Fragmentsofme
11-26-2003, 05:36 PM
Braves claim Matthews Jr.
Outfielder is son of former Brave Gary Matthews
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- While Gary Sheffield's future remains in doubt, the Braves know they will have at least one guy named Gary competing for a spot in their outfield when Spring Training begins.
With their first offseason acquisition, the Braves claimed Gary Matthews, Jr. off waivers on Monday afternoon. This will be the eighth stop for the 29-year-old outfielder who made his Major League debut with the Padres in 1999.
If the Braves are unable to lure Sheffield back to Atlanta, Matthews will compete with Ryan Langerhans and other possible free agent acquisitions for a starting outfield spot.
Matthews hit .248 with six homers and 42 RBIs while playing for the Orioles and Padres last year. During his journeyman career, he has compiled a .242 batting average and 31 homers.
After hitting .204 in 41 games with the Orioles, Matthews was claimed off waivers on May 23 by the Padres. In 103 games with San Diego, he hit .271 with four homers and was successful in 12 of 17 stolen base attempts.
One of Matthews' six homers this year came off Braves reliever Roberto Hernandez in the Padres' 14-4 win Aug. 12 at Turner Field.
Matthews, who was a 13th-round selection by the Padres in the 1993 First-Year Player Draft, moved from San Diego to the Cubs, where he played during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Midway through the 2001 season, in which he hit a career-best 14 homers, he was sent to the Pirates.
Over the past two seasons, Matthews has made two stops in Baltimore, experienced a two-game stint with the Mets and finally returned to San Diego.
Matthews' father, who shares the same name, was one of Ted Turner's first free agent acquisitions. In four seasons (1977-80) with the Braves, the elder Matthews hit 81 homers. He produced a career-best 27 home runs during his 1979 All-Star campaign.
Hope he's good enough to find a permanent home in the ATL. He's seems speedy with a bit of pop in his bat, if he gets stable playing time.
Outfielder is son of former Brave Gary Matthews
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- While Gary Sheffield's future remains in doubt, the Braves know they will have at least one guy named Gary competing for a spot in their outfield when Spring Training begins.
With their first offseason acquisition, the Braves claimed Gary Matthews, Jr. off waivers on Monday afternoon. This will be the eighth stop for the 29-year-old outfielder who made his Major League debut with the Padres in 1999.
If the Braves are unable to lure Sheffield back to Atlanta, Matthews will compete with Ryan Langerhans and other possible free agent acquisitions for a starting outfield spot.
Matthews hit .248 with six homers and 42 RBIs while playing for the Orioles and Padres last year. During his journeyman career, he has compiled a .242 batting average and 31 homers.
After hitting .204 in 41 games with the Orioles, Matthews was claimed off waivers on May 23 by the Padres. In 103 games with San Diego, he hit .271 with four homers and was successful in 12 of 17 stolen base attempts.
One of Matthews' six homers this year came off Braves reliever Roberto Hernandez in the Padres' 14-4 win Aug. 12 at Turner Field.
Matthews, who was a 13th-round selection by the Padres in the 1993 First-Year Player Draft, moved from San Diego to the Cubs, where he played during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Midway through the 2001 season, in which he hit a career-best 14 homers, he was sent to the Pirates.
Over the past two seasons, Matthews has made two stops in Baltimore, experienced a two-game stint with the Mets and finally returned to San Diego.
Matthews' father, who shares the same name, was one of Ted Turner's first free agent acquisitions. In four seasons (1977-80) with the Braves, the elder Matthews hit 81 homers. He produced a career-best 27 home runs during his 1979 All-Star campaign.
Hope he's good enough to find a permanent home in the ATL. He's seems speedy with a bit of pop in his bat, if he gets stable playing time.