Matt Harvey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matt Harvey |
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Harvey with the New York Mets in 2013
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: March 27, 1989 New London, Connecticut, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| July 26, 2012, for the New York Mets | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 8, 2021, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 50–66 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.42 | ||
| Strikeouts | 867 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Matthew Edward Harvey (born March 27, 1989), known as "the Dark Knight", is a former American professional baseball pitcher. He played nine seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). His teams included the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, and Baltimore Orioles.
Harvey played baseball and basketball at Fitch Senior High School in Groton, Connecticut. He continued his baseball career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Mets picked Harvey in the 2010 MLB draft. He was the seventh player chosen overall. In his first major league game on July 26, 2012, Harvey set a new team record. He had 11 strikeouts and earned his first win.
Harvey had a great season in 2013. He was chosen to play in the MLB All-Star Game. He then missed the entire 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery. He came back in 2015 and helped his team win the National League pennant. They went on to the World Series. After a strong start to his career, injuries affected his performance. These included thoracic outlet syndrome and a stress fracture in his shoulder. After a tough start to the 2018 season, Harvey was traded to the Reds. He later played for the Angels, Royals, and Orioles. He also played for the Italy national baseball team.
Contents
- Early Life and High School Baseball
- College Baseball Career
- Professional Baseball Journey
- International Baseball Career
- Awards and Honors
- Personal Life
Early Life and High School Baseball
Harvey was born in New London, Connecticut. He is the only son and youngest of three children. His parents, Ed and Jackie Harvey, were both teachers. He grew up in Mystic, Connecticut, with his two older sisters. His father was a talented athlete at Groton, Connecticut's Fitch Senior High School. He played baseball and football at the University of Connecticut.
Harvey grew up as a New York Yankees fan. He especially looked up to players like Paul O'Neill and Derek Jeter. From a young age, he always wrote that he wanted to play professional baseball.
At Fitch Senior High School, Harvey played both baseball and basketball. His dad coached him in baseball. He was teammates with future Major League pitcher Jesse Hahn. As a freshman, he could throw a baseball as fast as 90 miles per hour (140 km/h). Harvey often pitched full games. He would strike out many batters in each game. He also played summer baseball for different travel teams. As a high school senior, he was named a Rawlings First Team All-American. He was seen as one of the best pitchers in the 2007 MLB draft. However, he was picked later than expected by the Los Angeles Angels. He chose to play for the UNC Tar Heels instead of signing with the Angels.
College Baseball Career
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Harvey went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He studied sports administration. During his college career, Harvey had a record of 22 wins and 7 losses. His earned run average (ERA) was 3.73. He is ninth all-time in UNC history for strikeouts (263). He is also tenth in wins (22).
Harvey played for the Chatham Anglers in the Cape Cod Baseball League during the summers of 2008 and 2009. In 2008, he had a very low ERA of 0.83. He struck out 29 batters. His time in Cape Cod helped him improve his pitching skills. His college pitching coach, Scott Forbes, said Harvey returned with "a more professional approach."
Professional Baseball Journey
The New York Mets chose Harvey as the seventh overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. He was listed at 6 feet 4 inches tall and 210 pounds. He batted and threw with his right hand.
Starting in the Minor Leagues
In 2011, Harvey's first year in the Mets' minor-league system, he played for two teams. He split his time between the Single-A St. Lucie Mets and the Double-A Binghamton Mets. With St. Lucie, he had 8 wins and 2 losses with a 2.37 ERA. He recorded 92 strikeouts. He was named a Mid-Season All-Star.
He was later promoted to Double-A Binghamton. Harvey also pitched in the 2011 All-Star Futures Game. He earned a save for the winning U.S. team.
In 2012, Harvey was ranked as the Mets' second-best prospect. He was invited to spring training but did not make the main team. He was sent to the Triple-A team, the Buffalo Bisons. In the first half of 2012, Harvey had 7 wins and 4 losses with a 3.39 ERA. This earned him Mid-Season All-Star honors.
Playing for the New York Mets
2012 Season Highlights
The Mets decided to bring Harvey up to the major leagues in July 2012. This happened after some other pitchers got injured. Harvey made his first major league start on July 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He pitched 5+1⁄3 innings and had 11 strikeouts. He also got his first major league hit, a double. Harvey set a Mets record for strikeouts in a debut game. He was the first player since 1900 to strike out 10 or more batters and get two hits in his first MLB game.
In his second start, Harvey had 18 strikeouts over two games. This was a Mets record for a rookie. He finished his first season with 3 wins and 5 losses. His ERA was 2.73 over 10 starts. He recorded 70 strikeouts.
2013 All-Star Year
Harvey continued to impress in 2013. Some experts compared him to great pitchers like Justin Verlander. Former Mets manager Bobby Valentine said Harvey could be "the best Met pitcher to ever wear the uniform." His strong performance in April earned him Pitcher of the Month honors. He had a 1.56 ERA and 46 strikeouts.
On April 13, Harvey almost pitched a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins. On May 7, he pitched with a severe nosebleed. He retired the first 20 Chicago White Sox batters. He almost pitched a perfect game. Harvey was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. He was called "The Dark Knight of Gotham." On June 18, he had a career-high 13 strikeouts against the Atlanta Braves.
Harvey was chosen as the starting pitcher for the 2013 MLB All-Star Game. The game was held at the Mets' home ballpark, Citi Field. On August 7, Harvey pitched his first career complete game shutout. He gave up only four hits. On August 26, Harvey was diagnosed with a partial tear in his right elbow. He had to stop playing for the season. He finished the season with 9 wins and 5 losses. His ERA was 2.27 with 191 strikeouts. He later had Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2014 season.
