Jon Matlack

Infobox MLB retired
name=Jon Matlack
position=Pitcher
bats=Left
throws=Left
birthdate=birth date and age|1950|1|19
city-state|West Chester|Pennsylvania
debutdate=July 11
debutyear=by|1971
debutteam=New York Mets
finaldate=September 15
finalyear=by|1983
finalteam=Texas Rangers
stat1label=Win-Loss record
stat1value=125-126
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=3.18
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=1,516
teams=
* New York Mets (by|1971-by|1977)
* Texas Rangers (by|1978-by|1983)
highlights=
* 3x All-Star selection (1974, 1975, 1976)
* 1972 NL Rookie of the Year
* 1975 MLB All-Star Game MVP

Jonathan Trumpbour Matlack (born January 19, 1950 in West Chester, Pennsylvania) is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher.

Matlack played for the New York Mets (1971-1977) and the Texas Rangers (1978-1983).

Finishing out his career with a 125-126 record, manywho thought Matlack's career was overall average, but the two time league leader in shutouts actually had an above average career, especially with the New York Mets. Matlack won 15 or more games, four times in his career, and won 13 twice more. From by|1972 through by|1976, Matlack enjoyed his best years, reaching three All-Star Games (1974, '75, '76) while pitching in a rotation with Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman. He was managed by Yogi Berra during this time (except in '76).

In his first year, by|1972, Matlack had a quality season going 15-10 with a 2.32 ERA, the fourth-lowest in the National League. Steve Carlton was 1st that year with a 1.97 ERA. Matlack took home the Rookie of the Year award for 1972.cite book |author=Pietrusza, David; Matthew Silverman; Gershman, Michael |title=Baseball: The Biographical Encyclopedia |publisher=Total Sports |location=New York |year=2000 |pages=pg 724 |isbn=1-892129-34-5 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=] That year, he also gave up Roberto Clemente's 3000th and final hit, a double.

The following year, a Marty Perez line drive fractured Matlack's skull.cite book |author=Charlton, James; Shatzkin, Mike; Holtje, Stephen |title=The Ballplayers: baseball's ultimate biographical reference |publisher=Arbor House/William Morrow |location=New York |year=1990 |pages=pg 683 |isbn=0-87795-984-6 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=] When he returned in 11 days, he was back in form, and later threw a two-hit nine strike out shutout in Game Two of NLCS. After more solid playoff starts, Matlack lost Game Seven for the Mets in the World Series. It would be his only postseason appearance.

Matlack shared the All-Star MVP Award in by|1975 (with Bill Madlock) when the National League beat the American League, 6-3.

Matlack was sent to Texas in an unusual 4-team deal involving a number of players including Bert Blyleven, Al Oliver, and John Milner. Accomplishments with Texas include breaking up George Brett's 30-game hitting streak by holding him hitless on August 19, by|1980, and earlier that year, matching nine shutout innings with Ron Guidry, before both were removed from the game. The Rangers won the game when Goose Gossage threw a wild pitch in the 12th inning, allowing Mickey Rivers to score.

In a 13-year career, he was 125-126 in 361 games. He had almost 100 complete games in his career, ending with 97, 30 of them shutouts. He struck out 1516 batters in his career, in 2363 innings pitched. His final ERA was 3.18 in his career.

Matlack retired after being released by the Rangers in October by|1983. He played his final game September 15 of that year.

After retirement, Matlack became a pitching coach for the Chicago White Sox organization. Currently, Matlack is a minor league pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers.

References

* 1980 Baseball Register published by "The Sporting News"

External links

*
* [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/Pmatlj101.htm Retrosheet]