Matt Harvey talked with his manager and addressed his teammates Tuesday afternoon at Citi Field and for the moment all is quiet and calm in this latest round of turmoil that surrounds the New York Mets.
So what was the result of Harvey apologies and where do we go from here? Harvey said he was focused when he addressed the media prior to manager Terry Collins doing the same. There was that apology from Harvey and one look showed a troubled athlete that admitted his fault.
That fault from any athlete, and more so in New York does deserve a second chance and when Collins was asked if Harvey had an addiction to alcohol, he got around the question. Leave that for another time and it is obvious everyone wants to get back to the business of playing baseball.
“He has a support group and people in his corner,” Collins said. He admitted this was a wake up call for Matt Harvcy and everybody deserves that second chance. Obvious the manager handled this right again and in the Mets clubhouse there is support for their teammate who was in the bullpen with pitching coach Dan Warthen and preparing for his next start Friday evening in Milwaukee.
“Matt said what he had to do today and now he has to go out there and perform,” Collins said. Indeed, perform, because a healthy and focused Matt Harvey is what the Mets need on the mound regardless of how long he remains in New York.
And the support for Harvey went beyond the Mets clubhouse. Collins said, Bartolo Colon sent a text message to Harvey earlier in the day.
“He got a text from Bartolo that was supportive and challenging,” Collins said, adding “He’s a special guy.” Colon and the Atlanta Braves open a two game series tonight against the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
NY Sportsday reached out to a close friend of Colon regarding more specifics about the text message and was awaiting a response.
Collins did say again, Matt Harvey is respected in the clubhouse. Overall the manager addressed the issue and was very supportive and sensitive to the well being of Harvey. During his tenure as Mets manager the handling of matters behind closed doors and doing it properly has been a strength for Terry Collins.
And that was no different Tuesday afternoon before the Mets prepared to take on the San Francisco Giants in the second game of three at Citi Field. For the moment this latest chapter with Matt Harvey is over and more important the focus will be on the mound Friday.
Comment Rich Mancuso: [email protected] Twitter@Ring786 Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso