Jon Matlack: Mets Team Hall of Fame Inductee (Part One:1971 - 1973)
His middle name, is a tribute his mothers maiden name, honoring the family's Dutch ancestry that dates back to Saugerties, New York in the 1700's.
On July 18th, he went up against Al Santorini in St. Louis allowing five earned runs in 6.2 innings of work taking his first loss.
On July 28th, Matlack would take another loss to the Cardinals, this time at Shea Stadium to Steve Carlton giving up three runs in 1.2 innings of work at Shea Stadium.
In seven appearances he was 0-3 with a 4.14 ERA & ready for 1972.
On April 23rd, Jon pitched four innings in relief of Gentry again in a win over the Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium, earning his first career win. In the bottom of the 8th inning he came to bat & collected an RBI single off Larry Gura.
On May 3rd in San Francisco, although he gave up four runs to the Giants the Mets supported him with eight runs as he earned his third win to get to 3-0. Jon also drove in his second run of the year with an RBI single in the Mets four run 8th inning.
Complete Game Win: On May 20th at Veterans Stadium, Matlack pitched a complete game, one run five hit performance earning the 3-1 victory over the Phillies. He struck out five walked one beating Woodie Fryman to get to 5-0 keeping a 2.22 ERA.
Three Hit Shut Out: On May 30th, he pitched a three-hit shutout over the Phillies at Shea Stadium, striking out six while walking five, besting his record to 6-0 with a 1.95 ERA. Rusty Staub went 4-4 in the game with four RBIs in the 7-0 win. It was Matlack's first career shut out.
On June 25th, he struck out a season high nine batters in a loss to the Cardinals. Jon would strike out nine or more batters in a game five five times on the season.
Two tough no decisions followed, the first was a nine inning, one run performance in L.A. where he gave up ten hits. The only run Matlack gave up was unearned, as Jim Fregosi made an error at third base on rookie Bobby Valentines grounder, that led to a run. The Dodgers won the game on a walk off HR by Frank Robinson.
Complete Game Win: On August 21st at Shea, he beat the Astros collecting his sixth complete game of the year & his 11th win, a 4-2 victory where he struck out eight & walked three.
On September 23rd in Philadelphia, he won his second straight complete game, although he gave up three runs, they were all unearned as errors by Teddy Martinez & Wayne Garrett led to the scoring..
Relationship With Roberto Clemente: Prior to the 1972 season, Matlack had met Roberto Clemente playing winter ball in San Juan. Clemente invited some of the American Players, including Matlack back to his home. Matlack was in awe, as Celemente showed the guests one of his large bats in his trophy room.
When Clemente got the land mark hit, Matlack was unaware it was 3000. Clemente reached second base & just raised his hat to the 17,000 plus fans who actually knew what the hit meant.
Rookie of Year Award: That season Matlack became the first Mets player to win a Rookie of the Year Award. He was also named to the Topps All Star Rookie team. His addition to a pitching staff that already included Tom Seaver & Jerry Koosman had a lot of teams taking notice.
Matlack finished the 1972 season 15-10 (7th most wins in the NL) with a team leading 2.32 ERA (4th in the league). He also led the talented Mets staff, with four shut outs (sixth most in the NL), while throwing eight complete games and posting 169 strikeouts (tenth most in the NL) pitching in 244 innings, walking 71 batters.
On April 13th, on his second start he was beat up for a season high six runs in just four innings of work. Jon gave up seven hits led by Deron Johnson's three run HR at Philadelphia.
On April 18th, he lost a 1-0 heart breaker to the Chicago Cubs as Ray Burris & Jack Aker shut out the Mets 1-0. The only run of the game came in the 1st inning when Matlack threw a wild pitch that allowed Cleo James to score.
Incredibly, after suffering the horrible injury, Matlack returned to the mound eleven days later.
Return to the Mound: On May 19th, in his return to the mound, Matlack threw six shutout innings at Shea Stadium, shutting striking out six Pirates. The Mets went on to lose the game 4-1 with Matlack getting a no decision.
On the West Coast Road trip, he lost games in Los Angeles where he gave up five runs & San Francisco where he gave up three runs.
