DAVID WRIGHT 2-for-5 in defeat. (Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH — David Wright has been there. He’s been the big, young star in New York, but even he is amazed at how Matt Harvey is born for the Big Apple.
Harvey is set to take center stage Tuesday at the All-Star Game at Citi Field for the national audience, where he most certainly will start for NL manager Bruce Bochy and don’t be surprised if he pitches more than the first inning.
Then, you can be sure, Harvey will come back for the Mets on Sunday at home against the Phillies with Jeremy Hefner starting Friday and Zack Wheeler going Saturday.
The incredible will to win is evident every time Harvey takes the mound, but there is much more to Harvey than the naked eye sees or naked body shows.
“Matt understands the bigger, broader picture,’’ Wright told The Post last night, yet another night when the Mets received great starting pitching from Hefner but could not find enough offense, losing to the Pirates 3-2 in 11 innings at PNC Park. “He doesn’t just want to be the one-hit wonder. He’s got bigger aspirations and bigger dreams than starting and pitching in one All-Star Game.
“The way he puts in his work; the type of perfectionist that he is, it works out perfectly for the market that he is in,’’ noted Wright, 30, who knows this market. “It’s like he craves the spotlight. Instead of some people shying away from it, he welcomes it, he embraces it and almost needs that big stage.’’
Wright enjoys the same big stage, but is different. He said his words should be taken as a compliment for the way Harvey approaches the game and the way he understand the unique spotlight that shines only in New York.
New York is already Matt Harvey’s town. When he makes his next start for the Mets next Sunday that will be only his 30th major league start.
Harvey has already been on the cover of Sports Illustrated and, of course, is featured in The Body Issue of ESPN the Magazine.
Wright laughed and said, “I didn’t take my clothes off for a magazine. That’s his personality where he relishes the New York spotlight. That might sound somewhat negative, but it’s the opposite. In New York you have to want that type of attention and you have to kind of crave it and he does. I think that’s why he has excelled the way he has and that’s why I think he is going to be built for success, especially in a big city.
“He cherishes it.’’
Just as Joe Namath cherished his unique Broadway Joe image, Harvey is building his own brand of New York star power.
“He’s 24 and he’s a mature 24,’’ Wright said.
As Wright talked, Harvey moved in and out of the clubhouse, his blue shirt covered in sweat from a bullpen session. Harvey only came in to change his shoes and then went immediately to the weight room.
“I’ve got to get my workout,’’ Harvey said.
Terry Collins marveled, “I’ve never seen anyone like him.’’
Collins mentioned even Harvey’s blisters heal quickly because the right-hander works so diligently with the team’s trainers.
Harvey has thrown 130 innings already and has about 14 more starts for this season, according to the Mets’ master plan. The bottom line is the Mets will not put too many innings on Harvey and that is the correct decision.
“We want him right for 2014 and beyond,’’ Collins said. “He’s got that old-school mentality. He’s special.’’
As for Harvey not starting today’s game, that’s all part of the plan because the Mets just don’t want to overwork the young arm. This is a good time for the 40-49 Mets to give Harvey some down time. Harvey, of course, is not thrilled with that decision, but it is the best decision for the long haul, and makes him ready for the national spotlight on Tuesday when baseball’s best and brightest come to Citi Field.
That is where Matt Harvey belongs. Let that spotlight shine.