One of the longest, most grueling journeys a professional athlete can take head on is one that deals with coming back from major surgery. In Baseball, the dreaded Tommy John surgery fits that bill perfectly, and New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey looks to finally be back.
Today, ESPN New York's Adam Rubin spoke about how much buzz surrounded Harvey's first time facing live batters since Tommy John surgery cut his 2013 season short. The excitement and positive feeling surrounding Harvey and the club in Port St. Lucie right now is overwhelming.
Harvey himself agrees.
"It was awesome," Harvey said. "Obviously throwing a bullpen on the '10-pack' with nine other guys is a different feeling than facing basically our 'Core Four,' or whatever you call it. You step in the box and you have David in there, it's a good feeling to have that and be back. I couldn't feel better. It was a good day."
Obviously the Mets 25-year old ace has been throwing, but going up against a batter is entirely different ball game.
"The biggest thing today is getting used to having somebody in there and getting that feel of somebody standing in the box. Obviously them not swinging, you don't quite get all the feel of what you need to work on or exactly what is working at the time and what isn't."
Harvey worked his Spring Training day into two-separate 20-pitch simulated innings.
For the organization, they couldn't be happier to see their man back on the mound. With the emergence of NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom last season, and with Zack Wheeler and Jon Neise filling out a solid three and four spot in the rotation, New York has arguably the best staff in baseball.
2015 brings an odd feeling for New Yorkers. With the departure of New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter and his former team's inability to stay healthy, the Mets have a fantastic opportunity to take control of the baseball crazed town.
In 2013 Harvey marveled the big leagues with a 2.27 earned run average and 191 strikeouts in just 178.1 innings, via Baseball Reference.
Who knows, maybe Matt Harvey is the next face of New York baseball - a role which has been left vacant thanks to the departing Jeter.
Screenshot Courtesy of YouTube, via Primetime Goody
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