Back in 2013, Matt Harvey was one of the most dominant pitchers in all of Major League Baseball and appeared to have a long and successful career ahead of him. Unfortunately, what followed was a career marred by injuries that kept him from reaching his fullest potential. And now, it’s finally time for him to call it a career.
On Friday, Matt Harvey officially announced his retirement from the MLB with a post on his Instagram account.
During his retirement post, Harvey recalled one specific game against the Washington Nationals early in his career when he was particularly dominant and the crowd gave him a meaningful applause.
View this post on Instagram
“That day will forever stay in my dreams. I know I pitched well and we were on our way to win, and as I’m sitting in the dugout, all I hear is the chants overtaking Citi Field,” Harvey recalled.
Harvey said he “never wanted [that moment] to end,” but now he realizes it’s time to walk away from baseball.
“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,” Harvey said. “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 richer and help my teammates and city win are no longer possible.”
It’s a major announcement from Harvey, and the baseball world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Matt Harvey on the "Harvey's Better" chants from April 19, 2013:
"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…I never wanted it to end." pic.twitter.com/Skx6wMj6HU
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 5, 2023
Matt Harvey in 2013 and 2015 was the most exciting Mets pitcher I ever saw. The combination of his stuff, emotion, and being the first glimmer of hope after a down half decade for the team combined to create something incredibly special
Best wishes to him in retirement
— Danny Abriano (@DannyAbriano) May 5, 2023
Matt Harvey has announced his retirement from baseball on Instagram:
"To the fans, most importantly the NY Mets fans: You made a dream come true for me. You are forever embedded in my heart. Goodbye, Baseball. And thank you."
(via IG/mattharvey33) pic.twitter.com/RRvSVQNcyo
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 5, 2023
Matt Harvey had some unreal moments with the Mets.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) May 5, 2023
https://twitter.com/oneshiningmets/status/1654478335047618562?s=20
Matt Harvey was the key figure in a very central era of Mets baseball that sticks out very strongly in my mind. I wish injuries hadn't robbed us of some more prime Harvey years, because his starts were about as electric as anything Citi Field ever experienced. https://t.co/aKXVhjTUbN
— Vas Drimalitis (@vasdrimalitis) May 5, 2023
It’s safe to say the baseball world will remember Harvey fondly.
