Former New York Mets Ace Matt Harvey Announces Retirement
Former New York Mets ace Matt Harvey announced his retirement on Friday morning. He put the message out on Instagram:
Mets reporter Anthony DiComo had the Tweet and put out part of Harvey's message:
"News: Matt Harvey has announced his retirement after nine MLB seasons. He last appeared in the big leagues in 2021, and on a mound for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. "I have to say this is my time to say thank you, and goodbye," Harvey wrote on Instagram."
Harvey retires after spending nine years in the majors. At his peak, he was one of the most electric pitchers in baseball and one of the most electric pitchers to watch. Mets fans termed the day of his starts as "Happy Harvey Day."
He made his major league debut in 2012, going 3-5 for the Mets with a 2.73 ERA. He made the all-star team in 2013, finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young race. He had a 2.27 ERA. All in all, he spent parts of seven years in the Mets organization, helping New York reach the World Series in 2015.
He then moved onto play for the Reds (2018), Angels (2019), Royals (2020) and Orioles (2021).
As DiComo referenced, he pitched for Team Italy in this years World Baseball Classic as well.
Unfortunately, injuries became part of the story for Harvey in his career and contributed to his lack of sustained success and early retirement at the age of 34.
He missed all of 2014 with Tommy John surgery and also suffered from thoracic outlet syndrome and had a stress fracture in his scapula.
He retires with a career record of 50-66 and a 4.42 ERA.
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