607:, wrote the Mets were "seeing something in him that other teams are not seeing." Quoting an anonymous talent evaluator for a Major League team, "Matthews is a player to be avoided. Slow bat. Declining range. And above all else, a player who wants to be a regular and will be an unhappy distraction in your clubhouse when he's not in the lineup every day", while another executive called the move 'baffling.' Fangraphs' Matthew Carruth called the trade "close to a wash" while Rob Neyer of ESPN.com said "One might argue that the Mets just gave up something for less than nothing." With regular center fielder Carlos Beltrán out after having undergone surgery, Matthews was the starting center fielder for the Mets on opening day.
536:
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515:, Florida and New 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. The evidence listed led to Matthews being named in the
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After the end of the season, Matthews went public with his desire to be traded to another team in spite of having two years left on his contract. "I don't expect to be back; it's time to move on", Matthews said. "I'm ready to play for an organization that wants me to play every day. This organization
522:
In coordination with the team's wish that
Matthews make a statement on the matter, he denied using HGH. The Angels had reportedly threatened to void Matthew's five-year, $ 50 million contract if he did not give a response to the allegations. If he in fact took human growth hormone (HGH) prior to
591:
Sam Miller doubted
Matthews could find a job with another team, comparing him to other aging player with similar attributes. While calling Matthews' contract the sixth biggest franchise-killer, SI.com said the trade outlook for Matthew was not good. "The Angels are reportedly shopping Matthews, but
479:
After his fine performance in 2006, with 19 home runs, 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. Many baseball writers such as
1022:
488:
have called it one of the worst contracts of all time, citing that
Matthews' prior performance was never good enough to deserve it and that his subsequent drop-off should have been predictable to the Angels.
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527:
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.
663:
692:
507:
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 in
451:
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
943:
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658:
459:
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
1074:
653:
970:
622:, where he hit .313/.359/.490. However, he was not promoted to the majors, and on July 24, he opted out of his contract with the Reds and became a free agent.
603:. The Angels picked up $ 21.5 of the $ 23.5 million left on Matthews' contract. The trade was met with widespread surprise. Buster Olney, writing for
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448:. He and his father were the 14th father-son combination to appear in an All-Star Game, as his father took part in the 1979 game.
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after batting .190 in 58 ABs. On June 15 Matthews was released by the Mets. He signed a minor-league contract by the
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244:
890:
519:. As a result of being naming in the report, he was given the derogatory nickname Gary Matthews Juicer.
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Matthews got off to a fine start in the 2006 season, and as a result he was chosen to play in the 2006
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on July 1, 2006, was so outstanding, Lamb himself applauded after the play. Team radio announcer
416:
over his first seven years (1999–2005). During that time, he hit 59 home runs, stole 54 bases,
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on April 3, 2002. Up until 2006, Matthews was not a big figure in baseball, getting only 2,167
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its addition to Major League
Baseball's "banned substances list" in 2005, then he would be "
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8:
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1075:"Cincinnati Enquirer | Cincinnati Reds " Reds lineup (Cueto in); Matthews opts out"
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it's hard to imagine any takers unless L.A. eats most or all of his remaining salary."
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Matthews served as the first base coach for the
National League team in the 2024
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891:"Most Angels free agents signal their desire to stay, except for Matthews"
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944:"For all of the wrong reasons, these baseball contracts are killer"
604:
131:
664:
List of Major League
Baseball players named in the Mitchell Report
733:
563:
in the second inning. Matthews was the last hitter of the Angels
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Matthews had 8 home runs and batted .242 for the 2008 season.
512:
481:
695:, Baltimore Orioles press release, Wednesday April 3, 2002
659:
List of Major League
Baseball players to hit for the cycle
308:(MLB) from 1999 to 2010. Matthews is the son of the 1973
578:
757:"Mets' Matthews still an Angel – SweetSpot Blog – ESPN"
654:
List of second-generation Major League
Baseball players
1101:"Futures Game coaching staffs full of Rangers legends"
101:
June 4, 1999, for the San Diego Padres
492:
111:June 2, 2010, for the New York Mets
1315:American expatriate baseball players in Australia
555:On July 10, 2009, he got his 1,000th hit against
1191:
917:"Would GMJ get any job if he were a free agent?"