Matlack lost his next two starts giving up four runs to the Phillies at the Vet & three runs to the Cubs at Shea. The reigning Rookie of the Year was now 4-10 with double figures in losses. The Mets were 30-35 nine games back of the Cubs in first place. Injuries had taken its toll on the team & it would be two more months before things turned around.
Trivia: It was the first of two Mets career one hitters he would toss. Up to that point in time, it was the tenth one hitter thrown in franchise history.
Then from August 3rd until September 22nd, Matlack was brilliant, going 7-1 with a 2.81 ERA pitching five complete games, with three shut outs. He struck out nine batters or more in six of eleven games.
On August 3rd at Shea, Matlack struck out a season high eleven batters, in a complete game 7-4 win over the Cardinals. In the game Willie Mays hit career HR #659 & he would hit just one more HR in his career.
From August 18th thru September 22nd, Matlack went 5-0 winning five straight decisions, striking out 49 batters in 53.1 innings with a 3.21 ERA.
In that game Tug McGraw earned his second save in as many games. After struggling mightily up until that week, Tug had now made his famous "You Gotta Believe" speech & would go on to save 12 straight games going 4-0 thru the rest of the regular season.
Five days later on September 12th, Matlack etched out a 3-2-win beating Wayne Twitchell in Philadelphia while striking out nine Phillies. At this point the Mets had moved up to just 2.5 games out of first place, in a five-team race.
On September 18th, at Three Rivers Stadium, the Mets were down 4-1, when they rallied for five runs in the top of the 9th inning, to beat the first place Pirates. Felix Millan collected a two run triple, with an RBI single from Ron Hodges & a two run single from Don Hahn. Matlack took no decision against the first place Pirates.
On September 30th, after four days of rain in Chicago, the Mets were scheduled for a twin bill at Wrigley Field, with a chance to clinch the division.
1973 Post Season- NLCS: In the NLCS win over the Reds Jon Matlack got the start in a very important Game #2. The Mets had lost Game #1 on a 9th inning walk off HR by Johnny Bench coming off Tom Seaver who held the Reds to two runs & drove in the only run of the 2-1 loss.
The Reds veteran, Andy Kosco, got both Reds hits & also drew a walk. Darrel Chaney also reached base twice, drawing two walks. Kosco & Chaney were the only Reds to reach base that day.
1973 World Series: Matlack would get three starts in the 1973 World Series loss to the Oaklnad A's.
Matlack came back to pitch Game #4 at Shea Stadium, with the Mets down in the series two games to one. It was a chilly 48 degree night in New York.
Quotes- Jon Matlack: "My shoulder started getting stiff from the sixth inning on, it was very cold out there. It even took me longer than usual to warm up before the game".
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Yogi Berra's Questionable Decision: For Game #6 Met manager Yogi Berra chose to start Tom Seaver on three days rest over a well-rested George Stone. That year Stone had gone 12-3 with a 2.80 ERA & had only made a relief appearance in Game #2 of the World Series.
A tired Jon Matlack was called upon to pitch the final Game #7 on three day’s rest on Sunday afternoon as Stone was passed up again. It turned out to be the worst post season outing Matlack had.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Bert Campaneris & Reggie Jackson both hit two run HRs putting the game way early. Matlack allowed four runs on four hits in 2.3 innings pitched. Ken Hottzman Rollie Fingers & Darold Knowles held New York to a run on eight hits to win their second straight World Series title.
Matlack was yet another good pitching prospect developed by the Mets in the late 1960s, early 1970s period.
#1 Draft Pick: He was the Mets number-one selection, in the June 1967 draft, the fourth pick overall. The Mets didn’t rush him; he was brought up slowly because the Mets were loaded with good pitching in those days. This certainly helped his development along the way as he posted three straight winning seasons with double figures at the AAA level.
In 1969 as the Amazing Mets were winning the World Series, Jon Matlack was going 14-7 at AAA Tidewater. He followed up in 1970 with a 12-11 season striking out 146 batters in 183 innings.
