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Gary Matthews
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 545 of 1252 players
Gary Nathaniel Matthews
Born: August 25, 1974 at San Francisco, Cal.
Throws: Right Bats: Both
Height: 6.03 Weight: 200

Gary Matthews was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on January 22, 2010, January 25, 2010, December 30, 2014, March 20, 2015, January 22, 2020, and April 3, 2024.

First Mets game: April 1, 2002
Last Mets game: June 2, 2010

Share your memories of Gary Matthews HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY: Joe Figliola April 4, 2002 Talk about easy come, easy go. When the Mets picked him up, I thought it was a wise move in terms of bolstering the bench. I looked upon him as a great defensiveoutfielder with (despite a low average) some pop. Now he's an ex-Met. On the bright side, he did play in more games than Kenny Greer. Won Doney April 5, 2002 His tenure with the Mets was short. He played in about every game in spring training, so I thought that meant they were going to hold on to him. murphy May 24, 2002 The Mets played him every day in spring training because they were hoping and praying he would give them a reason to stick on the roster. I swear Bobby Valentine wanted Matthews to tear it up and take over the starting centerfield spot over Payton. Unfortunately, Matthews was terrible all spring and Timo started the season by hitting the hell out of the ball at AAA. So it was adios Matthews. At least he didn't cost the Mets a player to get him. Chris from Chelsea October 5, 2002 The Mets trade him to the Orioles. He had a better year than any of the Mets outfielders. Not that having a better year than the Mets outfielders is difficult. Gregory Gewirtz April 1, 2003 He had all the tools, but needed regular playing time so he could put it all together, which he never would have gotten in New York, with Cedeno, Payton, and Burnitz in front of him, and Timo Perez pushing him from underneath. The Mets held onto him for only a few days into the regular season, just long enough for someone to come up with an acceptable offer for him. The Orioles gave us journeyman lefty reliever John Bale for Matthews, who pitched for Norfolk. Matthews went on to garner significant playing time with the O's, and as has been already cited, had a pretty decent year for them. VIBaseball September 8, 2006 Gary had 17 homers last year for Texas and has emerged even more this year, hitting over .300 and making what many view as the catch of the year in center field, soaring and twisting over the fence to pull back a certain homer. The Mets got pitcher John Bale from the O's in trade. Bale never pitched an inning in New York before he was released. Jamey Bumbalo November 24, 2006 Yes, he had a very good year with the Rangers in 2006. But, prior to this season his top batting average was .275, and he's been with seven teams in eight years. There's got to be some significance to that, and maybe it's just his name. Mr. Sparkle December 10, 2006 WOW. He was a 4th outfielder until he went to Texas and had 2 mediocre years followed by one very good year. Still, his power is only moderate as he topped out at 19 dingers. But at the age of 31 to cash in for 5 years at $50,000,000 in unbeleivable. The Rangers are clearly a poorly run organization. Maybe Gary has finally come into his own but who else was going to offer him this kind of a deal for a guy who basically had one good year? It's MADNESS!!! John Molnar December 20, 2006 Got to watch Gary in Las Vegas playing AAA; what an exciting player he was. I really thought he would just tear it up in the bigs. Anyway I saw him at spring training when he was with the Cubs and mentioned Vegas as he was walking by. He stopped to sign for my son (after passing by everyone else who asked) talked a while and posed for pictures with my son also; it made his day! Hope he continues doing well because he definetly has the talent. Ken January 24, 2010 Sooooo...looks like Sarge Jr. is coming back home. This acquisition reminds me of old Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons where Bullwinkle wants to pull the rabbit out of his hat and Rocky is "AGAIN? That trick never works!" "This time for sure!!!" And of course it doesn't. So I guess neither the Mets nor Bullwinkle J. Moose learn. Reyes' Legs January 24, 2010 Welcome back Gary!! I remember when you were in Spring Training back in 2002 and Bobby Valentine came on the radio saying you would be getting playing time on the major league roster that year. You looked terrific in the field and at bat. Two days later, much to my amazement and disappointment, it was adios. Don't know why you were traded but welcome back once again and I hope you have fun here in NY!! Michael Marino May 12, 2010 Jr. is no Sr. Witz September 27, 2010 Strike two... By all accounts a nice guy, but let's hope he doesn't return for a third go round! Gets by Buckner February 3, 2011 He went from being the 2010 Opening Day Center Fielder to getting released. Second time around for Gary was not so great! Alex April 17, 2024 The Mets are quite skilled at reacquiring players who are post-prime, after already having them once, but prematurely ditching them pre-prime. Jose Bautista. Jason Bay. Carlos Gomez. Jason Vargas. Gary Matthews. I remember Matthews playing with New York in 2002—not that I saw him play, I just remember his name from stat logs—but back then he was just a nobody. The Mets ditched him to the Orioles early in '02 for John Bale, who never played for New York, and it was after leaving the Big Apple that he embarked on a decent run that lasted nearly a decade. From 2002 to 2009, he showed good pop and speed, while making an All-Star team in 2006. He had 19 home runs that year; the next, he had 18, with 18 stolen bases. So of course New York decides to bring him back ... in 2010 ... when he was 35. That was a bad year, and Matthews exemplified it all the more. I couldn't understand why they kept him around so long. He was awful, he was a headache, he was a dud. Few players stick out in my mind as being 'especially bad' with New York. Matthews is one of them. Also, I've sent him two autograph requests in my day. The first was through the Oklahoma RedHawks in 2004 and the second was through his home address in 2020. He has yet to respond.

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