Nelson Mathews – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Nelson Elmer Mathews played professional baseball from 1960 to 1965 for the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Athletics, ending his major league career at just 23 years old. This talented outfielder from Columbia, Illinois, picked up a few notable accomplishments during his brief time in the majors, like becoming the youngest Cubs player to hit a grand slam.

He had a promising start and stood an imposing 6-foot-4, but Mathews faced the usual challenges of professional baseball in the 1960s. His story, from growing up on “the wrong side of the tracks” to reaching the majors, really shows how determination and talent sometimes run smack into the tough realities of pro sports.

Nelson Mathews’ journey gives us a peek into what life looked like for pro ballplayers in the early 1960s. From his early days to his final games, his stats, and the impact he left, there’s a lot to learn about an era when players faced a different set of challenges than athletes do now.

Early Life and Background

Nelson Elmer Mathews was born on July 21, 1941, in Columbia, Illinois. He grew up facing financial hardships that shaped his competitive drive.

His childhood was rough. Poverty and the early loss of his father left a mark, but he found some purpose in athletics at the local community center.

Childhood and Hometown

Nelson Mathews grew up near the far southern end of Columbia Avenue, right by the railroad tracks in Columbia, Illinois. Folks called kids from that area “dead end kids,” and he definitely felt that label.

The Mathews family struggled a lot financially. When Nelson was 12, his father died from injuries he got while working for the railroad in nearby Dupo.

His mother had to raise the family alone with barely any money. “We never had any money,” Mathews said later. If something like that happened now, the family would probably get a big settlement.

Despite everything, Nelson found his escape in sports. He spent hours at Turner Hall, playing pick-up baseball and basketball from morning until night.

“We didn’t have nothin’ else to do,” he remembered. “It was either baseball or basketball.” The woods behind his house gave them a place to hunt and hang out, too.

Education and High School Baseball

Nelson went to Columbia High School, where he quickly stood out in both basketball and baseball. He made the varsity basketball team as a freshman, which was pretty rare and showed just how talented he was.

His basketball career at Columbia was especially impressive. As a junior, his team went 23-3, and as a senior, the 6-foot-4 Mathews led Columbia to a 29-2 season while averaging 23 points per game.

He became the school’s all-time leading scorer. That record lasted until the late 1990s, when the Patton twins, Shawn and Ryan, finally broke it.

Even though he loved basketball, Nelson’s baseball skills started catching the eyes of pro scouts. In 1959, during his senior season, Chicago Cubs officials showed up to watch him play.

After a game in Freeburg, Cubs officials asked him to run the 60-yard dash. He clocked in at 6.8 seconds, which definitely kept the scouts interested.

Family and Personal Origins

The Mathews family had deep roots in Columbia, Illinois. Nelson’s dad worked for the railroad, just like a lot of folks in their working-class community.

After his father died, Nelson’s mom became the main support at home. They didn’t have much, so Nelson learned early on that hard work and perseverance mattered.

Their tough circumstances pushed Nelson to succeed in sports. For him, athletics was more than just fun—it was a possible ticket to a better life.

Columbia was a tight-knit place, and people there watched Nelson’s athletic achievements closely. He became kind of a local celebrity, especially after his high school sports success.

Growing up in Columbia taught Nelson about determination and resilience. That mix of natural talent and motivation from tough times helped shape the young athlete who would eventually sign with the Chicago Cubs.

Entry Into Professional Baseball

The Chicago Cubs signed Nelson Elmer Mathews as an amateur free agent in 1959. The young outfielder from Columbia, Illinois, made his major league debut just a year later in 1960, at 19.

Signing with the Chicago Cubs

The Cubs noticed Mathews’ potential during his high school years at Columbia High. In 1959, they brought the 18-year-old into their organization as an amateur free agent.

For Mathews, this was a huge opportunity. At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, he had a pretty intimidating presence on the field.

He batted and threw right-handed, and Cubs scouts liked his athleticism. The Cubs’ decision to sign him paid off quickly.

Within just a year, Mathews made his major league debut. That kind of fast track from high school to the pros showed both his talent and the Cubs’ belief in him.

Minor League Development

After the Cubs signed him, Mathews spent some time in the minors, working on his game. The Cubs organization wanted to get him ready for the big leagues during the 1959 season.

His minor league stint was short—most prospects spend a few years down there, but Mathews moved up fast. The Cubs must’ve really wanted to see what he could do at the top level.

The team called him up in September 1960. Mathews debuted on September 9 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, just 19 years old. That started his six-year major league career, running from 1960 to 1965.

Major League Career Highlights

Nelson Mathews played six seasons in the majors, from 1960 to 1965. He started as a promising teenage prospect with the Cubs and later became a regular outfielder for the Kansas City Athletics.