#1 Draft Pick: He was the Mets number-one selection, in the June 1967 draft, the fourth pick overall. The Mets didn’t rush him; he was brought up slowly because the Mets were loaded with good pitching in those days. This certainly helped his development along the way as he posted three straight winning seasons with double figures at the AAA level.
In 1969 as the Amazing Mets were winning the World Series, Jon Matlack was going 14-7 at AAA Tidewater. He followed up in 1970 with a 12-11 season striking out 146 batters in 183 innings.
1971 Season: 
In 1971 Matlack was 11-7, tied for third in wins with Don Rose, behind Jim Bibby (15) & Buzz Capra (13). That's how talented those Mets minor leagues were in those days. Overall, he posted a 3.97 ERA, striking out 145 batters in 152 innings.
Mets Career: Jon was brought up midway through the 1971 season debuting on July 11th, at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium. He pitched seven innings, allowing two runs, including a solo HR to Tony Perez while earning no decision in the Mets 5-3 loss.
In 1971 Matlack was 11-7, tied for third in wins with Don Rose, behind Jim Bibby (15) & Buzz Capra (13). That's how talented those Mets minor leagues were in those days. Overall, he posted a 3.97 ERA, striking out 145 batters in 152 innings.
Mets Career: Jon was brought up midway through the 1971 season debuting on July 11th, at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium. He pitched seven innings, allowing two runs, including a solo HR to Tony Perez while earning no decision in the Mets 5-3 loss.
On July 28th, Matlack would take another loss to the Cardinals, this time at Shea Stadium to Steve Carlton giving up three runs in 1.2 innings of work at Shea Stadium.
Matlack spent another month down at AAA Tidewater before returning in September.
On September 15th, he finished off a 6-2 loss to the Cubs at Shea in a relief appearance.
In his last appearance of the year, he made a start against the soon to be World Champion Pirates at Shea. He allowed just one run in eight innings of work but earned no decision as Bob Johnson held the Mets to a run in nine innings. In the bottom of the 15th, Bob Aspromonte won the game with a walk off single.
During spring training 1972 Mets manager Gil Hodges suddenly passed away from a fatal heart attack. The organization was devastated, Yogi Berra the popular choice was named manager over other candidates like Whitey Herzog.
Soon Matlack would become one of Yogi's personal favorites as he got to see him start off his brilliant career.
1972 Rookie of the Year Season: Matlack started out the year in the bullpen. On April 16th, he relieved Gary Gentry in the second game of the season, pitching the final two innings of a 2-0 loss to Pittsburgh.
From there on he then went right into the Mets starting rotation, making a start on April 28th, in Los Angeles. He threw a one run hit victory beating the Dodgers 6-1.
On May 3rd in San Francisco, although he gave up four runs to the Giants the Mets supported him with eight runs as he earned his third win to get to 3-0. Jon also drove in his second run of the year with an RBI single in the Mets four run 8th inning.
On May 10th at Shea, he took a no decision in a 4-3 Mets win over the Dodgers, where he went head-to-head with Al Downing for nine innings. Teddy Martinez won the game with a walk off single.
On May 15th, he pitched 8.1 innings at Shea, allowing two earned runs beating the Montreal Expos5-3. Matlack pitched into the 9th inning, after the first out he gave up back to back singles & was relieved by Danny Frisella. Frisella gave up an RBI single to Jim Fairey then retired the last two outs.
Complete Game Win: On May 20th at Veterans Stadium, Matlack pitched a complete game, one run five hit performance earning the 3-1 victory over the Phillies. He struck out five walked one beating Woodie Fryman to get to 5-0 keeping a 2.22 ERA. Three Hit Shut Out: On May 30th, he pitched a three-hit shutout over the Phillies at Shea Stadium, striking out six while walking five, besting his record to 6-0 with a 1.95 ERA. Rusty Staub went 4-4 in the game with four RBIs in the 7-0 win. It was Matlack's first career shut out.
From June 4th thru June 25th Jon lost four of five decisions, although he gave up 13 earned runs in 30 innings for a 3.90 ERA in the five games his season ERA was still 2.57.
