Jon Matlack
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Trumpbour Matlack (born January 19, 1950 in West Chester, Pennsylvania
) is an American
former Major League Baseball
left-handed
pitcher
. He was selected with fourth overall by the New York Mets
in the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft
.
s and a 3.03 earned run average
as one of the "Big Three" pitchers the New York Mets were built around in the s, along with Tom Seaver
and Jerry Koosman
. Unfortunately, the Mets were also a light hitting team at the time, and his 82-81 record is not nearly indicative of how well he pitched for the club.
. During his fifth season in the Mets' farm system, Matlack debuted with the Mets in the second game of a July 11, double header
with the Cincinnati Reds
. He pitched seven innings, and left the game with a 3-2 lead, however, Tug McGraw
and Tom Seaver
were unable to close the game. For the season, Matlack went 0-3 with a 4.14 ERA in seven appearances (six starts). His finest pitching performance was his last, when he gave up just one run
in eight innings of work against the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
Matlack made the team out of Spring training
, and got off to a 6-0 start with a 1.95 ERA in the first two months of the season. He ended the season with a 15-10 record and 2.32 ERA to win the National League Rookie of the Year award. On September 30, he gave up Roberto Clemente
's 3000th, and final, career hit
.
On May 8, 1973, Matlack was struck by a line drive off the bat of Marty Perez
of the Atlanta Braves
, which hit his head so hard that the ball rebounded into the dugout. Matlack suffered a hairline fracture of his skull, but recovered quickly enough to return and pitch six shutout innings at Pittsburgh on May 19. He ended up winning 14 games for the division champion Mets.
crown. Perhaps his most memorable moment with the Mets occurred on October 7, 1973 when he held the "Big Red Machine" to just two hits in game two of the 1973 National League Championship Series
. Both hits were by reserve outfielder Andy Kosco
.
He was equally impressive in the 1973 World Series
, giving up just three hits in six innings in game one of the World Series
, however, the Oakland A's scored two runs on a Felix Millan
error
in the third, and held on for the 2-1 victory. He won game four, giving up just one run in eight innings. However, he lost the seventh and decisive game of the series 5-2; in the third inning of that game, he gave up two-run home runs to both Bert Campaneris
and Reggie Jackson
—the only two home runs Oakland would hit the entire Series.
for the Mets for the next three seasons, sharing MVP honors in the game with Bill Madlock
. In , Matlack went 17-10 with a 2.95 and a league leading six shut out
s to finish sixth in N.L. Cy Young Award
balloting.
In , Matlack's record dipped to 7-15 with a 4.21 earned run average (he had entered the season with a career ERA of 2.88) for a Mets team that lost 98 games and finished last in the N.L. East. Following the season, Matlack was included in an unusual four team off-season trade that sent him to the Texas Rangers
. The Rangers sent Adrian Devine
, Tommy Boggs
, and Eddie Miller
to the Atlanta Braves
, a player to be named later and Tom Grieve
to the Mets and Bert Blyleven
to the Pittsburgh Pirates
. The Mets received Willie Montañez
from the Braves, and sent John Milner
to the Pirates. The Pirates sent Al Oliver
and Nelson Norman
to the Rangers. The Rangers later sent Ken Henderson
(March 15) to the Mets to complete the trade.
) and earned his first career save his first season in Texas
, however elbow surgery limited him to just thirteen starts in . He rebounded to make 34 starts in , one of which was on August 19, when he held George Brett
, who was batting over .400, hitless, ending his thirty game hitting streak
.
' Arizona League
affiliate. He also coached in the Chicago White Sox
organization before he was hired as the Detroit Tigers
' major league pitching coach in . He is currently the minor-league pitching coordinator for the Tigers.
West Chester, Pennsylvania
The Borough of West Chester is the county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,461 at the 2010 census.Valley Forge, the Brandywine Battlefield, Longwood Gardens, Marsh Creek State Park, and other historical attractions are near West Chester...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He was selected with fourth overall by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft
1967 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1967 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The June draft was filled with talented prospects who would go on to pro careers...
