IT’S HARVEY DAY AGAIN
BUT DARK KNIGHT WON’T PITCH IN RETURN TO CITI TONIGHT
It will be a Harvey Day unlike any other.
Matt Harvey, traded in May, is scheduled to make his return to Citi Field on Monday when the Mets start a series with the Reds. Harvey is not scheduled to pitch in the series, but former teammates, casual observers and even disinterested parties wonder what sort of reception he will receive.
“I’m sure it will be mixed,’’ said the Mets’ Michael Conforto.
“For us, it’s going to be good to see him in person. I can’t speak for the fans, but I hope it’s good. It should be, because he gave a lot to this organization.”
Said Mets pitcher Seth Lugo: “I really don’t know. I’m pretty curious, too.”
Manager Mickey Callaway thinks, “it’s going to be a nice kind of warm welcome for him.’’
“He did a lot of great things in this city,” Callaway said. “I remember fans stopping me, ‘Oh, why’d you trade him, why’d you get rid of Matt?’ ” Pull up a chair. Harvey, who is scheduled to the meet the New York media before Monday’s game, unhappily was demoted to the bullpen this season as he struggled to regain his Dark Knight form following a long injury history.
There were other issues, as well, such as his AWOL stunt when he missed a game that led to a teammandated suspension last year. Earlier this season, he attended a late-night restaurant opening in Los Angeles the night before a game in San Diego. That was treated publicly like the Brink’s Heist.
Following his bullpen demotion and struggles, he was designated for assignment, then traded three days later, May 8, for catcher Devin Mesoraco.
“Me and Matt were in the same draft class out of high school and I caught him a couple times in different showcases with both of us from the northeast,’’ Mesoraco said.
“Once we got to the big leagues, we haven’t talked a lot, but I caught him in the Futures Game, so we certainly have a connection.
“He’s not pitching [in this series], but I’m sure he’ll have to answer a lot of questions. Matt was one of the best in the game, but injuries kind of derailed him, but he’s pitching well.”
The Mets want to remember the good times Monday and plan a video tribute to the guy who started the 2013 All-Star Game and was the 2015 Comeback Player of the Year following Tommy John surgery and a 13-8 season. As a Met, Harvey was 34-37 with a 3.66 ERA.
“He’s still a good friend of mine,” catcher Kevin Plawecki said. “I’d like to think the fans will treat him with respect and give him a nice round of applause. Obviously some ups and downs throughout his career here, but more ups, I think, than downs, and that’s worth cheering for.”
Lugo cited his former teammate’s competitive nature.
“A competitor-type guy, maybe not wellliked by everybody [outside the clubhouse], but that was his attitude, what helped him have succ e s s ,” Lu go said. “I know he’s done a lot for the Mets. I would hope for a warm welcome from fans.”
Callaway summed up Harvey as “a great guy” to work with.
“He was just a guy that was a normal guy that wanted to go out there and play baseball. He’s a baseball rat. He loves the game,” Callaway said.