In his column for the New York Post, Joel Sherman spoke with Mets RHP Matt Harvey and Marlins RHP Jose Fernandez about the possibility of a future rivalry between the two pitchers.
“For us, obviously, it would be big,” Harvey told Sherman. “But it would also be good for MLB.”
Sherman compares the possibility of this rivalry to the rivalry both Tom Seaver and Bob Gibson had during their careers
“I don’t remember any starts against No. 4 starters,” Seaver explained Sherman. “What you remember are the games against [Bob] Gibson.”
Seaver noted he had to be extra focused for games against Gibson, but relishes those moments in his career very much.
“When you pitched against Bob, you knew you were going to lose or win by a run, so you knew you had to be operating at no less than the 99th percentile because one pitch could really beat you,” Seaver continued. “It is a real test of what you can do. Those starts are the special little corner of your career that you share with someone else who is a master of the craft.”
First off, I love Seaver’s first quote. It speaks to the attitude and focus he was said to have during his career. It’s part of what a winning mentality is to me. I idolized him growing up despite never having seen him pitch, and I wish he was around the team more at this stage of his life.
Second, I agree with Harvey. Both of them trying to one up each other on a baseball diamond would be incredibly healthy for the sport.It would be really cool if Harvey and Fernandez could develop this rivalry and create a brand out of it for the next decade or so. They’re two really special talents, and I think could be vital for the interest of the younger fan population in the sport. They could serve as role models for those who follow them as well. The hope is they can stay/get healthy, continue to pitch at very high levels, and be at war with each other on a regular basis.
For more, check out Sherman’s column in the New York Post.
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