apple.
Now, having said all that, we are on the eve of the playoffs, after all. This is not the time or the place to go all Debbie Downer. The Mets are in the postseason for the first time since 2006 and the giddy second season starts late on Friday night. The off-diamond antics of Matt Harvey, Scott Boras, and a cast of thousands shouldn’t distract from that little fact. It’s up to those other 24 – especially Captain David Wright and First Lieutenant Michael Cuddyer – in the clubhouse to ensure that doesn’t happen. Just go out and win tomorrow night and at least guarantee a split on the Coast.
All that’s left to say is, #BeatLA, and #LGM !
Follow me on Twitter @CharlieHangley.
The only issue I have is that Matt Harvey is not most people. He can afford to have an army of people care for his every whim. On top of that, most people 26 are not at the apex of their chosen world, he is. I dont think about it for myself, but it sends a terrible “I dont give a sh!t” feeling to the team, because if he did, then he would not have been late, but an hour early for a mandatory practice in advance of a playoff game. Nothing in his life except family or medical issues should be on his mind besides this. Period.
Epic. Fail.
I don’t think Tom Seaver would of done that. Back in the days of alarm clocks and no smart phones. While I agree with Chris and the the “I don’t give a sh*t attitude”, it’s more like “Oops sorry about that”. He can have his own personal wake up call service. Surely Boras and company can provide Harvey with that. No need to embarrass yourself and the team. No need to be a distraction when the team is preparing for their most important games of the year. No need to show up your team mates by not being there. It shows them just how much he really cares about them. Other than that Harvey just needs to be reminded behind closed doors he’s one of twenty five. Albeit an integral one.
Just a side note. Is Harvey living in New Jersey? Boras can’t find him a place in Manhattan? Hey Matt! Next time take the subway.
He lives in the East village I think. No excuse. I guess his Maserati won’t cut through traffic magically, or wake him up after a night living it up.
Like I said, for me, I don’t care as long as he’s ready to go. But it makes him separate from the team he so desperately did t want to be away from during rehab. Now the bright lights are on, and he’s getting his car washed, his hair cut, or at the tailor getting a new suit instead of bleeding orange and blue.
Stay true folks!
Sorry Chris but no excuse if he lives there. If he’s running that late then take the 7 to Citi.
He’s a great pitcher. That’s it.
There comes a time when the red flags begin to signify something deeper beneath the surface. I’m not ready to go there yet, but from Doc to CC, we’ve seen that fame & glory & youth can be a toxic combination.
I think he’s an intensely driven competitor, so I don’t believe he’s going to get derailed.
But you never know.
Great post. Just can’t wait to see him pitch in the playoffs. He’s a modern day Joe Namath. For better or worse, he’ll always be in the spotlight.
Matt Harvey being late for a playoff game practice indicates to me that he has his priorities mixed up. I immediately thought of Doc Gooden when the incident occurred but that was an emmotional reaction of a Met fan that had witnessed a carreer being side tracked.
Harvey apologized, made ammends and life goes on.
Harvey will eventually want at least a 7 year contract worth $215m in the future. I just don’t see him willing to take an extension or sign a team fair contract. He believes he is the best pitcher and has the ego not to settle for less.
It will be up to the Mets if they want to commit to that in 2019 when deGrom,Syndergaard, Wheeler, and Matz are still under contract. IMO , I would trade him in the winter of 2018 and use the trade to retool the team.