Matt Harvey retires from baseball, pens emotional message to Mets fans
Matt Harvey retired from baseball, he announced Friday morning on his Instagram. The 34-year-old was the Mets' No. 7 overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft and earned a 2013 All-Star appearance while with New York from 2012-2018. He was a key cog in the Mets' run to the 2015 World Series.
"April 19, 2013: A game I will always remember," Harvey wrote. "I haven't gone back to really feel or relive some of the highest moments pitching in the big league, especially for the New York Mets. But this particular game hits me extremely hard, making this a very difficult thing to write.
"I pitched to win. To fire up my team and more importantly, to fire up the fans in a city that I've always loved.
"It is one of those feeling you know will never go away. It's something that will last forever, and will continue to be there and provide so much excitement for everyone.
"There is nothing I loved more than getting out of a tough situation in the 7th or 8th inning, to finally let the emotions out, knowing I did absolutely everything I could to help my team win, and to give a powerful fist bump and scream!
"That day will forever stay in my dreams. I know I pitched well and we were on our way to a win, and as I'm sitting in the dugout, all I hear is the chants overtaking Citi Field.
"'Harvey's Better.'
"Even with aspirations to be great, or even the best, a moment like that hits your soul. It was a moment of success. I never wanted it to end.
"I worked extremely hard for those moments with the mindset of bringing our team to a different level. With all the amazing memories came a lot of injuries and tough times. 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 those amazing moments to life.
"I have to say this is my time to say thank you, and goodbye.
"To my family and friends: you kept me going and fighting, and gave me so much love along the way. I may not have shown my appreciation at the time, but I appreciate each and every one of you, so incredibly much.
"To all my teammates and organizations who welcomed me: I fought to win and to fight with you more than you will ever know.
"To the fans, and most importantly the NY Mets fans: You made a dream come true for me. A dream I never could have thought to be true for me. 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."
Harvey, who was also the 2015 NL Comeback Player of the Year after Tommy John surgery sidelined him for the 2014 season, went 34-35 with a 3.51 ERA in 101 regular-season games (100 starts) over 612.1 IP from 2012-17. He made four starts in eight games with the Mets in the 2018 season before his May 2018 trade to the Cincinnati Reds.
Harvey's career subsequently included stints with the Los Angeles Angels (2019), Kansas City Royals (2020) and Baltimore Orioles (2021). He most recently played for the Italy national team during the 2023 World Baseball Classic in March.
Harvey starred for the University of North Carolina from 2008-09 and is a Mystic, Conn., native. He took his talents to the Tar Heels from Robert E. Fitch Senior High School in Gorton, Conn.