777:
595:On January 22, 2010, Matthews was traded to the
864:"Matthews apologizes for causing 'distraction'"
408:. He was traded by the Mets to the Orioles for
1127:Career statistics and player information from
968:
297:(born August 25, 1974) is an American former
1020:
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468:On September 13 of the same year, Matthews
1330:20th-century African-American sportspeople
1325:21st-century African-American sportspeople
993:
991:
941:
834:
34:
971:"Mets land Matthews to bolster outfield"
919:. Orange County Register. Archived from
726:
618:on June 23. He was assigned to Triple-A
573:2009 American League Championship Series
534:
431:
997:
988:
837:"Selig, Moreno unite on Matthews issue"
1192:
914:
889:DioGiovanna, Mike (October 28, 2009).
780:"Albany DA raids Fla. steroids center"
778:Brendan J. Lyons (February 27, 2007).
727:Sullivan, T. R. (September 14, 2006).
706:"Gary Matthews Statistics and History"
1210:Major League Baseball center fielders
1049:"Mets pick up vital fifth outfielder"
1046:
1023:"Reports on Matthews Jr. aren't kind"
998:Carruth, Matthew (January 22, 2010).
942:Andrecheck, Sky (December 23, 2009).
754:
584:has other plans, and that's OK." The
579:2009–2010 offseason and trade to Mets
1072:
810:"Angels' Matthews denies taking HGH"
729:"Matthews hits for cycle in victory"
376:in 1999 and has also played for the
336:
16:American baseball player (born 1974)
1255:Baseball players from San Francisco
969:Anthony DiComo (January 22, 2010).
693:"Orioles acquire Gary Matthews Jr."
372:Matthews began his career with the
13:
1285:Las Vegas Stars (baseball) players
870:. Associated Press. March 12, 2007
816:. Associated Press. March 15, 2007
625:
14:
1341:
1260:African-American baseball players
1121:
1021:Buster Olney (January 23, 2010).
1077:. Cincinnati.Com. Archived from
915:Miller, Sam (October 29, 2009).
493:Human growth hormone controversy
462:The Best Damn Sports Show Period
340:
1310:Mission Saints baseball players
1275:Rancho Cucamonga Quakes players
1093:
1066:
1047:Neyer, Rob (January 23, 2010).
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882:
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40:Matthews with the New York Mets
856:
828:
802:
771:
748:
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427:
1:
835:Hal Bodley (March 11, 2007).
669:
643:2006 American League All Star
541:Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
406:Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
245:Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
272:Career highlights and awards
7:
1270:Clinton LumberKings players
1145:Baseball Reference (Minors)
755:Neyer, Rob (June 5, 2010).
647:
295:Gary Nathaniel Matthews Jr.
10:
1346:
1300:Frisco RoughRiders players
1230:Pittsburgh Pirates players
1215:Los Angeles Angels players
682:Flintoff and Dunn Alamanac
497:On February 27, 2007, the
382:Australian Baseball League
1295:Oklahoma RedHawks players
1250:American League All-Stars
1240:Baltimore Orioles players
1178:
1169:
1161:
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612:designated for assignment
436:Matthews batting for the
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71:San Francisco, California
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1320:Brisbane Bandits players
1220:San Diego Padres players
946:. SI.com. Archived from
708:. baseball-reference.com
610:On June 4, Matthews was
1305:Louisville Bats players
1280:Mobile BayBears players
1265:Spokane Indians players
571:to end game six of the
567:, striking out against
470:hit for a natural cycle
1073:jfay (July 24, 2010).
