Matt Harvey does not want the night to forever be remember as the game he plunked Robinson Cano, permanently etching his name on Yankees fans’ hate list.
His first All-Star Game — his first start — was so much more.
“It was so much fun. Just being in the locker room with all the guys, the whole experience, the Red Carpet. It being in New York, and starting,” said Harvey, who threw two scoreless innings for the NL in their 3-0 loss to the AL. “As a kid, I don’t think you could have dreamed of doing something like that. It was a tremendous honor, and something I’m very thankful for.”
Harvey looked like a rookie with his first two batters. His first pitch was lined for a right-field double by Mike Trout. He hit Cano two pitches later, but rebounded to retire in order three of the game’s most dangerous hitters — Miguel Cabrera, Chris Davis and Jose Bautista. Harvey then worked a perfect second.
Then Harvey’s night was over.
“I’m used to walking off in the second inning and going back out there, so I didn’t really pay attention to it,” he said. “I wish I had kind of stayed in the moment a little bit and gave a head”‘nod or whatnot. But the thanks [were] there, and they have been great all year, the fans. I’m very thankful.”
And that is what Harvey hopes to remember.