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Gary Nathaniel Matthews Jr. (born August 25, 1974 in San Francisco, California, United States) is a Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Matthews is the son of Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Gary Matthews, who was a Major League Baseball player in the 1970s and 1980s.

Gary Matthews Jr. began his career with the San Diego Padres in 1999 and has also played for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, and Texas Rangers before his current tenure with the Angels. He is a switch hitter.

Matthews Jr. got off to a fine start in the 2006 season, and as a result he was chosen to play in the 2006 All-Star Game. He and his father, Gary Matthews, Sr., were the 14th father-son combination to appear in an All-Star Game.

Matthews Jr. is known for his jumping skills and flair for the dramatic in the field, often taking away what would be home runs in the process. His home run-stealing catch against Mike Lamb on July 1, 2006 was so outstanding, Lamb himself applauded after the play was over. Team radio announcer Eric Nadel said it was the best catch he's ever seen a Rangers outfielder make in his 26 years with the ballclub. It was later called the #1 defensive play ever performed by The Best Damn Sports Show Period.

On September 13, 2006 Matthews hit a natural cycle in a game against the Detroit Tigers, with a single for his first hit, a double for his second, a triple for his third, and a home run for his fourth.

After his fine performance in 2006, with 19 HRs, 79 RBIs, and 194 hits (including 44 doubles), and respected defensive work in the outfield, he was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to a 5-year contract worth $50 million.

On February 27, 2007 the Times Union, an Albany, New York newspaper, reported an investigation regarding a steroid ring that involved more than two dozen doctors, pharmacists and business owners who have been, or will be, arrested in Alabama, Texas, Florida and New York. The investigation uncovered evidence that testosterone and other performance-enhancing drugs were purchased by current and former MLB players, NFL players, college athletes, high school coaches, a former Mr. Olympia champion and another leading contender in the bodybuilding competition. One of the baseball players named was Gary Matthews Jr.^[1]

In coordination with the team's wish that Matthews make a statement on the matter, he denied using HGH.^[2] The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had reportedly threatened to void Matthew's five-year, $50 million contract if he didn't give a response to the allegations.^[3] If he in fact took human growth hormone (HGH) prior to its addition to Major League Baseball's "banned substances list" in 2005, then he would be "grandfathered in," therefore resulting in no punishment but a stern warning, if anything, never to use HGH or any other substance banned by MLB in an attempt to further enhance his playing abilities.^[4]

In 2007 he had the lowest fielding percentage among AL center fielders, .987, and the lowest zone rating among them, .851.

• Hitting for the cycle
• List of second generation MLB players

1. ^ Brendan J. Lyons (2007-02-27). Albany DA raids Fla. steroids center. Albany Times Union. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
2. ^ Angels' Matthews denies taking HGH. Associated Press. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
3. ^ Hal Bodley. Selig, Moreno unite on Matthews issue. USA Today. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
4. ^ Matthews apologizes for causing 'distraction'. Associated Press. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.

• Gary Matthews, Jr. - mlb.com
• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference