Sing it, “You make me feel like a natural cycle”. Texas Rangers Centerfielder Gary Matthews, Jr. hit for a natural cycle against the Detroit Tigers & Rookie Watch’s own Justin Verlander. Verlander’s fastball has lost at least five MPH and fatigue has also taken a toll on his location as he’s been wild in the zone. This is not to take anything away from Sarge’s kid, just stating a fact. GM2 got his a single, double, & triple, batting lefthanded off Verlander, then turned around to hit a homer batting righty against Mike Maroth, and then he walked. With Minnesota Twins outfielder ailing, Matthews is the best defensive centerfielder in the AL. Gary has really picked it up with the bat this year, batting .312, with 42 doubles, 6 triples, 17 homers, 8 steals, has driven in 74 as a leadoff man, while scoring 91 times. This is the same Gary Matthews, Jr. who has played for eight teams in his career; the San Diego Padres, the Chicago Cubs, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Baltimore Orioles, the NY Mets, the Baltimore Orioles again, the San Diego Padres again, before FINALLY finding a home with the Texas Rangers. He was a member of this year’s AL All Star Team. The highest he hit in a year before this year was .275, and he’s already topped each of his single season offensive categories with the exception of stolen bases.
Gary Matthews, Jr. 4 for 4, 1B, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 runs
Guys,
We were discussing Gary Matthews Jr at Taco Night this week.
“Little Sarge” is a free agent this winter. Right?
I ventured the opinion: “I wouldn’t give him a NICKEL.”
I have become REALLY suspicious of guys who have their best year just before free agency. Examples: Adrian Beltre. J D Drew.
Suddenly, they are the reincarnation of Charlie Hustle. Of whom, there was only one.
It seems to me that, in most cases, as soon as the big checks start rolling in, they “revert to form.”
See examples above.
What do others think?
Being 5 games back with 15 to play makes me a “Totally Negative Individual.” And a GROUCHY one.
DonS.