544:
472:in a game against the
441:
1245:Texas Rangers players
1235:New York Mets players
1172:Hitting for the cycle
632:All-Star Futures Game
538:
435:
318:Philadelphia Phillies
306:Major League Baseball
299:professional baseball
1225:Chicago Cubs players
420:.249 and had a .397
1176:September 13, 2006
950:on January 14, 2010
923:on October 31, 2009
599:for relief pitcher
422:slugging percentage
106:Last MLB appearance
1137:Baseball Reference
1000:"Sarge for Stokes"
784:Albany Times Union
545:
539:Matthews with the
442:
390:Pittsburgh Pirates
352:. You can help by
310:Rookie of the Year
187:Pittsburgh Pirates
1290:Iowa Cubs players
1188:
1187:
1179:Succeeded by
895:Los Angeles Times
398:Baltimore Orioles
370:
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207:Baltimore Orioles
28:Gary Matthews Jr.
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1162:Preceded by
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1081:on July 26, 2010
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790:on March 4, 2007
786:. Archived from
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561:New York Yankees
557:Joba Chamberlain
505:Albany, New York
378:Brisbane Bandits
374:San Diego Padres
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350:needs expansion
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122:Batting average
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65:August 25, 1974
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1165:Carlos Guillén
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348:This section
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322:Gary Matthews
319:
316:, and former
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1170:
1108:. Retrieved
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1083:. Retrieved
1079:the original
1068:
1056:. Retrieved
1052:
1042:
1030:. Retrieved
1026:
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1004:. Retrieved
978:. Retrieved
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921:the original
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898:. Retrieved
894:
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872:. Retrieved
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813:
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792:. Retrieved
788:the original
773:
761:. Retrieved
750:
738:. Retrieved
732:
722:
712:December 27,
710:. Retrieved
700:
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629:
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601:Brian Stokes
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467:
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386:Chicago Cubs
371:
361:January 2010
358:
354:adding to it
349:
333:Early career
320:broadcaster
304:. He played
294:
293:
173:Chicago Cubs
86:
80:
55:
46:
18:
1200:1974 births
1058:January 24,
1032:January 24,
1006:January 24,
980:January 24,
954:January 24,
927:November 1,
900:October 28,
587:OC Register
565:2009 season
551:2009 season
531:2008 season
500:Times Union
428:2006 season
1194:Categories
1143:, or
1139:, or
1135:, or
1131:, or
670:References
620:Louisville
457:Eric Nadel
302:outfielder
61:1974-08-25
48:Outfielder
1141:Fangraphs
868:USA Today
842:USA Today
814:USA Today
486:Rob Neyer
453:Mike Lamb
410:John Bale
132:Home runs
96:MLB debut
1110:July 18,
1085:July 28,
1053:ESPN.com
1027:espn.com
763:July 28,
648:See also
605:espn.com
314:All-Star
280:All-Star
1105:mlb.com
975:MLB.com
740:May 13,
734:MLB.com
559:of the
543:in 2008
509:Alabama
440:in 2005
414:at bats
380:of the
312:, 1979
81:Batted:
874:May 6,
848:May 6,
820:May 6,
794:May 6,
638:Awards
418:batted
404:, and
328:Career
87:Threw:
83:Switch
73:, U.S.
513:Texas
503:, an
155:Teams
89:Right
56:Born:
1133:ESPN
1112:2024
1087:2010
1060:2010
1034:2010
1008:2010
982:2010
956:2010
929:2009
902:2009
876:2007
850:2007
822:2007
796:2007
765:2010
742:2015
714:2012
482:ESPN
284:2006
263:2010
253:2009
249:2007
239:2006
235:2004
225:2003
215:2003
211:2002
201:2002
191:2001
181:2001
177:2000
167:1999
126:.257
1129:MLB
484:'s
356:.
146:484
136:108
1196::
1103:.
1051:.
1025:.
990:^
973:.
893:.
866:.
839:.
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589:'s
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