Matt Harvey hangs up cape for good
Former New York Mets ace Matt “Dark Knight” Harvey has announced his retirement from baseball at the age of 34 as tributes and well-wishes pour in.
Veteran right hander Matt Harvey, known affectionately to Mets fans as Dark Knight, has decided to hang up his cape for good, announcing his retirement in an Instagram post.
Harvey spent nine seasons in MLB, and left with a message to the fans, writing “With all the amazing memories came a lot of injuries and tough times,” Harvey wrote. “The realization that those amazingly powerful moments that make me thrive as a pitcher and help my teammates and city win are no longer possible. Believe me I wish I could have done more and brought more of those amazing moments back to life. I have to say this is my time to say thank you, and goodbye.”
Harvey last pitched in 2021 with the Baltimore Orioles and served a 60-game suspension at the beginning of last season for violating the league’s drug policy. After his suspension, Harvey spent the remainder of the 2022 season up and down the Orioles’ minor league system.
His last hurrah came not in the show but in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he started two games as part of the Italian national team, getting one win and notching up a 1.29 ERA for the tournament.
His final numbers for his MLB career are 966.1 innings pitched, racking up 867 strikeouts for a .260 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.
Social media was awash with tributes and well-wishes for him.
Want to wish Matt Harvey the best in his retirement..Look forward to teeing it up with you man..I want to Thank You for your awesome effort in the @WBCBaseball, You’re a warrior on the bump..All the best.#Mets #WBC2023 #Italia
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) May 5, 2023
Of my lifetime, Jacob deGrom is easily the best Mets starting pitcher, but nothing will ever top how excited I got every 5 days to watch peak Matt Harvey and the charisma he had. pic.twitter.com/1I5YtbrqAv
— One Shining Mets ⭐️ (@oneshiningmets) May 5, 2023
Congrats on your retirement Matt Harvey. Harvey Days were something special. pic.twitter.com/tc30ns1gUi
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 5, 2023
Albeit a short prime, but never forget Matt Harvey's dominance. 2013 NL ASG SP, threw 9 innings of 1-hit ball, 12 Ks, nearly 10 years ago to the day. #Mets #LGM https://t.co/CyhsjZ2uEi pic.twitter.com/bRETeY2vlV
— ᴛᴏɴʏ ᴡᴜᴇɴᴄʜ (@twuench) May 5, 2023
He posted a heartfelt message to the fans on social media, writing “To the fans, most importantly the NY Mets fans: you made a dream come true for me. A dream I never could have thought to be true. Who would have thought a kid from Mystic, CT would be able to play in the greatest city in the world, his hometown. You are forever embedded in my heart. Goodbye, Baseball. And thank you.”
No, thank you Dark Knight.