On June 4th at Shea, Matlack didn't make it out of the 3rd inning, as the Braves nailed him for a season high five runs giving him his first loss of the year.
On June 9th at Shea, Jon had picked off the Astros Jimmy Wynn at first base but an error by Cleon Jones playing first base that game led to Wynn being safe then scoring a run. Then the Astros Larry Howard hit a two run HR, as Jon took the 4-2 loss to Bob Forsch.
One Run in 36 Innings: From July 12th through July 27th, Matlack gave up just one earned run in four straight starts in 36.1 innings of work. In that time he went 2-0 with two no decisions posting a 0.25 ERA.
Four Hit Shut Out: On July 12th, Matlack pitched a four-hit shutout, against the Giants at Shea Stadium, beating Sudden Sam McDowell. Jon struck out nine batters matching his season high.
On July 22nd, in San Francisco, Matlack pitched an eighth inning, one run performance, but the Mets lost the game on a reliever Danny Frisella's wild pitch in the bottom of the 9th inning allowing Chris Speier to score.
Four Hit Shut Out: In the first game of a July 27th double header in Pittsburgh, Matlack tossed a ten inning, four hit, shutout against the reigning World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. Jon out dueled, Nelson Briles with the Mets winning the game 1-0 on Wayne Garrett's 9th inning walk off RBI sac fly. Matlack was 10-5 posting a 2.08 ERA at that point, impressing everyone in the league.
Matlack began August, with no decisions over the Pirates & Cubs although he allowed two runs or less in each game.
In his next two starts he gave up four runs each time, taking a loss & no decision.
On September 4th, at Wrigley Field, the Mets were shut out by Fergie Jenkins. Matlack gave up HRs to Ron Santo & Carman Fanzone, while matching his season high nine Ks.
On September 8th, in the first game of a Shea twin bill, he allowed a season high 12 hits but just two runs scored as he beat the Cardinals 8-2 for his 12th victory.
On September 13th, the Phillies knocked Jon out of the game by the 4th inning, as he gave up five runs (four earned) at Veterans Stadium.
Back to Back Complete Games: On September 18th, he out dueled the Pirates Nelson Briles in a 1-0 complete game shutout, over the first place Pirates. It was his fourth shut out & seventh complete game of the season. The Mets won the game on Duffy Dyer's walk off single scoring Rusty Staub.
Trivia- Roberto Clemente's 3000th Hit: On September 30th 1972 season, in a 5-3 win at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Matlack went into the history books albeit on the wrong side of a pitch. In the bottom of the 4th inning, he served up a double to Roberto Clemente, which was Clemente's 3000th hit.
It was also the last hit of Clemente’s career, as he would tragically be killed in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve later that year. Clemente was delivering supplies to earthquake victims on Nicaragua.
When Clemente got the land mark hit, Matlack was unaware it was 3000. Clemente reached second base & just raised his hat to the 17,000 plus fans who actually knew what the hit meant.
Rookie of Year Award: That season Matlack became the first Mets player to win a Rookie of the Year Award. He was also named to the Topps All Star Rookie team. His addition to a pitching staff that already included Tom Seaver & Jerry Koosman had a lot of teams taking notice.Matlack finished the 1972 season 15-10 (7th most wins in the NL) with a team leading 2.32 ERA (4th in the league). He also led the talented Mets staff, with four shut outs (sixth most in the NL), while throwing eight complete games and posting 169 strikeouts (tenth most in the NL) pitching in 244 innings, walking 71 batters.
1973 Mets Pennant Season: In the 1973 Mets pennant season, Matlack like the rest of the team struggled at the start.
On April 7th, he started in the second game of the season beating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2. He allowed just four hits in nine innings of work. The Mets won the game in the bottom of the 9th when Willie Mays singled in the walk off win against former Met Dick Selma.
On April 18th, he lost a 1-0 heart breaker to the Chicago Cubs as Ray Burris & Jack Aker shut out the Mets 1-0. The only run of the game came in the 1st inning when Matlack threw a wild pitch that allowed Cleo James to score.
