Gary Matthews, Jr.

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**Gary Matthews, Jr.**

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — No. 24
Outfielder
Born: August 25, 1974 (1974-08-25) (age 33)
Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
June 4, 1999 for the San Diego Padres
Selected MLB statistics (through May 30, 2008)
Batting Average	.259
Home Runs	102
Runs Batted In	415
Teams
San Diego Padres (1999, 2003) Chicago Cubs (2000-2001) Pittsburgh Pirates (2001) New York Mets (2002) Baltimore Orioles (2002-2003) Texas Rangers (2004-2006) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2007-present)

Gary Nathaniel Matthews Jr. (born August 25, 1974 in San Francisco, California) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Matthews is the son of Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Gary Matthews, who was a major league outfielder in the 1970s and 1980s.

Gary Matthews, Jr. began his career with the San Diego Padres in 1999 and has also played for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, and Texas Rangers before his current tenure with the Angels. He is a switch hitter.

1 2006 season
2 Human growth hormone controversy
3 2007 season
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] 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 on July 1, 2006 was so outstanding, Lamb himself applauded after the play was over. Team radio announcer Eric 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 the Detroit 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. Matthews believes that family is important, and with son Gavin living in Southern California he will get the best of both worlds.

[edit] Human growth hormone controversy

On February 27, 2007, the Times Union, an Albany, 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 in Alabama, Texas, 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.^[1]

In coordination with the team's wish that Matthews make a statement on the matter, he denied using HGH.^[2] The Angels had reportedly threatened to void Matthew's five-year, $50 million contract if he didn't give a response to the allegations.^[3] 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.^[4] The evidence listed led to Matthews being named in the Mitchell Report.