Amazin’ pitching phenom Matt Harvey took a swing at some questions from Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: Are you driven to be great?
A: Absolutely. I don’t accept mediocrity. I don’t want to be OK. I don’t want to be just another guy. I want to be up there with the greats. That’s my winning edge, and the way I always want to be. … Winning is what I want to do. If I’m the best and we’re not winning, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
Q: What’s it like being Matt Harvey these days?
A: It’s kinda cool getting recognized places. At the same time, I know with all this stuff coming in and opportunities arising, all that won’t happen if I don’t perform baseball-wise. I like to have my personal life, but for right now and for the most part, the season’s on my mind, the All-Star game’s on my mind, and winning’s on my mind.
Q: What kind of things do you hear from fans?
A: Recently it was about the perfect game opportunity the other day: “Thought you were gonna get it, thought you were gonna have it.” That’s always nice to hear. It’s not too crazy.
Q: What did your sister and brother-in-law tell you they noticed following you on the street one night?
A: “About five or six people gave you a second look and ended up turning around and trying to figure out who you were.”
Q: What’s it like being one of New York’s most eligible bachelors?
A: (Laugh). It’s a little bit tough with our season, we’re on the road a lot. … It’s not bad, though. Definitely not bad. I’m definitely still a bachelor.
Q: Have you gotten a lot of marriage proposals in the mail?
A: I’ve actually gotten really, really behind. I’ve seen a few on Twitter, that’s for sure.
Q: Why did you decide to live in Manhattan’s East Village?
A: Growing up in Connecticut, it’s a place I’ve always wanted to live for a period of time in my life. I always wanted to learn about it. It’s one of the better decisions I’ve made in my young career.
Q: Why is that?
A: I’ve always felt comfortable in New York. I’ve never been overwhelmed with the amount of people, or the traffic. I obviously honk my horn every once in a while. . .none of that stuff really bothers me. It gives me that energy.
Q: Can you imagine how neat it would be to rule New York?
A: I’m going through the tunnel here, so if I lose you, I might have to call you back.
Q: (Two minutes later) Can you imagine how neat it would be to rule New York?
A: I was a Yankee fan growing up. In my mind, somebody who ruled New York was Derek Jeter. You saw him everywhere, you heard about him everywhere. Everybody wanted to be like Derek Jeter. He never gets in trouble. He’s never doing anything wrong off the field. He’s just a true professional in everything he does. For me, he has [ruled New York]. The legacy Derek Jeter has left in New York is what I strive for and what I try to accomplish.
Q: You’ve already drawn comparisons to Justin Verlander.
A: Obviously, I haven’t watched Verlander extremely much … same kind of body type … we’re both tall. … Anytime you can throw 93, 94, 95 and all of a sudden ramp up to 98, 99 are why people are making those comparisons. I hope I can live up to those standards. It’s definitely an honor. What he’s done is absolutely incredible.
Q: Another comparison: Tom Seaver. Have you watched clips of him?
A: No, I have not. I need to though. That’s what a lot of people are saying. I’ve met him a few times.
Q: Who else do you like watching?
A: I’ve always really liked watching [Josh] Beckett, the way that he threw. He’s got that real laid-back approach. He never really shows the emotion. You watch [Clayton] Kershaw, the way he dices the hitters up and runs through lineups pretty nicely.
Q: Describe the feeling on the mound when you’re dominating hitters.
A: It’s definitely fun. But it feels like power — when I know I’ve got two strikes and can run one up there 98, 99 — and the crowd here has been great for me. To know they’re getting up out of their seats, that’s more fuel to the fire. The electricity I’m getting through them is definitely helping me out.
Q: How often do you speak with former pitcher Don Carman?
A: Once or twice in between starts. If anything’s going on, I’ll talk to him periodically a couple of times a week. He just brings back the basics to me. He’s got that real calm, real chill, laid-back kinda attitude. Talking to him is real easy, real nice. Then he starts getting fired up (chuckle).
Q: He’s your pitching psychologist.
A: Yeah, he’s like a sports psychologist. He works for [agent Scott] Boras.
Q: Other than Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen, who else has been a big influence?
A: [Former pitcher] Bill Caudill. He knows my mechanics, what’s going on when things go wrong.
