Tommy Matchick
Born: 9/7/1943 in Hazleton, PA, USA
Died: 1/4/2022 in Sylvania, OH, USA
MLB Debut: 1967-09-02 | Final Game: 1972-10-03
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 173 lbs
Full name: John Thomas Matchick
Biography
Tommy Matchick, born in 1943, was a position player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1967 until his retirement in 1972. Over the course of his career, Matchick played in 292 games, primarily showcasing his skills as a utility player. He registered a total of 178 hits, contributing 4 home runs and 64 runs batted in, with a batting average of .215. Known for his versatility on the field, Matchick was able to play multiple positions, which was particularly valuable during an era when roster flexibility was becoming increasingly important in the game.
Matchick's career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, as the sport was beginning to embrace a more diverse talent pool and evolving playing styles. His contributions, while modest in terms of statistical achievements, reflect the tenacity and dedication of players from the late 1960s and early 1970s. In addition to his hitting, he successfully stole 6 bases throughout his tenure, demonstrating a willingness to take risks on the basepaths. Although not a household name, Tommy Matchick remains a part of baseball history, embodying the spirit of the game during a dynamic era.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 292 | 826 | 63 | 178 | 21 | 6 | 4 | 64 | 6 | 39 | 148 | 0.215 | 0.254 | 0.270 | 0.524 | -3026.6 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | DET | AL | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.167 | 0.0 |
| 1968 | DET | AL | 80 | 227 | 18 | 46 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 46 | 0.203 | -637.4 |
| 1969 | DET | AL | 94 | 298 | 25 | 72 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 3 | 15 | 51 | 0.242 | -994.1 |
| 1970 | BOS | AL | 10 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.071 | 0.0 |
| 1970 | KCR | AL | 55 | 158 | 11 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 23 | 0.196 | 0.0 |
| 1971 | ATL | AL | 42 | 114 | 6 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 23 | 0.219 | -434.2 |
| 1972 | BAL | AL | 3 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.222 | 0.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | WS | DET | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 8 | 1 | 39 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 2B | 72 | 61 | 136 | 179 | 7 | 46 |
| 3B | 74 | 58 | 49 | 113 | 4 | 8 |
| SS | 110 | 91 | 124 | 256 | 13 | 54 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | DET | SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1968 | DET | 1B | 6 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 1968 | DET | 2B | 13 | 10 | 25 | 34 | 1 | 7 |
| 1968 | DET | SS | 59 | 48 | 53 | 118 | 9 | 20 |
| 1969 | DET | 1B | 2 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1969 | DET | 2B | 47 | 45 | 89 | 122 | 6 | 32 |
| 1969 | DET | 3B | 27 | 24 | 15 | 45 | 1 | 2 |
| 1969 | DET | SS | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| 1970 | BOS | 2B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1970 | BOS | 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1970 | BOS | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1970 | KCA | 2B | 10 | 5 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 6 |
| 1970 | KCA | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1970 | KCA | SS | 43 | 37 | 64 | 130 | 3 | 32 |
| 1971 | ML4 | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1971 | ML4 | 3B | 41 | 32 | 31 | 62 | 2 | 6 |
| 1972 | BAL | 3B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 8 |
| Second Base | 72 |
| Third Base | 74 |
| Shortstop | 110 |