Rick Matula
Born: 11/22/1953 in Wharton, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 1979-04-08 | Final Game: 1981-06-11
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Richard Carlton Matula
Biography
Rick Matula was a professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1979 to 1981. Born in 1953, Matula's career unfolded during a time when the game was witnessing the transition from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, a period marked by evolving pitching styles and strategies. Over his brief career, he compiled a record of 19 wins and 23 losses, with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.41. His ability to strike out batters was evident as he recorded a total of 129 strikeouts throughout his time in the league.
Matula's playing style was characterized by his competitive spirit and determination on the mound, traits that are often celebrated in pitchers of his era. While he did not register any saves, his contributions to his teams were significant during his tenure. Despite the challenges of playing in a league filled with future Hall of Famers and rising stars, Matula left his mark as a dedicated player who showcased the resilience and work ethic prevalent in the game during the late 20th century. His career may not have been long, but it serves as a reminder of the many athletes who contributed to the rich tapestry of baseball history.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 23 | 66 | 58 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 355.0 | 396 | 174 | 32 | 126 | 129 | 4.41 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | ATL | NL | 8 | 10 | 28 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 171.3 | 193 | 79 | 64 | 67 | 4.15 | -813.5 |
| 1980 | ATL | NL | 11 | 13 | 33 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 176.7 | 195 | 90 | 60 | 62 | 4.58 | -2190.1 |
| 1981 | ATL | NL | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.0 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 6.43 | 0.0 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | 111 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 0.099 | 0.123 | 0.099 | 0.222 | -1262.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | ATL | NL | 28 | 53 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 0.094 | -636.4 |
| 1980 | ATL | NL | 33 | 57 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 25 | 0.105 | -626.4 |
| 1981 | ATL | NL | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 66 | 58 | 36 | 52 | 1 | 11 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | ATL | P | 28 | 28 | 15 | 23 | 0 | 6 |
| 1980 | ATL | P | 33 | 30 | 20 | 28 | 1 | 5 |
| 1981 | ATL | P | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 66 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | TX | 1973, 1974, 1975 |