Jon Matlack – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jon Matlack put together a 13-year career in Major League Baseball from 1971 to 1983, and honestly, he was one of the most consistent left-handed pitchers of his time. He made the All-Star team three times, won the 1972 National League Rookie of the Year award, and wrapped up his career with a 125-126 record and a 3.18 ERA over 2,363 innings pitched. Starting out as a high school draft pick, he became a cornerstone in the New York Mets rotation, and his journey really shows the dedication and skill that made baseball in the 1970s and early 1980s special.

Matlack was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and at just 17, the Mets picked him fourth overall in the 1967 draft. He worked his way up through the minors, making his debut against the Cincinnati Reds on July 11, 1971.

He quickly became a key part of the Mets’ pitching staff and helped the team reach the 1973 National League pennant and the World Series.

Let’s take a closer look at Matlack’s early development, his top years with the Mets, his move to the Texas Rangers, and what he left behind in the game. From his rookie season to his role in some wild baseball moments, Matlack’s story blends personal achievement with the bigger picture of baseball during a pretty compelling era.

Early Life and Path to Major League Baseball

Jon Matlack’s road to Major League Baseball started in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he was born on January 19, 1950. The New York Mets picked him fourth overall in the 1967 amateur draft, kicking off a five-year grind in their minor league system.

Childhood and High School in West Chester

Jonathan Trumpbour Matlack was born to Ralph Russell and Marcella Trumpbour Matlack. He grew up as the oldest of eight kids, and he was the only one who really took baseball seriously.

His unusual middle name, Trumpbour, came from his mother’s maiden name. That old Dutch name tied him to family roots in Saugerties, New York, going all the way back to the 1700s.

Matlack went to West Chester High School, which got renamed Henderson High School during his senior year. He started out in Little League as an outfielder.

Then he hit a growth spurt. At 6-foot-3, coaches moved him to pitcher because he towered over most of the other kids. That switch changed everything for him.

He stuck with pitching through high school. Scouts from Major League Baseball, especially the Mets, started to notice.

Draft and Minor League Development

The New York Mets used their first-round, fourth overall pick to grab the left-handed pitcher in the 1967 amateur draft. His pro career didn’t start until late that year since his American Legion team made a deep tournament run.

The Mets sent him to the Williamsport Mets, their Double-A affiliate. That move made sense since the team was close to his home in Pennsylvania.

His first pro season was rough. Matlack went 0-1 with a 14.40 ERA in only two games.

But 1968 changed things. He played for the Raleigh-Durham Mets in the Single-A Carolina League and finished with a 13-6 record and a 2.76 ERA. He struck out 188 batters, making it his best year in the minors.

That year was big for him off the field too. Matlack married his high school sweetheart, Diana, in 1968.

Rise Through the Mets Organization

From 1969 to 1971, Matlack pitched for the Tidewater Tides, the Mets’ Triple-A team in the International League. He kept getting better and looked more and more ready for the majors.

In 1969, he pitched in 26 games and finished 10 of them. He went 14-7, struck out 99 batters, and helped the Tides win the International League championship. His 4.14 ERA kept him in Triple-A for another year.

Matlack’s 1970 season started with personal tragedy—his father died right before the season. He always wished his dad could have seen him pitch in the majors.

His second year with Tidewater saw him pitch in 26 games and complete nine of them. He finished 12-11, but his 146 strikeouts showed off his power.

By 1971, Matlack was ready for the big leagues. He started the season in Triple-A but got called up mid-season. On July 11, 1971, he made his Major League Baseball debut against the Cincinnati Reds, pitching seven innings in a 5-3 loss.

New York Mets Career Highlights

Jon Matlack became a key part of the Mets’ pitching rotation in the 1970s. He won the 1972 National League Rookie of the Year Award and played a huge role in the 1973 World Series run.

He racked up multiple All-Star nods and set a few franchise records along the way.

