It was clear to everyone in Buffalo that Matt Harvey needed a new challenge. The Mets made a mistake not taking the Bisons' ace as soon as the Triple-A All-Star Game ended. Why in the world did they keep foisting Miguel Batista on the world? Did special assistant J.P. Ricciardi really leave town July 16 after watching Harvey face Toledo and really say the Mets would be better off with a 41-year-old guy?
Looks pretty silly now after Harvey's incredible debut outing Thursday night in Arizona. In a 3-1 win over the Diamondbacks, Harvey pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings -- and became the first player in MLB annals since 1900 to record at least 10 strikeouts and get two hits in his debut. That's a crazy stat (Thanks, Elias Sports).
He set a Mets franchise record for most Ks in a debut. More than Seaver's previous mark of eight set against the Pirates in 1967. More than Jack Denehey's eight the same season. More than Doc Gooden. More than Jerry Koosman. No active pitcher has had more in their debut except Stephen Strasburg's 14 in 2010.
Check out the full reaction with plenty of links from ESPNNY.com.
New York Post columnist Kevin Kernan was duly impressed and got the reaction from Harvey's family in the stands.
Here's MLB.com's video review of Harvey's outing, followed by the post-game comments of manager Terry Collins, Harvey and catcher Rob Johnson on SNY. Great stuff.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
