- Gary Matthews, Jr.
Infobox MLB player
width = 150
name=Gary Matthews, Jr.position=Outfielder
team=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
number=24
bats=Switch
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1974|8|25
birthplace=city-state|San Francisco|California
debutdate=June 4
debutyear=1999
debutteam=San Diego Padres
statyear=June 22, 2008
stat3label=Home Run s
stat3value=103
stat1label=Batting Average
stat1value=.260
stat4label=Runs Batted In
stat4value=419
teams=
*San Diego Padres (by|1999, by|2003)
*Chicago Cubs (by|2000-by|2001)
*Pittsburgh Pirates (by|2001)
*New York Mets (by|2002)
*Baltimore Orioles (by|2002-by|2003)
*Texas Rangers (by|2004-by|2006)
*Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (by|2007-present) Gary Nathaniel Matthews Jr. (bornAugust 25 1974 in San Francisco,California ) is anoutfielder inMajor League Baseball for theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim . Matthews is the son ofPhiladelphia Phillies broadcasterGary Matthews , who was a major league outfielder in the 1970s and 1980s.Gary Matthews, Jr. began his career with the
San Diego Padres in by|1999 and has also played for theChicago Cubs ,Pittsburgh Pirates ,New York Mets ,Baltimore Orioles , and Texas Rangers before his current tenure with the Angels. He is aswitch hitter .2006 season
Matthews got off to a fine start in the 2006 season, and as a result he was chosen to play in the 2006 All-Star Game. He and his father were the 14th father-son combination to appear in an All-Star Game.
Matthews is known for his jumping skills and flair for the dramatic in the field, often taking away what would be home runs in the process. His home run-stealing catch against
Mike Lamb onJuly 1 , by|2006 was so outstanding, Lamb himself applauded after the play was over. Team radio announcerEric Nadel said it was the best catch he's ever seen a Rangers outfielder make in his 26 years with the ballclub. It was later called the #1 defensive play ever performed by "The Best Damn Sports Show Period ".On
September 13 of the same year, Matthews hit for a natural cycle in a game against theDetroit Tigers , with a single for his first hit, a double for his second, a triple for his third, and a home run for his fourth.After his fine performance in 2006, with 19 HRs, 79 RBIs, and 194 hits (including 44 doubles), and respected defensive work in the outfield, he was signed by the Angels to a 5-year contract worth $50 million.
Human growth hormone controversy
On
February 27 2007 , the "Times Union ", anAlbany, New York newspaper, reported an investigation regarding a steroid ring that involved more than two dozen doctors, pharmacists and business owners who have been, or will be, arrested inAlabama ,Texas ,Florida andNew York . The investigation uncovered evidence that testosterone and other performance-enhancing drugs were purchased by current and former MLB players, NFL players, college athletes, high school coaches, a former Mr. Olympia champion and another leading contender in the bodybuilding competition. One of the baseball players named was Gary Matthews, Jr. [cite web|url=http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=566985&category=&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=2/27/2007|title=Albany DA raids Fla. steroids center|publisher="Albany Times Union "|author=Brendan J. Lyons|date=2007-02-27|accessdate=2007-05-06]In coordination with the team's wish that Matthews make a statement on the matter, he denied using HGH. [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/angels/2007-03-14-matthews-hgh_N.htm|title=Angels' Matthews denies taking HGH|publisher=
Associated Press |accessdate=2007-05-06] The Angels had reportedly threatened to void Matthew's five-year, $50 million contract if he didn't give a response to the allegations. [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/angels/2007-03-11-selig-moreno_N.htm|title=Selig, Moreno unite on Matthews issue|author=Hal Bodley|publisher="USA Today "|accessdate=2007-05-06] If he in fact took human growth hormone (HGH) prior to its addition to Major League Baseball's "banned substances list" in 2005, then he would be "grandfathered in," therefore resulting in no punishment but a stern warning, if anything, never to use HGH or any other substance banned by MLB in an attempt to further enhance his playing abilities. [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/angels/2007-03-12-matthews-apology_N.htm|title=Matthews apologizes for causing 'distraction'|publisher=Associated Press |accessdate=2007-05-06] The evidence listed led to Matthews being named in theMitchell Report .2008 season
At the end of June 2008, Gary had 7 home runs and was hitting .244.
ee also
*
List of second generation MLB players References
External links
*baseballstats |mlb=150439 |espn=4080 |br=m/matthga02 |fangraphs=153 |cube=M/gary-matthews
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