Major League Debut and Initial Seasons

Matlack’s first major league game came on July 11, 1971, against the Cincinnati Reds. He threw seven innings, allowed six hits and two earned runs, and the Mets lost 5-3. Tom Seaver ended up taking the loss in relief in the ninth.

He finished his rookie season with a 0-3 record. Matlack had to wait until 1972 for his first big league win.

After the 1971 season, he played winter ball in Puerto Rico for the San Juan Senadores to get more experience.

The time in the minors really paid off. Matlack spent three years with the Tidewater Tides, and his best minor league season came in 1968 with the Raleigh-Durham Mets, where he went 13-6 with a 2.76 ERA.

Breakout in 1972 and Rookie of the Year Honors

Matlack finally got his first major league win on April 23, 1972. He came in for Gary Gentry against the Chicago Cubs, pitched four scoreless innings, and struck out five in an 8-2 Mets win. By the end of May, his ERA was a sharp 1.95.

The 1972 season was his breakout year. Matlack finished 15-10 and led the Mets with a 2.32 ERA, good for fourth in the National League. He tossed four shutouts and eight complete games, racking up 169 strikeouts.

He picked up the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Matlack beat out Dave Rader of the Giants and his own teammate John Milner. Pitching alongside Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman didn’t hurt.

One moment stands out—on September 30, 1972, Matlack gave up Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th hit. It was a double that bounced off the center-field wall at Three Rivers Stadium.

Role in 1973 NLCS and World Series

In 1973, Matlack went 14-16, but still struck out 205 batters, which ranked third in the National League. He bounced back from a scary injury when Marty Perez hit a line drive that fractured his skull on May 8. Matlack returned to the mound just 11 days later.

He played a big part in the Mets’ playoff run, going 5-1 from August 18 through the end of the season. His best showing came in Game 2 of the 1973 NLCS against Cincinnati. He held the Big Red Machine to just two hits, both by Andy Kosco.

In the 1973 World Series against Oakland, Matlack pitched well but saw mixed results. In Game 1, he gave up just three hits in six innings but lost 2-1. He won Game 4, allowing one run in eight innings as the Mets won 6-1.

Game 7 didn’t go his way. Pitching on three days’ rest, he lasted only 2⅔ innings and gave up homers to Bert Campaneris and Reggie Jackson. Even so, his 2.16 ERA in 16⅔ innings showed how tough he was on the mound.

All-Star Appearances and Milestones

Matlack’s 1975 All-Star Game outing is a highlight. He pitched two scoreless innings, struck out four, and ended up sharing the MVP award with Pittsburgh’s Bill Madlock. That’s the only time the award has ever been shared.

He had his best overall season in 1976, going 17-10 with 16 complete games. His 2.95 ERA and 153 strikeouts landed him sixth in Cy Young voting. There was also that wild 1-0, 10-inning loss to Houston’s J.R. Richard—even though Matlack threw nine scoreless innings.

Matlack set the Mets’ single-season record for left-handed pitchers with 205 strikeouts in 1973. In 1974, he tied the club record with seven shutouts, which stood until Dwight Gooden broke it in 1985.

His career ERA of 2.88 with the Mets really shows how steady he was over his seven seasons in New York.

Signature Pitching Achievements and Style

Jon Matlack earned his reputation as a dominant left-handed pitcher with exceptional control and power. He piled up strikeouts, kept his ERA low, and finished a lot of games he started.

Shutouts and Complete Games

Matlack showed off his stamina and control year after year. He threw four shutouts during his 1972 Rookie of the Year season, proving he could just shut down a lineup.

His 1974 season was especially impressive. Matlack tossed seven shutouts, tying the Mets club record until Dwight Gooden broke it.

He often pitched deep into games. In 1976, he completed 16 games while going 17-10. Teams really valued starters who could finish what they started, and Matlack was one of those guys.

He led all Mets pitchers with eight complete games in his rookie year, which says a lot about his toughness.

Strikeout Records

Matlack’s fastball and control helped him rack up strikeouts. Over his 13-year career, he finished with 1,516 strikeouts, averaging more than 116 a season.

