Jon Matlack

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Jon Matlack
Starting pitcher
Batted: Left	Threw: Left
MLB debut
July 11, 1971 for the New York Mets
Final game
September 15, 1983 for the Texas Rangers
Career statistics
Record	125-126
ERA	3.18
Strikeouts	1516
Teams
New York Mets (1971-1977) Texas Rangers (1978-1983)
Career highlights and awards
Rookie of the Year (NL): 1972 All-Star Game MVP (NL): 1975 All-Star (NL): 1974-1976

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, many 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 1972 through 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, 1972, Matlack had a very quality season going 15-10 with a 2.32 ERA (4th in the league). Steve Carlton was 1st that year with a 1.97 ERA. Matlack took home the Rookie of the Year award for 1972. 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. 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 1975 (with Bill Madlock) when the National League beat the American League, 6-3.

Matlack was sent to Texas in a strange 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, 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 13-year career, he was 125-126 in 361 games. He had almost 100 complete games in his career, ending out at 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 1983. He played his final game September 15 of that year.

Preceded by Earl Williams	National League Rookie of the Year 1972	Succeeded by Gary Matthews
Preceded by Steve Garvey	Major League Baseball All-Star Game Most Valuable Player 1975 (co-MVP with Bill Madlock)	Succeeded by George Foster

[edit] Reference

• 1980 Baseball Register published by The Sporting News

[edit] Trivia

• Matlack had a combined minor league record of 50-32 with an ERA of 3.83 from 1967 to 1971.
• He gave up Jim Anderson's first major league home run. {Arlington Stadium -- June 26, 1979}

[edit] External links

• Baseball Reference
• Retrosheet