Gary Matthews, also known as "Sarge," was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues for 16 seasons. He was born on July 5, 1950, in San Fernando, California, and attended San Fernando High School. Matthews was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 1968 Major League Baseball draft.
Matthews made his Major League debut with the Giants in 1972 and played with them until 1976. He then played for the Atlanta Braves from 1977 to 1980, where he had his best season in 1979, hitting .304 with 27 home runs and 90 RBIs. Matthews was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981 and played with them until 1983, where he helped lead the team to a World Series championship in 1980.
After leaving the Phillies, Matthews played for the Chicago Cubs from 1984 to 1987, where he was named an All-Star in 1984. He then played for the Seattle Mariners in 1987 and the San Francisco Giants in 1987 and 1988 before retiring after the 1988 season.
Matthews finished his career with a .281 batting average, 234 home runs, and 978 RBIs. He was known for his power hitting and his ability to play multiple positions, including left field, right field, and first base.
After retiring from playing, Matthews became a coach and manager in the Major Leagues. He served as a coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Angels before becoming the manager of the Angels in 1999. Matthews led the Angels to a 51-82 record before being fired in August of that year.
Matthews then became a broadcaster for the Philadelphia Phillies, where he served as a color commentator from 2007 to 2013. He was known for his insightful analysis and his ability to connect with fans.
In 2010, Matthews was implicated in the Biogenesis scandal, which involved the use of performance-enhancing drugs by Major League players. He was named in a report by ESPN as one of the players who received performance-enhancing drugs from the clinic. Matthews denied the allegations and was never charged with a crime.
Overall, Gary Matthews had a successful career as a Major League player and went on to have a successful career as a coach, manager, and broadcaster. While his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal tarnished his reputation, he will always be remembered as a talented player and a beloved member of the baseball community.
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