Injuries have really derailed the promising career of Matt Harvey. The guy who took New York by the horn in 2013 and harnessed it. The guy who made Mets fans see the light at the end of the tunnel in 2013. The one who got the Mets to contention in 2015. The guy who almost put himself in the history books in the 2015 World Series. So much is being made of Harvey’s career lately, but let’s talk about the one who really changed this franchise.

Harvey was called up in July of 2012 to make a start against the Diamondbacks. Harvey was viewed as some backend starting pitching prospect or maybe even a bullpen guy. He was never seen as an ace like Noah Syndergaard was. Sure enough, though, Harvey went out and pitched some amazing baseball in his first game. I still remember how awestruck I was watching Harvey. A starting pitcher throwing 97-98 MPH was rare then and here is one doing that for us. Harvey was pretty good in 2012 as he posted a 2.73 ERA (140 ERA+) in 59.1 innings with 70 strikeouts in those innings and a 3.30 FIP. As if that was not enough of a teaser for us, Harvey came out firing bullets in Spring of 2013.

He just looked so good compared to the Mike Pelfrey‘s and Dillon Gee‘s we were used to watching. And those bullets translated into some amazing results. Harvey had a 2.35 ERA in the first half of 2013 with a 2.16 FIP and a 29.3% K-rate. His second half was even better has he posted a 2.05 ERA with a 1.60 FIP and a 23.3% K-rate. I just remember how every single start for Harvey was must-watch TV. Here’s a guy who you knew would do something to wow you every single day. He was not afraid to challenge you and he was the first guy in a while to give the Mets a personality. He showed fans that he would lead them into the next era of Mets baseball.

Of course, the only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability. Harvey tore his UCL in August of 2013 and I still remember how I felt when I looked at my phone and saw the news about Harvey. I just felt so sick and so dull. This was the guy who was going to lead back to the promise land and now we have to wait another year? Would he even return to the old Harvey? I wrapped up my Harvey shirt and I promised that I would not wear until Harvey returned.

Despite being mediocre in 2014, they showed signs with the emergence of Jacob deGrom and strong performances from guys like Lucas Duda and Jeurys Familia. As if that was not enough for the fans to get excited about, Harvey was coming back. The team was almost certainly ready to make headlines in 2015.

Harvey went into the Spring of 2015 with a mission: Get the Mets back in the playoffs. His first Spring start, Harvey was throwing 98 MPH. Suddenly, fans were reminded of that amazing pitcher in 2013. Harvey made his regular season debut start against the heavily favored Washington Nationals and proceeded to strike out Bryce Harper three times en-route to a Mets win. The Mets had gone into Washington and just showed the team that was heavily favored, that they would not just hand the Nationals the division.

Harvey was amazing in 2015 and this was coming off Tommy John Surgery. Pitchers do not often just come back from Tommy John and dominate. Harvey was special. Harvey was a different animal and he showed it. He helped lead them to their first division title since 2006. We all know how 2015 ended, but we would not have even been in that game had it not been for Harvey.

From 2013-2015, Harvey had a 2.50 ERA, the third-best in Major League Baseball in that span. His 2.54 FIP was the second best in baseball in that span. Let us remember this Harvey. The one who showed us we should believe in the Mets again. The one who was the one shining star from time to time. The one who reminded us what playoff baseball looked like.

While his career as a starter is probably not over yet, it is unlikely he will ever be on the same level as 2013-2015. Harvey did so much for the Mets franchise so let us remember that, as opposed to criticizing the pitcher who has struggled with injuries the last few years.

Harvey was the pitcher the Mets had needed for years. Even though it was not as long as we hoped, Harvey was the Dark Knight and the superhero the Mets waited to see emerge from dissapointment for years.