He moved through both the National League and American League, learning the ropes as a center fielder and getting used to different team systems.

Debut and Initial Years

Mathews made his major league debut on September 9, 1960, with the Cubs—just 19 years old. In his first game against Pittsburgh, he got a hit in his only at-bat.

Those first years were tough. Like a lot of young players, he struggled to adjust to major league pitching.

In 1960, he played three games and hit .250. The next year, he played three more games but hit just .111, going 1-for-9 and striking out twice.

Tenure with the Chicago Cubs

Mathews had his best season with the Cubs in 1962, appearing in 15 games. He hit .306 with two home runs and 13 RBIs, showing what he could do when things clicked.

That year, he put up a .393 on-base percentage and a .469 slugging percentage. Not bad for a guy still figuring things out.

But 1963 was rough. He played 61 games but hit just .155, striking out 48 times in 155 at-bats.

Over his four seasons with Chicago, Mathews hit .190 in 82 games. Limited chances and uneven results eventually led to his exit from the team.

Trade and Transition to Kansas City Athletics

The Kansas City Athletics picked up Mathews for the 1964 season. With Kansas City, he finally got some regular playing time.

In 1964, Mathews played in 157 games and had 573 at-bats, both career highs. He hit .239 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs, mostly playing center field.

His last season came in 1965. He played 67 games for Kansas City, and on July 18, he played his final major league game against the White Sox, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.

In two seasons with the Athletics, Mathews hit .232 with 16 home runs and 75 RBIs over 224 games. That was his most productive stretch in the majors.

Performance and Statistics

Across six MLB seasons, Nelson Mathews put up a career batting average of .223, with 22 home runs and 98 RBIs in 306 games. He handled himself well defensively, especially in center field, where he took care of 400 chances during his busy 1964 season.

Batting Achievements

Mathews hit his stride offensively in 1962 with the Cubs, batting .306 with 2 home runs and 13 RBIs in just 15 games.

His best full season came in 1964 for Kansas City. He played 157 games, notched 137 hits, 14 home runs, and 60 RBIs.

Career Batting Stats:

• Batting Average: .223
• Home Runs: 22
• RBIs: 98
• Hits: 218
• Runs Scored: 93

Strikeouts were a problem for him. He struck out 248 times in 978 at-bats. His .288 on-base percentage shows he struggled to get on base consistently.

Fielding Contributions

Mathews mostly played center and right field during his MLB years. His fielding percentage was solid across different positions.

In 1964, he handled 400 chances in center with a .968 fielding percentage. He logged 381 putouts, 6 assists, and made 13 errors.

His range factor in center that year was 2.63 per nine innings, a bit above the league average of 2.45. That suggests he covered more ground than most.

Fielding Highlights:

• 1964 Center Field: 154 games, .968 fielding percentage
• Career Outfield: 306 games
• Position Flexibility: Center field, right field

Career Milestones and Notable Games

Mathews stepped onto a major league field for the first time on September 9, 1960, with the Cubs. He got a hit in his first at-bat against the Pirates.

His last MLB game was on July 18, 1965, against the White Sox. He went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.

His best offensive run came in 1962 with a .862 OPS in 57 plate appearances.

The 1964 season was his only year as a regular starter. He played 157 games and racked up 620 plate appearances for Kansas City.

Advanced Metrics and Analysis

Mathews finished his career with a WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of -0.7. That number says a lot—he struggled to stand out among his peers.

His best season, WAR-wise, came in 1962 when he managed a 0.4. When you look at his OPS+, a 78 for his career, you see he hit about 22% below league average.

As an outfielder, he posted a .359 slugging percentage, so there wasn’t much power in his bat.

Advanced Statistics:

• Career WAR: -0.7
• OPS+: 78 (22% below average)
• Slugging Percentage: .359
• On-Base Plus Slugging: .647

These stats really show how tough it was for Mathews to adjust to major league pitching. In 1964, he struck out 143 times—almost a quarter of his plate appearances.

Retirement and Later Life

Mathews wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1967, stepping away after injuries got the better of him. His last major league game happened in 1965.

He headed back to Columbia, Illinois, and landed a job at Wonder Bread. He stuck with that gig for thirty years, and even kept playing baseball in local leagues for fun.

Decision to Retire in 1965

Mathews’ major league run basically ended on July 18, 1965, against the Chicago White Sox. That day, he went 2-for-4, hit a home run, and drove in two runs in what turned out to be his final appearance in the majors.

After that, the Kansas City Athletics sent him to Triple-A, and things just never picked back up for his professional career.