After a loss in Houston, where he gave up four runs he fell to 1-3 with a 4.21 ERA.
On April 28th, he then beat the Braves in Atlanta, in a seven inning two run performance, where he walked two & struck out nine. Matlack would strike out nine or more batters eight times on the season. On May 3rd, the Big Red Machine got him for five runs in a 6-5 loss.
Hit In the Head with a Line Drive: On May 8th, at Shea Stadium in a game against Atlanta, Braves, Matlack suffered an ugly scary injury.
In the top of the 7th inning, with two men on & the Mets leading 3-1, Shortstop Marty Perez lined a shot back to the mound, that hit Matlack in the fore head. He fell to the ground, holding his hands over his face. The line drive fractured his skull.
The play resulted in a double that tied the game. Matlack was carried off the field in a stretcher and it was feared his season was over, or maybe even worse.
Incredibly, after suffering the horrible injury, Matlack returned to the mound eleven days later.
Return to the Mound: On May 19th, in his return to the mound, Matlack threw six shutout innings at Shea Stadium, shutting striking out six Pirates. The Mets went on to lose the game 4-1 with Matlack getting a no decision.On the West Coast Road trip, he lost games in Los Angeles where he gave up five runs & San Francisco where he gave up three runs.
On June 4th, in Cincinnati, Matlack walked a season high eight batters as he gave up four runs taking his eighth loss of the year to find himself at 2-8 with a 4.55 ERA at the start of June.
Back to Back Complete Game Wins: Matlack then won two games, as the West Coast teams came to Shea for a Mets homestand. On June 9th, he beat Al Downing & the Dodgers 4-2 allowing just one run in nine innings of work. On June 15th, Jon beat Steve Arlin & the Padres 5-2 in his second straight complete game win, his fourth of the season.
Matlack lost his next two starts giving up four runs to the Phillies at the Vet & three runs to the Cubs at Shea. The reigning Rookie of the Year was now 4-10 with double figures in losses. The Mets were 30-35 nine games back of the Cubs in first place. Injuries had taken its toll on the team & it would be two more months before things turned around.Complete Game Win: On June 30th at Wrigley Field, Matlack allowed one run, struck out seven & walked three in a five hit complete game victory for his fifth win. In the pitchers duel he beat the Cubs Burt Hooton.
On July 5th, Matlack gave up three runs in Montreal but all three runs were un earned. The Mets put up seven runs supporting him for his second straight win.
One Hitter: On July 10th, in the first game of a twi-night double header with the Astros in front 19,942 fans at Shea Stadium, Matlack pitched a spectacular one hit 1-0 shutout over Houston's Jerry Ruess. The only hit the Astros collected was a 6th inning double, from short stop Tommy Helms.
From July 15th thru July 30th, Matlack lost four straight starts, he gave up 15 runs (13 earned) in 28 innings for a 4.18 ERA.
On July 15th he gave up just two runs to the Reds in Cincinnati over seven innings but took his 11th loss of the year as Ross Grimsley held the Mets to a run in a complete game win. His next two starts were terrible as he gave up five earned runs in each game of a road trip in St. Louis & Houston to fall to 7-13 on the year.
Five Straight Complete Games: On July 30th in the first of a twin bill at Shea against the Expos, Matlack took another hard luck loss. He & Steve Rogers both pitched eight shutout innings, until two former Mets won the game for Montreal as Ron Hunt singled to start the inning & then Ken Singleton doubled in the only run of a 1-0 loss.
Then from August 3rd until September 22nd, Matlack was brilliant, going 7-1 with a 2.81 ERA pitching five complete games, with three shut outs. He struck out nine batters or more in six of eleven games.
On August 3rd at Shea, Matlack struck out a season high eleven batters, in a complete game 7-4 win over the Cardinals. In the game Willie Mays hit career HR #659 & he would hit just one more HR in his career.Two Hit Shut Out: On August 8th at Dodger Stadium, Matlack threw his tenth complete game of the year, as he struck out nine Dodgers. He pitched a two-hit shutout in another 1-0 squeaker beating Andy Messersmith who held the Mets to just one run. Jerry Grote's 2nd inning RBI single was the only run of the game.