Q: Can you give me an example of your competitiveness from your childhood?
A: I’ve always been like that. I don’t know if it’s from my dad, or just in my blood, or whatnot. No matter what it was — board games, cards, roller hockey, pickup basketball games — it was established in me that nothing ever was going to be given to me. It was always, “Go out and get it.” That was the motto in my household.
Q: How high is Zack Wheeler’s ceiling?
A: It’s pretty incredible. He’s got that electric arm, that electric stuff. If he has the kind of mentality I have once you get here — now it’s time to get going. He could take off.
Q: What is that mentality?
A: Coming up and playing at different levels, it was always, “What do I have to do to get there?” Now it’s Go Time. Now it’s time to get guys out.
Q: Do you have an arrogance on the mound?
A: I definitely don’t think I [stink]or anything like that. I’m not a cocky person. I don’t like blowing smoke up my own [butt]. I definitely feel I can get anybody out anytime when I’m out there. That’s how you have to be.
Q: Do you study hitters?
A: Not overly aggressively. I’ll go over each guy once or twice. I don’t like overthinking things too much.
Q: Did you watch your near perfect game when you got home that night?
A: I think I saw it on “SportsCenter” once or twice. I relaxed on the couch, kinda kept playing that one infield hit over in my head a little bit. I was pretty wiped out after that.
Q: It’s safe to say you’re a perfectionist?
A: (Laugh) Yeah, yeah. That’s a safe bet.
Q: What one pitch has made the biggest difference for you since last season?
A: The slider. That’s definitely a pitch I feel like I can use right now in any count to a righty or lefty.
Q: What does Mother’s Day mean to you?
A: It means everything. I basically have three moms. I’m the youngest by nine and 11 years with two sisters. They mean the world to me. I couldn’t do anything without them. Anytime I meet a girl now, they can always tell I have sisters, so that’s kinda nice.
Q: Describe your mom.
A: She’s a little Italian lady, she’s got the biggest heart. It seems like she’s always going one step further. She very rarely does anything for herself.
Q: Favorite NYC restauarants?
A: Dell’amina, Quality Meats, La Esquina.
Q: What were your feelings of the Newtown, Conn., school shootings?
A: It’s absolutely tragic. My mom’s a second grade teacher. Obviously that thought came into my head when something like that happens, especially in Connecticut. I was definitely scared for everybody
Q: The Boston Marathon bombings?
A: I’m speechless. A lot of anger, a lot of questions, I guess of, why someone would do something like that arose in our locker room. What New York did, with all the “I Heart Boston,” and “Bostonstrong” and everything everybody did was amazing to see.
Q: How would a gay player be received in a baseball locker room?
A: If you’re a person, you’re a person. If you’re a baseball player, you’re a baseball player. Your views in the way of life you portray, that has no affect on me. I do not care. It’s 2013. I believe you live your life.
Q: You’re a New York Rangers fan.
A: Overtime losses are killing them right now.
Q: You still believe in Blue?
A: I do, I do.
Q: You’ve always been a Rangers fan?
A: I’ve always loved hockey. I’m a huge fan of athletes in other sports and in becoming friends with different athletes. I grew up a Ranger fan and I’ve become friends with Henrik Lundqvist and Brian Boyle. Once I became friends with those guys and moved into the city, it really took off.
Q: How did you become friends with Henrik?
A: One of the companies I hired, one of the marketing guys, he ended up coming to New York last year when I got called up. That company has a lot of hockey guys. He introduced me to a couple of guys who played hockey at Boston College who work in the city now and live there. We went out to dinner one night [Willow Road] and all of a sudden he goes, “I think Henrik’s gonna come.” I said, “You’re not talking about Henrik Lundqvist?” He said, “Yeah, we hang out with him.” I’m thinking, “I’m about to have dinner with the star goalie of the Rangers,” you know? I was starstruck at that moment.
Q: Did you play hockey?
A: I did the roller hockey. My cousin lives up in Burlington, Vt. We always did the fill-up-the-rink-with-water-and-skate on the backyard.
Q: Rangers in 7?
A: I think so. I think they’ll tie it up and they’ll squeeze it out down there.