These days Matt Harvey isn’t the Dark Knight, he’s just Matt Harvey, pitcher for the New York Mets.
Harvey’s no longer the superstar taking New York City by storm, he’s now just a pitcher taking the field every five days.
It’s not the 2013 All-Star Harvey, and it’s not even the 2015 National League Comeback Player of the Year.
The blazing fastball, hitting 98 mph on the radar gun, that Matt Harvey is no longer in the building. The growing reality is we may never see that Harvey again.
Adversity impacts us all in different ways. For Harvey, overcoming his adversity has become the biggest challenge of his professional career.
In three starts since returning from the disabled list with a stress injury to his right scapula, Harvey has posted a 1-2 record with an alarming 12.19 ERA. His struggles have escalated since missing the second half of last year due to surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.
But it was Harvey’s comments after his most recent start which may have provided the clearest case of someone struggling to regain the success he once had.
In 3 1/3 innings of work, Harvey gave up five runs and loaded the bases three times. The Mets lost the game to the Cubs, 17-5, at Wrigley Field.
“It’s kind of hard to take any positives out of the last two years,” Harvey said. “I am extremely frustrated. It’s hard going out there and not doing what I can to help this team win and it’s extremely frustrating.
“There is a lot of work going in that is not paying off, and it’s becoming very frustrating for me, but there is still three starts to go and you have to do everything you can to go out there to just be better.”
Awareness
Harvey’s frustration is clear and his concern is justified. The results have not been there for him, this despite all the hard work he’s put in behind the scenes.
I covered one of Harvey’s rehab starts this summer for the Mets short-season Single-A affiliate, the Brooklyn Cyclones. Afterwards, Harvey expressed excitement for getting back to the Mets in time to finish the season. But his comments also displayed an awareness of the process he’s going through.
I came away from that game thinking Harvey’s starting to get it now. He’s 28 years old and these last two years have clearly humbled him.
You can click here to read my article on Harvey, for NY Sports Day.
Harvey is at a career crossroads.
Early success can have us feeling like a superhero, or in Harvey’s case Batman. We feel invincible. Then, like a thief in the night, we’re reminded it’s never that easy.Having an awareness of your situation is always the first step to correcting what's gone wrong. Click To Tweet
Willingness to Evolve
Once we’re aware of our situation, there’s an evolution phase we’re confronted with.
Michael Jordan didn’t come into the NBA known for his jump shot, he developed it as he grew older. Muhammad Ali was known for his footwork and hand speed, as much he was for his ability to talk you into the arena. But it was the rope-a-dope strategy he employed against a stronger George Foreman which displayed his willingness to evolve.
The ability to throw a blazing fastball can give you early success in Major League Baseball. But it’s more than just having a fastball, it’s knowing when to throw it.
In three starts since coming back from the disabled list, Harvey has struggled early, largely due to his working deep counts and throwing too many pitches. That’s an indication of someone still trying to beat you with only a fastball in their arsenal.
The moment Harvey finds a healthy balance between his power pitches and off-speed stuff, the chances of pitching deeper into ballgames can increase.
Harvey won’t successfully throw 95 to 98 mph throughout a ballgame and come away healthy. He’s no longer that person.
Evolution, however, doesn’t happen overnight.
Harvey’s Gotta Have Faith
Having patience is one thing. But having faith in what you’re being patient for is an entirely different ballgame.
Quite simply put, to achieve our goals requires faith in our own abilities to meet them. If we don’t believe in ourselves then what’s the point of even doing it.
Harvey’s not only looking to regain success on the field, he’s facing the challenge of having to evolve his overall game in order to do it. The critics and doubters will only grow with every setback.
The Mets are also looking to see if Harvey has what it takes to get through these tough times. They have a decision to make on Harvey’s long-term future with the team. He’s one year away from free agency, his value is arguably at the lowest it’s ever been.
How far Harvey goes from here remains to be seen, his faith in himself to see it through will go a long way towards his future with the Mets.
If Matt Harvey is to overcome this latest bout with adversity then implementing awareness, a willingness to involve, and maintaining faith in himself are all key components.
The Dark Knight may rise again one day smarter, stronger and fully evolved.
