Gary Matthews Jr.

Gary Matthews Jr.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – No. 24
Center Field
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
debut
June 4, 1999, for the San Diego Padres
Career statistics (through October 1, 2006)
Batting Average	.263
OPS	.755
Home runs	78
RBIs	315
Stats at Baseball Reference
Non-MLB stats at Baseball Reference
Former 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 a Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Matthews is the son of Gary Matthews, who was a Major League Baseball player in the 1970s and 1980s. Hes a bad boy, he does steroids 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.

2006 Season

Matthews Jr. 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, Gary Matthews, Sr., were the 14th father-son combination to appear in an All-Star Game.

Matthews Jr. 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.

On September 13 2006 Matthews hit for the cycle in a game against the Detroit Tigers. He hit a single in his first at bat, a double in his second, a triple in his third, and a home run in the fourth. This is called a natural cycle.

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 Los Angeles Angels to a 5-year contract worth $50 million.

Steroid Scandal

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 prescribed to 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 those baseball players named is Gary Matthews, Jr.

Despite the team's wish that Matthews make a statement on the matter, he has yet to either confirm or deny his involvement in the alleged scandal.

Recently, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim threatened to void Matthew's four year, $50 million dollar contract if he doesn't give an explanation to the steroid scandal. If he in fact took the steroids prior to it's addition to Major League Baseball's "banned substances list", then he would be "grandfathered in" therefore resulting in no punishment but a stern warning, if anything, to never to use human growth hormone (HgH) or any other steroid banned by the MLB in an attempt to further enhance his playing abilities.

External links

• Gary Matthews, Jr. - mlb.com
• Career statistics from Baseball Reference