“Then they just sent me to Triple A, those son-of-a-bucks,” Mathews remembered. The Athletics traded him to the Phillies organization in 1966, but he never got another shot at the majors.

Injuries finally made him call it quits in 1967. He was only 26—pretty young to be done after six seasons in the big leagues.

Activities After Professional Baseball

When Mathews retired, he went back to Columbia, Illinois. He started working for Wonder Bread in 1967 and stayed there for three decades, finally retiring in 1997.

He didn’t hang up his glove entirely, though. He played in the Mon-Clair League for Columbia for 12 years and even snagged a batting title in 1976.

“We’d play a doubleheader every Sunday and drink beer after,” Mathews said. “We had a good time.”

Mathews also took up coaching, sharing his baseball knowledge with his sons until they hit high school. He felt especially proud when his son TJ made it to the majors as a pitcher, debuting with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1995.

Legacy as a Retired Professional Baseball Player

Mathews’ legacy stretches far beyond his stats. Even decades after retiring, he still hears from baseball fans who ask him to sign cards.

“I still get baseball cards in the mail from people all over asking for me to sign them,” Mathews said. He keeps signing them, always happy to connect with folks who remember his playing days.

Baseball changed a lot after Mathews’ time, especially when it comes to player pensions. Because of rules set in 1980, he doesn’t get a traditional pension. Players from 1947-79 who didn’t reach four years of service get smaller, nonqualified retirement payments instead.

“I guess I was born 50 years too early for this game,” Mathews said, reflecting on how much the sport’s finances have changed.

He keeps his advice to young athletes simple: “If you like to play it, give it all you got. I’d do everything I could to get to the majors with what they make now.”

Personal Legacy and Impact

Nelson Elmer Mathews left a real mark on baseball, especially through his family and his community involvement. His son, T.J. Mathews, followed him to the majors, which makes for a pretty cool father-son baseball story.

Recognition in Baseball Communities

Mathews earned respect in baseball circles during his five-year major league career from 1960 to 1965. As a right-handed centerfielder, he brought a steady presence to the field.

The Kansas City Athletics appreciated what he brought as an outfielder. He hit 22 career home runs, spreading them out across lots of different game situations.

He managed to homer off 21 different pitchers in his career, showing he could handle a variety of pitching styles.

Baseball reference books and databases still keep track of his stats. His records remain a part of major league history from the early 1960s.

Family Connections to Major League Baseball

T.J. Mathews, Nelson’s son, made his own name in the majors. That father-son connection isn’t something you see every day in baseball.

The Mathews family proves that baseball skills and passion can pass from one generation to the next. T.J. followed the same path, finding his own success.

Nelson probably started influencing T.J.’s career when he was just a kid in Columbia, Illinois. That same hometown shaped both of their early baseball journeys.

Having two Mathews in the major league record books adds another layer to Nelson’s story. Their names pop up in different decades, but it’s all part of the same family legacy.

Influence on Future Generations

Nelson Mathews’ story, coming out of Columbia, Illinois, shows young players that it’s possible to reach the majors from a small town. His path from Columbia High School to professional baseball is proof.

He played during the early 1960s, a time that helped shape modern baseball. Players from that era paved the way for what the sport is today.

Researchers and baseball historians still use his stats. His grand slam moments and overall offensive numbers are recorded for anyone who wants to look them up.

Columbia, Illinois can point to Nelson Mathews as someone who made it to the top of professional sports. He’s a reminder that dedication can take you pretty far, no matter where you start out.

References and Data Sources

Nelson Mathews’ baseball career statistics and biographical details come from a handful of key baseball record-keeping groups. Baseball-Reference is the go-to for his stats, and Retrosheet offers game-by-game data from his playing days.

Baseball-Reference and Retrosheet

Baseball-Reference keeps the most detailed stats from Mathews’ six-year career, 1960 to 1965. You can find his full batting numbers: .223 career average, 22 home runs, and 98 RBIs in 306 games.

The site tracks his rise from a teenage prospect with the Cubs to his last season with the Kansas City Athletics. His debut on September 9, 1960, at age 19, sits right there next to his final game on July 18, 1965.

Retrosheet offers up game-by-game logs and fielding data for Mathews. They focus on play-by-play records from baseball’s modern era, showing details like his 1965 numbers over 67 games.

Other Historical Records

The Baseball Almanac gives extra context with game logs and seasonal breakdowns. You can use these records to check career milestones or double-check stats if you’re curious.

Baseball Cube lists his birth date as July 21, 1941, in Columbia, Illinois. They also keep track of his minor league stats and details from his amateur days.

Several baseball databases list his height and weight at 6-4 and 195 pounds. They note his playing positions too, which helps fill in the details of his short, but well-documented, major league career.