Fansided

10 storylines entering Spring Training

By Jeff Weisinger

Feb 19, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an official MLB baseball on the field during San Francisco Giants spring training workouts at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an official MLB baseball on the field during San Francisco Giants spring training workouts at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 25, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets injured starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) throws a session in the outfield before a game against the Oakland Athletics at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets injured starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) throws a session in the outfield before a game against the Oakland Athletics at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The Dark Knight Returns…. In Flushing

With Derek Jeter retired and Alex Rodriguez being, well, A-Rod, Mets ace Matt Harvey pretty much is the new face of New York baseball.

Congrats Mets and Mets fans, the spotlight in the Big Apple is, for once, on you.

The only question is, can Matt Harvey’s elbow survive the pressure that comes with being the face of anything big in New York City.

The funny thing behind this is that Harvey takes center stage in Flushing without really winning anything, let alone spending just two seasons in the bigs with the Mets.  That is something the Mets hope to change in 2015 with a rotation that could surprise everyone in the NL East as Harvey returns with the NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom leading the way on the mound.

The last time Harvey pitched in 2013, he went 9-5 in 26 starts, notching his first All-Star nod (which, of course was at Citi Field) with a 2.27 ERA and 191 strikeouts before having to undergo elbow surgery late in the season.

The Mets will have to be smart in controlling Harvey on the mound and off of it.  Becoming the face of a New York sports team, let alone the face of an entire sport in New York includes a lot of Harvey making appearances at various places throughout the city and controlling his independent soul-like personality.

If Harvey really wants to be successful here, he should take a look at how the last face of baseball in New York went about his business.  It would save him a lot of trouble down the road.

Next: One expensive season

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