.
New York Mets
Matlack compiled 1,023 strikeoutStrikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 3.03 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
as one of the "Big Three" pitchers the New York Mets were built around in the s, along with Tom Seaver
Tom Seaver
George Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
and Jerry Koosman
Jerry Koosman
Jerome Martin Koosman is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies between 1967 and 1985...
. Unfortunately, the Mets were also a light hitting team at the time, and his 82-81 record is not nearly indicative of how well he pitched for the club.
Rookie of the Year
Matlack's best minor league season was , when he went 13-6 with a 2.76 ERA for the Raleigh-Durham Mets of the Carolina LeagueCarolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. During his fifth season in the Mets' farm system, Matlack debuted with the Mets in the second game of a July 11, double header
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He pitched seven innings, and left the game with a 3-2 lead, however, Tug McGraw
Tug McGraw
Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw Jr. was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher and the father of Country music singer Tim McGraw and actor/TV personality Mark McGraw and Cari McGraw...
and Tom Seaver
Tom Seaver
George Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
were unable to close the game. For the season, Matlack went 0-3 with a 4.14 ERA in seven appearances (six starts). His finest pitching performance was his last, when he gave up just one run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
in eight innings of work against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.
Matlack made the team out of Spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, and got off to a 6-0 start with a 1.95 ERA in the first two months of the season. He ended the season with a 15-10 record and 2.32 ERA to win the National League Rookie of the Year award. On September 30, he gave up Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
's 3000th, and final, career hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
.
On May 8, 1973, Matlack was struck by a line drive off the bat of Marty Perez
Marty Perez
Martin Roman Perez Jr. was a shortstop and second baseman for the California Angels , Atlanta Braves , San Francisco Giants , New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics ....
of the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, which hit his head so hard that the ball rebounded into the dugout. Matlack suffered a hairline fracture of his skull, but recovered quickly enough to return and pitch six shutout innings at Pittsburgh on May 19. He ended up winning 14 games for the division champion Mets.
1973 NLCS
Matlack's record dipped to 14-16 in , however, he was 5-1 from August 18 on, helping the Mets capture the National League EastNational League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
crown. Perhaps his most memorable moment with the Mets occurred on October 7, 1973 when he held the "Big Red Machine" to just two hits in game two of the 1973 National League Championship Series
1973 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 6, 1973 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioThe starting pitchers, New York's Tom Seaver and Cincinnati's Jack Billingham, produced a classic pitcher's duel in Game 1. The Mets threatened in the first, loading the bases with one out, but Cleon Jones grounded into a...
. Both hits were by reserve outfielder Andy Kosco
Andy Kosco
Andy Kosco is a former Major League Baseball player who was affiliated at various times with the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds....
.
He was equally impressive in the 1973 World Series
1973 World Series
The 1973 World Series matched the defending champion Oakland Athletics against the New York Mets, with the A's winning in seven games to repeat as World Champions....
, giving up just three hits in six innings in game one of the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, however, the Oakland A's scored two runs on a Felix Millan
Félix Millán
Félix Bernardo Millán Martínez is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:Millán, nicknamed "The Kitten" , born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, made his major league debut on June 2, 1966 with the Atlanta Braves, and played for Atlanta until 1973. Millan was primarily a second...
error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in the third, and held on for the 2-1 victory. He won game four, giving up just one run in eight innings. However, he lost the seventh and decisive game of the series 5-2; in the third inning of that game, he gave up two-run home runs to both Bert Campaneris
Bert Campaneris
Dagoberto Campaneris Blanco , nicknamed "Campy", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for four American League teams, primarily the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics...
and Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
—the only two home runs Oakland would hit the entire Series.
All-Star
Matlack was an All-StarMajor League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
for the Mets for the next three seasons, sharing MVP honors in the game with Bill Madlock
Bill Madlock
Bill "Mad Dog" Madlock, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1973 to 1987, Madlock was a right-handed hitter who won several National League batting titles. His record of four batting titles as a third baseman would be eclipsed in 1988 by Wade Boggs. Since 1970, only Tony Gwynn has...
