Ryan would drive Mets manager Gil Hodges and pitch coach Rube Walker absolutely crazy. He threw peas…but walked so many batters…that’s probably where the expression, “Oh those bases on balls!” came from. Ryan was overlooked for the rotation in favor of guys named Don Cardwell, Jim McAndrew, and Gary Gentry…with Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman already forming a dynamic duo at the front end of the rotation. That left…wait…that’s right…the bullpen for Ryan to hone his craft. And hone it he did. The numbers he put up are simply staggering over a career that spanned over four decades. He won over 300 games, struck out over 5,700 opposing hitters, and tossed seven no-hitters, having his number retired by three different teams.

So what makes Matt Harvey so special that he can’t pitch out of the bullpen? He’s ONLY been a STARTING pitcher? Whatever happened to it being an honor just to make it to the Major Leagues? Whatever happened to it being just an honor to wear the uniform?

Enough is enough. The nonsense with the sense of entitlement has to stop. There are obviously some players that deserve to be given the benefit of the doubt…given a longer leash than others. But that privilege needs to be earned…earned with performance and with longevity.

It is obviously not unprecedented for a good pitcher to head to the bullpen for a time. Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo would be in the starting rotation for just about any other Major League team. Look at the success Gsellman and Lugo have had out of the bullpen so far this year. They seem to be thriving in the role…and it doesn’t mean they will never start another game. What makes Harvey believe that he deserves a different treatment?

I am old-school. And I love that Mickey Callaway is holding everyone…EVERYONE…accountable. You don’t do your job, you don’t perform, you are late for team meetings…you don’t play. That’s it. Stop bellyaching, stop pointing fingers, look in the mirror, and do what it takes to make yourself a better player, a better teammate, a better person.