Career Gary Matthews Jr.

1 career

1.1 career
1.2 2006 season
1.3 human growth hormone controversy
1.4 2008 season
1.5 2009 season
1.6 2009–2010 offseason , trade mets

career
early career

matthews began career san diego padres in 1999 , has played brisbane bandits of australian baseball league, chicago cubs, pittsburgh pirates, new york mets, baltimore orioles, texas rangers, , los angeles angels of anaheim. traded mets orioles john bale on april 3, 2002. until 2006, matthews not big figure in baseball, getting 2,167 @ bats on first 7 years (1999–2005). during time, hit 59 home runs, stole 54 bases, batted .249 , had .397 slugging percentage.

2006 season

matthews batting texas rangers in 2005

matthews got off fine start in 2006 season, , result chosen play in 2006 all-star game. , father 14th father-son combination appear in all-star game, father took part in 1979 game.

matthews known jumping skills , flair dramatic in field, taking away home runs in process. home run-stealing catch against mike lamb on july 1, 2006 outstanding, lamb himself applauded after play over. team radio announcer eric nadel said best catch s ever seen rangers outfielder make in 26 years ballclub. later called #1 defensive play ever performed best damn sports show period.

on september 13 of same year, matthews hit natural cycle in game against detroit tigers, single first hit, double second, triple third, , home run fourth.

after fine performance in 2006, 19 hrs, 79 rbis, , 194 hits (including 44 doubles), , respected defensive work in outfield, signed angels 5-year contract worth $50 million. many baseball writers such espn s rob neyer have called 1 of worst contracts of time, citing matthews prior performance never enough deserve , subsequent drop-off should have been predictable angels.

human growth hormone controversy

on february 27, 2007, times union, albany, new york newspaper, reported investigation regarding steroid ring involved more 2 dozen doctors, pharmacists , business owners have been, or be, arrested in alabama, texas, florida , new york. investigation uncovered evidence testosterone , other performance-enhancing drugs purchased current , former mlb players, nfl players, college athletes, high school coaches, former mr. olympia champion , leading contender in bodybuilding competition. 1 of baseball players named gary matthews jr. evidence listed led matthews being named in mitchell report. result of being naming in report, given derogatory nickname gary matthews juicer.

in coordination team s wish matthews make statement on matter, denied using hgh. angels had reportedly threatened void matthew s five-year, $50 million contract if did not give response allegations. if in fact took human growth hormone (hgh) prior addition major league baseball s banned substances list in 2005, grandfathered in , therefore resulting in no punishment stern warning, if anything, never use hgh or other substance banned mlb in attempt further enhance playing abilities.

2008 season

matthews los angeles angels of anaheim in 2008

matthews had 8 home runs , batted .242 2008 season.

2009 season

on july 10, 2009 got 1,000th hit against joba chamberlain of new york yankees in second inning. matthews last hitter of angels 2009 season, striking out against mariano rivera end game 6 of 2009 american league championship series.

2009–2010 offseason , trade mets

after end of season, matthews went public desire traded team in spite of having 2 years left on contract. don t expect back; s time move on , matthews said. m ready play organization wants me play every day. organization has other plans, , s ok. oc register s sam miller doubted matthews find job team, comparing him other aging player similar attributes. while calling matthews contract sixth biggest franchise-killer, si.com said trade outlook matthew not good. angels reportedly shopping matthews, s hard imagine takers unless l.a. eats or of remaining salary.

on january 22, 2010, matthews traded new york mets relief pitcher brian stokes. angels picked $21.5 of $23.5 million left on matthews contract. trade met widespread surprise. buster olney, writing espn.com, wrote mets seeing in him other teams not seeing. quoting anonymous talent evaluator major league team, matthews player avoided. slow bat. declining range. , above else, player wants regular , unhappy distraction in clubhouse when s not in lineup every day , while executive called move baffling. fangraphs matthew carruth called trade close wash while rob neyer of espn.com said 1 might argue mets gave less nothing. regular center fielder carlos beltrán out after having undergone surgery, matthews starting center fielder mets on opening day.

on june 4, matthews designated assignment after batting .190 in 58 abs. on june 15 matthews released mets. signed minor-league contract cincinnati reds on june 23. assigned triple-a louisville, hit 313/.359/.490. however, not promoted reds, , on july 24, opted out of contract reds, , became free agent.