His 1973 season really put his strikeout ability on display. Matlack struck out 205 batters, setting a single-season record for Mets lefties.

That total was third in the National League, behind only Tom Seaver and Steve Carlton. Not bad company to keep.

In 1974, he struck out 195 batters, ranking fourth in the league and showing he could keep missing bats.

Pitching ERA and Consistency

Matlack’s ERA tells the story of his effectiveness. His career ERA of 3.18 shows he was solid wherever he pitched.

As a rookie, his 2.32 ERA was fourth-best in the National League and helped him win Rookie of the Year.

When he joined Texas in 1978, he kept it going. Matlack posted a 2.27 ERA with a 15-13 record, proving he could pitch in either league.

In 1976, he put up a 2.95 ERA and won 17 games. That year really stands as the peak of his consistency, and he entered that season with a career 2.88 ERA.

Texas Rangers Tenure and Final Years

Matlack’s career took a turn in 1978 when he joined the Texas Rangers. He spent his final six seasons there.

His time in Texas showed off his resilience and ability to adapt, as he shifted from a traditional starter role to something more flexible as he got older.

Trade to Texas and Early Impact

The New York Mets traded Jon Matlack to the Texas Rangers before the 1978 season. This move really changed the direction of his career after seven seasons in New York.

Matlack jumped right in and made a big difference during his first year with Texas. He put together an impressive 15-13 record with a 2.27 ERA in 1978, which turned out to be one of his best seasons.

The lefty threw 270 innings that year. That kind of workload showed just how tough and valuable he was for his new team.

He earned recognition as one of the American League’s top pitchers that year. That 2.27 ERA stood as a career-best for him.

Performance from 1978 to 1983

Matlack spent six years with Texas, and those seasons had their ups and downs. He finished his Rangers career with a 43-45 record and 493 strikeouts.

Key Statistics with Texas Rangers:

• 1978: 15-13, 2.27 ERA, 270 innings
• 1979: 5-4, 4.13 ERA, 85 innings
• 1980: 10-10, 3.68 ERA, 234.2 innings
• 1981: 4-7, 4.14 ERA, 104.1 innings
• 1982: 7-7, 3.53 ERA, 147.2 innings
• 1983: 2-4, 4.66 ERA, 73.1 innings

His role changed a lot in those later years. Matlack started out as a regular starter, but later he bounced between starting and working out of the bullpen.

In 1980, he seemed to bounce back, pitching 234.2 innings. But after that, his effectiveness started to fade.

Retirement Announcement and Circumstances

Matlack played his last professional game on September 15, 1983, facing the Oakland Athletics. He pitched two innings in that final outing, giving up two hits and one earned run.

The 1983 season really challenged him. He finished with a 4.66 ERA in 25 games, and only started nine times.

His innings dropped way down to just 73.1 that year. That was a far cry from his earlier seasons when he’d regularly top 240 innings.

At 33, Matlack decided to step away from professional baseball. He wrapped up a 13-year career with 125 wins and 126 losses over 361 games.

He logged 2,363 innings in total. His final numbers included 1,516 strikeouts and a 3.18 career ERA.

Career Accolades and Historical Significance

Jon Matlack picked up the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1972 and made three All-Star teams during his 13 seasons. He played key roles in some pretty memorable baseball moments, like the 1973 World Series and Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th hit.

Major League Milestones and Awards

Matlack’s biggest individual accomplishment came in 1972 when he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He beat out Dave Rader of the Giants and fellow Met John Milner for the honor.

That rookie year really put Matlack on the map in Major League Baseball. He finished 15-10 with a 2.32 ERA, which ranked fourth in the National League. He threw four shutouts and eight complete games, leading the Mets in both categories.

He earned All-Star selections in 1974, 1975, and 1976. In the 1975 All-Star Game, Matlack tossed two scoreless innings and struck out four. He actually shared the MVP award with Bill Madlock of the Pirates, which remains the only time two players split the honor in All-Star Game history.