The only two Dodger hits that night, came from Willie Davis & Manny Mota. After Mota's 4th inning hit Matlack retired the last 18 batters of the game.
On August 13th in San Diego, he struck out ten batters, reaching double digits in K's for the second time on the season, as he gave up three runs & took his 15th loss of the season.
The only two Dodger hits that night, came from Willie Davis & Manny Mota. After Mota's 4th inning hit Matlack retired the last 18 batters of the game.
On August 13th in San Diego, he struck out ten batters, reaching double digits in K's for the second time on the season, as he gave up three runs & took his 15th loss of the season.
From August 18th thru September 22nd, Matlack went 5-0 winning five straight decisions, striking out 49 batters in 53.1 innings with a 3.21 ERA.On August 18th, although Matlack gave up ten hits for the fourth time on the year, he only allowed one run to score as he won his tenth game of the season coming in a 12-1 walloping of the Reds at Shea Stadium. The Mets collected sixteen hits in the game with John Milner hitting a grand slam & Matlack collecting an RBI single as well.
After a no decision, where he drove in a run in his second straight game, his next win came on August 28th, where he got more run support as the Mets put up eight runs in the 8-6 win.
Mets September Pennant Run: After being in last place at the end of August, as well as 12 games under .500 the Mets team went 23-9 the rest of the regular season. After suffering thru injuries, the team was healthy & all came together at once.
On September 7th, Matlack won yet another 1-0 game. This time beating former Mets prospect Steve Renko in Montreal. Matlack pitched into the 9th inning, striking out seven along the way. Tug McGraw helped out with his 17th save, getting Mike Jorgensen to ground into a double play.
On September 18th, at Three Rivers Stadium, the Mets were down 4-1, when they rallied for five runs in the top of the 9th inning, to beat the first place Pirates. Felix Millan collected a two run triple, with an RBI single from Ron Hodges & a two run single from Don Hahn. Matlack took no decision against the first place Pirates.
The win brought the Mets to within 2.5 games of Pittsburgh, with the Expos & Cardinals also ahead of them.
Four Hit Shut Out: On September 22nd, Matlack did all to eliminate the Cardinals from the pennant race, when he pitched a 2-0 four hit shut over St. Louis at Shea Stadium. That night the Mets sat up in first place in the NL East & would hold that lead, clinching the NL Eastern Division on the last day of the season.
On September 30th, after four days of rain in Chicago, the Mets were scheduled for a twin bill at Wrigley Field, with a chance to clinch the division.In the first game, Matlack lost a 1-0 heart breaker when Ron Santo singled home Dave Rosello in the 8th inning for the winning run. Rick Reuschel & Bob Locker shut down the Mets scoreless.
The Mets clinched at least a tie for the division winning the second game of the double header. They then won the first game of another scheduled twin bill the next day at Wrigley. They did have to play the nightcap as they were NL Eastern Champs.
1973 Stats: Matlack finished the year at 14-16, second on the staff (tied with Jerry Koosman) behind Tom Seaver in wins. He struck out 205 batters (3rd in the league), and his strikeout per nine inning ratio (7.6) was also third best in the N.L.
1973 Stats: Matlack finished the year at 14-16, second on the staff (tied with Jerry Koosman) behind Tom Seaver in wins. He struck out 205 batters (3rd in the league), and his strikeout per nine inning ratio (7.6) was also third best in the N.L.
Matlack made 34 starts, pitched 242 innings, with 14 complete games (4th in the league) and three shutouts. He posted a 3.20 ERA and walked just 76 batters.
Quotes- Yogi Berra: Berra told NBC's Tony Kubek, during a pre-game World Series interview. that he would never trade Matlack away saying “my God, what a career he has ahead of him".
Two Hit Shut Out: Matlack stepped up & pitched one of the best Mets post season games ever. He threw a two-hit shutout against “the Big Red Machine” of Cincinnati. He struck out nine Reds, walking three at Riverfront Stadium. The win evened the Series to a game apiece.
Matlack struck out Outfielder Cesar Geronimo three times on the afternoon.
