PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- In the Major League Baseball-sponsored "Face of MLB" contest, David Wright finished first during last year's spring training, then as the runner-up to San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey last month. These days, however, baseball's only active captain might not even be the true face of the New York Mets.
Matt Harvey was on a trajectory to take over that mantle in 2013, when he stormed out of the gate and eventually started the All-Star Game at Citi Field over Clayton Kershaw. The ascendance got sidetracked by a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and eventually Tommy John surgery that prompted Harvey to miss all of last season.
If spring training is any indication, though, Harvey is poised to continue the takeover. He has tossed 9 2/3 straight scoreless innings, against the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.
And with Derek Jeter having retired and with the Yankees aging, Harvey might not just settle for being the face of the Mets. He arguably will become the face of all of baseball in New York.
Harvey's social activity and willingness to embrace the spotlight give him somewhat of a Joe Namath persona. That, coupled with dominance on the mound like 2013, should make Harvey the most visible athlete who performs during the summer in New York.
