Finding His Niche
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by user Bobbyjim45
Maybe all he needed was a fresh start. Maybe he needed a hitter’s ball park. Maybe he needed regular playing time. Maybe he needed respect from his team and fans. Whatever it was that Gary Matthews Jr. needed to come into his own, he’s found it this year with Texas.
Up until 2003, Matthews was playing the role of a typical MLB journeyman but always seemed to have more than he would put on display. He had the tools and the pedigree, but seemed unable to live up to his potential. After entering the big leagues in 1999, he bounced around from San Diego to Chicago (the Cubs) to Pittsburgh to New York (the Mets) to Baltimore then back to San Diego in the middle of 2003. He was nothing more than a .250 hitter with no power who could play the field pretty well but couldn’t do much after that. On the base paths he was nothing special either with his highest single season total of steals being 15 in 2002.
But then he went off to Texas for the 2004 season. In just 87 games that year, he hit a respectable .275 and 11 homers, much better than his career had been to that point. Then in 2005, Matthews, along with the rest of his Rangers teammates, struggled. In 131 games, he hit a measly .255, but did hit 17 homers, easily setting a new career high. However, he still wasn’t given the opportunity to be the team’s regular center fielder.
Now, in 2006, Matthews has finally become one of the top center fielders in the game; a place he was destined to fill. He’s also become a premier leadoff man in the MLB, playing everyday for the Rangers. Matthews has hit an astonishing .321, .60 points higher than his .261 career average. And you know it’s not over-inflated because he has a .373 OBP and .517 SLG to go along with it. He’s also provided 13 homers and 60 RBI for this Rangers offense that has figured out a way to make up for its inept pitching. Matthews is flying all over the field, making great catches and helping his team win ballgames. He’s become a leader on the field and is even getting attention from those outside Arlington.
Now as the Rangers look to contend in the AL West, they will lean on Matthews even more to help them win. It appears that in Texas, Gary Matthews Jr. is finally finding his niche.
Date
Sat 08/12/06, 6:21 pm EST