In the top of the 4th, for the Mets Rusty Staub homered & in the top of the 9th, Cleon Jones collected an RBI single, Jerry Grote a two-run single & Bud Harrelson an RBI single for the Mets five runs.
It was after Matlack's pitching performance that Bud Harrelson remarked to the press that the Reds “looked like me hitting out there” in that game. Those were the words that angered the Reds, especially Pete Rose looking to motivate his team. This was a lead up to the Harrelson/ Rose bench clearing brawl in Game three at Shea.
The Mets would win the series in five games, winning their second pennant five years.
Yogi Berra named him the Game #1 starting pitcher in the opener at the Oakland Coliseum going up against Ken Holtzman & the defending World Champions.
Jon retired the side in order in the first two innings.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Oakland pitcher Ken Holtzman doubled to left field with two outs. Bert Campaneris then hit a grounder to second base where the usually sure handed Felix Millan had the ball go under his legs. Holtzman came around to score the A's first run.
Campaneris the American League's best base stealer, was being held close at first base, then Matlack botched a pickoff attempt allowing Campy to move up to second.
The A's Joe Rudi then singled to right field bringing in Campaneris in what turned out to be the games winning run, as Holtzman & Rollie Fingers held the Mets to one run & Darold Knowles closed out the game. Matlack took the loss allowed two unearned runs on just three hits over six innings striking out three & waking two.
Matlack came back to pitch Game #4 at Shea Stadium, with the Mets down in the series two games to one. It was a chilly 48 degree night in New York.On this night he would get plenty of run support, thanks to Rusty Staub’s big five RBI night in the Mets 6-1 win. In the bottom of the 1st Staub hit a three run HR off Ken Holtzman.
On the mound Matlack was fantastic once again.
In the top of the 4th after retiring eight batters in a row, Sal Bando reached on Wayne Garrett's error at third base. Reggie Jackson then singled & when Gene Tenace grounded to short, Bando was able to score on an unearned run.
World Series Trivia: The three runs the A's scored off Matlack in the first two games of the Series in 14 innings, were all unearned due to Mets errors.
In the top of the 5th Ray Fosse led off with a single, but Matlack retired the side in order after that
& didnt allow another hit until Joe Rudi singled in the top of the 8th inning. Matlack also hit the pesky Bert Campaneris with a pitch in the inning, but got Sal Bando to line out to left & Reggie Jackson to ground out to Millan at second to end the inning.
& didnt allow another hit until Joe Rudi singled in the top of the 8th inning. Matlack also hit the pesky Bert Campaneris with a pitch in the inning, but got Sal Bando to line out to left & Reggie Jackson to ground out to Millan at second to end the inning.
Matlack pitched eight innings allowing one unearned run, on three hits, while striking out five & walking only two. Ray Sadecki came on in the 9th to finish off the game.
Trivia: This victory turned out to be the only World Series win in Matlack's career.
The Mets won Game #5 at Shea Stadium behind Jerry Koosman & Tug McGraw combining on a shutout. The Mets went back to Oakland needing one win leading the Series three games to two.
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To this day it is one of the most questionable decisions in Mets World Series history. Although Seaver was the 1973 Cy Young Award winner, even if Stone had trouble Berra would have had a rested Seaver for Game #7. Although Seaver pitched well he took a 3-1 loss to Catfish Hunter who shut the Mets offense down.
A tired Jon Matlack was called upon to pitch the final Game #7 on three day’s rest on Sunday afternoon as Stone was passed up again. It turned out to be the worst post season outing Matlack had.
Post Season Stats: Overall Matlack went 2-2 in the post season, allowing only four earned runs in 25 innings pitched for a fantastic 1.40 ERA. He struck out twenty batters & walked eight in his only postseason appearance.
Trivia: Jon Matlack & Ron Darling are the only two Mets pitchers to start three World Series games in a single World Series. They both got the starts in games one, four and seven as well.
Trivia: Jon Matlack & Ron Darling are the only two Mets pitchers to start three World Series games in a single World Series. They both got the starts in games one, four and seven as well.