2014 Recovery Season
On October 22, 2013, Harvey had successful Tommy John surgery. He began his recovery process. He started throwing a baseball again four months after his surgery. The Mets wanted him to be ready for the 2015 season.
Harvey had hoped to return in September 2014. However, the Mets decided it was safer for him to wait until 2015. They wanted to be cautious with his recovery. The team was also not in playoff contention that year.
2015 Comeback and World Series Run
On April 9, 2015, Harvey returned from surgery. He allowed no runs in six innings and struck out nine batters. Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martínez said he believed Harvey could have a better career than his own.
On May 18, Harvey pitched 8 innings without giving up any runs. On July 11, Harvey hit his first career home run.
There was some discussion about limiting Harvey's innings pitched. His agent, Scott Boras, suggested a limit. However, Harvey later said he would pitch in the playoffs.
On October 12, 2015, Harvey pitched in Game 3 of the NLDS. He earned the win, becoming the first pitcher to win a postseason game at Citi Field. He also started Game 1 of the 2015 World Series against the Kansas City Royals.
In Game 5 of the World Series, Harvey started strong. He had a 2–0 lead in the ninth inning. He convinced his manager to let him finish the game. However, he then allowed a walk and a double. The Royals tied the game and eventually won the World Series.
2016 Injury Struggles
Harvey struggled at the start of the 2016 season. His pitching speed and control seemed to be missing. He had some good starts, but he was not as successful as the previous year.
On July 8, it was announced that Harvey needed season-ending surgery. He had a condition called thoracic outlet syndrome. Harvey said he was disappointed with his pitching. He hoped the surgery would help him get back on track. He finished the 2016 season with 4 wins and 10 losses. His ERA was 4.86.
2017 and 2018 Challenges
After his surgery, Harvey started the 2017 season well. But his struggles returned in May and June. On June 15, 2017, Harvey was placed on the disabled list. He had a stress fracture in his shoulder that needed surgery. He was out for 6–8 weeks. He finished the season with 5 wins and 7 losses. His ERA was 6.70.
Harvey continued to struggle in 2018. He had 0 wins and 2 losses with a 6.00 ERA after four starts. On April 21, he was moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen. On May 4, 2018, the Mets announced that Harvey would be leaving the team. He had refused to go to the minor leagues.
Time with the Cincinnati Reds
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On May 8, 2018, the Mets traded Harvey to the Cincinnati Reds. He joined their starting rotation. On May 11, 2018, Harvey made his first start for the Reds. He pitched four scoreless innings. For the Reds in 2018, he had 7 wins and 7 losses. His ERA was 4.50.
Playing for the Los Angeles Angels
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On December 21, 2018, Harvey signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He had a 7.50 ERA in 48 innings before being placed on the disabled list. He was later released by the Angels on July 21, 2019. He finished his time with the Angels with 3 wins and 5 losses. His ERA was 7.09.
Short Stint with the Kansas City Royals
On July 28, 2020, Harvey signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. He was promoted to the major leagues on August 19. With the 2020 Kansas City Royals, Harvey appeared in 7 games. He had 0 wins and 3 losses. His ERA was 11.57.
Final Season with the Baltimore Orioles
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On February 13, 2021, Harvey signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was added to the main roster on March 25.
On May 12, Harvey started against his former team, the New York Mets, at Citi Field. It was his first start there since 2018. He pitched 4⁄1 innings and gave up 7 runs. Mets fans gave him a standing ovation as he left the field. Harvey said he was holding back tears and that it was a very special moment.
On June 9, Harvey started against the Mets again. He gave up 7 runs in three innings. On September 12, Harvey was placed on the injured list due to a knee problem. This ended his 2021 season. He finished with 6 wins and 14 losses. His ERA was 6.27. The Orioles did not keep him after the season.
In April 2022, Harvey re-signed with the Orioles' minor league system. He made 13 starts in the minor leagues. On May 5, 2023, Harvey announced his retirement from professional baseball.
International Baseball Career
Harvey pitched for the United States national under-18 team in 2006.
He also played for the Italy at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He had 1 win and 0 losses with a 1.29 ERA. He led the team with 7 innings pitched. He announced his retirement from playing two months later.
Awards and Honors
Minor League Achievements
- MiLB.com Organization All-Star (2011)
- All-Star Futures Game Selection (2011)
- Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star (2011)
- 2x FSL Pitcher of the Week (April 18 and May 31, 2011)
- International League Mid-Season All-Star (2012)
Major League Achievements
- National League Player of the Week (April 8–14, 2013)
- National League Pitcher of the Month (April 2013)
- All-Star selection (2013)
- National League Comeback Player of the Year (2015)
Personal Life
Harvey is a fan of the New York Rangers hockey team. He often attended their games.
During his time with the New York Mets, Harvey was known for his lifestyle. He was featured on the cover of the May 20, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated magazine. He was called "The Dark Knight of Gotham." This was a play on Batman's home city and its link to New York City. Harvey was a Batman fan. He and his teammates, fans, and the media liked the comparison. Harvey even had "Dark Knight" carved into his bats. Later, he used a special Harvey-Batman logo. Fans and media also started calling any day Harvey was scheduled to pitch "Harvey Day." Harvey said his best friend on the Mets was fellow pitcher Jacob deGrom.