. In , Matlack went 17-10 with a 2.95 and a league leading six shut out
Shut Out
"Shut Out" is a single from the Paul Jabara album of the same name and features special guest vocals by Donna Summer. On the album, it is used as the first half of a medley another with another song called "Heaven is a Disco."...
s to finish sixth in N.L. Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
balloting.
In , Matlack's record dipped to 7-15 with a 4.21 earned run average (he had entered the season with a career ERA of 2.88) for a Mets team that lost 98 games and finished last in the N.L. East. Following the season, Matlack was included in an unusual four team off-season trade that sent him to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. The Rangers sent Adrian Devine
Adrian Devine
Paul Adrian Devine was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1973 to 1980 for the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers. Devine primarily pitched in relief and had his best season in 1977 with the Rangers when he posted a win-loss record of 11–6 with 15 saves. He and his wife breed Cavalier King...
, Tommy Boggs
Tommy Boggs
Thomas Winton Boggs is a former professional baseball pitcher. Boggs pitched in all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball between 1976 and 1985....
, and Eddie Miller
Eddie Miller (outfielder)
Edward Lee Miller , is a retired Major League Baseball player who played outfielder from - for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and San Diego Padres. Miller's only major league home run came in his last career at bat.-External links:...
to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, a player to be named later and Tom Grieve
Tom Grieve
Thomas Alan Grieve was a Major League Baseball player from 1970-1979 for the Washington Senators, Texas Rangers, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals...
to the Mets and Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. The Mets received Willie Montañez
Willie Montañez
Guillermo Montañez Naranjo is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Even though he was productive, Montañez often carried the label "hot dog" for the whimsical manner in which he approached the game. After hitting home runs, he would trot very slowly around the bases, shuffling his feet on...
from the Braves, and sent John Milner
John Milner
John David Milner was an American first baseman and left fielder in Major League Baseball. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up a huge Hank Aaron fan, even appropriating his idol's nickname, "The Hammer." He was a member of the "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates team that won the World Series...
to the Pirates. The Pirates sent Al Oliver
Al Oliver
Albert Oliver, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. Over the course of his 18-year career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , Montreal Expos , San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays...
and Nelson Norman
Nelson Norman
Nelson Augusto Norman is a former Major League Baseball shortstop, minor league coach and manager. He played all or part of six seasons in the major leagues between and .- Pittsburgh Pirates :...
to the Rangers. The Rangers later sent Ken Henderson
Ken Henderson
Kenneth Joseph Henderson was an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants , Chicago White Sox , Atlanta Braves , Texas Rangers , New York Mets , Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs .He helped the Giants to win the National League Western Division in 1971 and the Reds to win the NL West in...
(March 15) to the Mets to complete the trade.
Texas Rangers
Matlack went 15-13 with a 2.27 ERA (second to Ron GuidryRon Guidry
Ronald Ames Guidry , nicknamed "Louisiana Lightning" and "Gator", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
) and earned his first career save his first season in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, however elbow surgery limited him to just thirteen starts in . He rebounded to make 34 starts in , one of which was on August 19, when he held George Brett
George Brett (baseball)
George Howard Brett , nicknamed "Mullet", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 15th...
, who was batting over .400, hitless, ending his thirty game hitting streak
Hitting streak
In baseball, a hitting streak refers to the number of consecutive official games in which a player gets at least one base hit.According to the Official Baseball Rules, such a streak is ended when a player has at least 1 plate appearance and no hits...
.
Coaching
Matlack retired following the season. After four years away from the game, he was hired as pitching coach for the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
' Arizona League
Arizona League
The Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. It is a rookie-level professional baseball league run by Major League Baseball since 1989. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the...
affiliate. He also coached in the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
organization before he was hired as the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
' major league pitching coach in . He is currently the minor-league pitching coordinator for the Tigers.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Texas Rangers Opening Day starting pitchers