Matlack set a New York Mets record for left-handed pitchers with 205 strikeouts in 1973. He also matched the club record for shutouts with seven in 1974, a mark that lasted until Dwight Gooden broke it in 1985.

His 1976 season was probably his best with the Mets. Matlack won 17 games, lost 10, and posted a 2.95 ERA. He finished sixth in the Cy Young voting that year.

Reputation Among Teammates and Peers

Matlack earned a lot of respect from some of the best pitchers in baseball during his time with the New York Mets. His locker sat right between Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, which really says something about his place on the team.

“The fact that my locker was between [the lockers of] Seaver and Koosman says enough,” Matlack once said about his relationship with the Mets’ ace pitchers. Both veterans helped him grow into a major league pitcher.

People sometimes saw him as the “third wheel” behind Seaver and Koosman, but Matlack proved he could be an ace too. His steady performance and durability made him a mainstay in the Mets’ rotation through the 1970s.

When the Mets traded him to the Texas Rangers in 1978, Matlack didn’t hide his surprise. “It totally shocked me because you never want to be let go. I felt like I was a real part of something,” he remembered about that four-team deal.

Role in Notable Baseball Moments

Matlack found himself in the middle of one of baseball’s most historic moments on September 30, 1972. He gave up Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th hit, which turned out to be Clemente’s last.

“I had no idea he was sitting on 2,999. I was just trying to win a game,” Matlack recalled. Clemente’s double short-hopped the center-field wall, sparking a quick celebration, while Matlack just tried to focus on the next pitch.

In the 1973 World Series, Matlack stepped up with some strong outings even though the Mets lost to the A’s. He limited the powerful Oakland lineup to just three hits over six innings in Game One, losing 2-1 after an error.

He was at his best in the National League Championship Series that year. Matlack held the Reds’ “Big Red Machine” to two hits in Game Two, and both hits came from reserve outfielder Andy Kosco.

That 1973 season also brought a scary moment for Matlack. Marty Perez hit a line drive that fractured his skull, but Matlack returned just 11 days later, showing the kind of toughness that defined his career.

Life After Baseball and Legacy

Jon Matlack found a new sense of purpose in baseball after retiring in 1983, moving into coaching and business. He kept giving back to the game by mentoring young pitchers and staying connected to Major League Baseball.

Post-Retirement Activities

After hanging up his spikes at 33, Matlack tried out a few business ventures. He worked in commercial real estate and spent some time raising horses in Texas.

But honestly, baseball kept calling him back. “The more he got away from baseball, the more he felt the game’s tug,” reporters said about his life after playing.

Matlack’s break from baseball lasted only about four years. By 1987, he was back, ready to share what he’d learned with young players.

Those business ventures gave him a different set of skills outside the ballpark. That experience turned out to be useful when he started coaching.

Coaching and Contributions to Baseball

Matlack came back to the game in 1987 as a pitching coach for the San Diego Padres’ Arizona League affiliate. That kicked off his second act in pro baseball.

He built his coaching style around control and mental toughness, the same things that helped him succeed as a pitcher.

In 2015, Matlack worked as a pitching advisor for the Glens Falls Dragons in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. That job let him work with college players and pass along his knowledge at a different level.

After spending a season with the Dragons, Matlack retired from coaching. These days, he enjoys life with his wife and family, having finally found some peace away from the grind of pro baseball.

Lasting Legacy in the Game

Matlack’s career stats really show how he pitched with steady skill for years. Sure, his 125-126 record looks pretty average at first glance, but honestly, he brought a lot more to the table than just numbers.

He picked up National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1972. Then, in 1975, he actually shared the All-Star Game MVP award, which is no small feat. Those moments pretty much locked in his spot in baseball history.

The 1973 World Series? That’s still one of the highlights of his career. Even though the Mets lost to Oakland, Matlack stepped up and proved he could handle the pressure at the top level.

If you look at how people analyze baseball now, Matlack comes out looking better than his win-loss record ever could show. His knack for striking out hitters and keeping his earned run average low really says it all.