Just Mets

Matt Harvey will make his first start of the spring when he faces the Tigers today at Tradition Field.

Today is the day everyone has been waiting for. It’s #HarveyDay once again, albeit in a game which has no meaning in the standings. But it’s a big step and a milestone for Harvey – as Terry Collins put it earlier this week – as it’s the first time Harvey has faced an opposing team since August, 2013.

I can’t ever remember being this excited and intrigued over a spring training game.

I admit, I am a bit nervous, because this game will undoubtedly amp Harvey up and take his energy level beyond what it has been to this point in camp. There’s a part of me that worries he could get injured again, but at the same time I trust the club and his agent have been overly cautious during the rehab process over the last 18 months.

To me, today’s start is not about what he produces on the mound. He may retire all six or nine batters he faces and utterly dominate, he may get lit up for ten runs. Whatever the case is, it will be fine.

It’s more about what this start and what his presence means to the team, the league and the fans who have waited so very patiently for a star of this caliber and intrigue level to return to the game.

As I said yesterday, Harvey precisely represents the hope and future we have been waiting patiently for with this franchise. He also brings both celebrity and mystery to a team which hasn’t exactly had much star power beyond David Wright over the last few years.

It’s amazing a guy with 36 career starts and 12 big league wins can be so attractive for a brand.

Anytime it’s #HarveyDay, it’s a good day for the team and good for a league looking to attract younger fans back to the game, as Matt does that and then some…