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The controversial career of the Dark Knight has, sadly, come to an end.
Did you notice that former UNC fireballer Matt Harvey has retired from baseball? He had a short, headline-filled career interrupted by injuries from which he never recovered his all-star form.
Harvey fondly remembered the April 19, 2013, game between his New York Mets and the Washington Nationals expected to be a pitchers’ duel with fellow 24-year-old phenom Stephen Strasburg. Harvey pitched seven innings, gave up only one run and struck out seven in the Mets’ 7-1 win. He loved being recognized by Mets fans who chanted, “Harvey’s better!”
After three years with the Tar Heels, Harvey was the No. 7 pick in the 2010 MLB Draft and was called up to the major leagues halfway through the 2012 season and made his debut with Mets on July 26th.
In that game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Harvey set a club rookie record with 11 strikeouts while notching his first career victory.
In his short, magical 2013 season, he earned the nickname “The Dark Knight” as the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star game. In August, he suffered a partial UCL tear that needed Tommy John surgery and never was the pitcher everyone expected due to the injury.
He returned in 2015 and was part of the Mets staff for the World Series, losing to the Kansas City Royals. He remained with the Mets until becoming a free agent in 2018, playing for several teams over the next few years, finishing with a 50-66 career record, an ERA of 4.42 with 867 strikeouts.
During his short rise to fame, Harvey made the cover of Sports Illustrated and remained in the gossip columns for dating gorgeous models with whom he was seen at New York Rangers games, cheering on his favorite NHL team.
Harvey was an ace for the Tar Heels 2008-2010, in the middle of four straight College World Series appearances. During the 2010 season, he led the team in innings pitched (96), wins (8), ERA (3.09), and strikeouts (102) while also being named to the All-ACC first team.
In 2010 at Clemson, Harvey pitched nine innings, striking out an impressive 15 batters in a 5-3 Carolina victory. He finished his UNC career with a 22-7 overall record and a 3.73 ERA.
One wonders if Harvey could have been the best pitcher to ever come out of the UNC program if not for the UCL injury followed by a bout with thoracic outlet syndrome, a compression of nerves, arteries and veins between the lower neck and armpit. It led to a dark ending for The Dark Knight.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications
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