When fans reminisce about the great Mets pitchers of the past, names like Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, and Dwight Gooden usually come up first. But tucked in that golden era of pitching greatness was Jon Matlack, a left-hander who quietly carved out one of the most impressive yet underrated careers in Mets history.

Matlack wasn’t flashy or outspoken — he just took the ball every fifth day and gave the Mets a chance to win. And for much of the 1970s, few pitchers in the National League did it better.

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Career Overview

The Mets selected Jon Matlack as the fourth overall pick in the 1967 MLB Draft, and after a few strong years in the minors, he debuted in 1971. By the following season, he was making headlines.
In 1972, Matlack went 15–10 with a 2.32 ERA and 169 strikeouts, earning the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He immediately became a reliable rotation partner to Seaver and Koosman, forming one of the best left-right-left trios in baseball.

From 1972 to 1976, Matlack was a model of consistency, posting a 3.03 ERA across that span and throwing over 1,000 innings. His smooth delivery, excellent command, and devastating curveball made him a nightmare for left-handed hitters.

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Highlights

1972 NL Rookie of the Year: Matlack became the first Mets pitcher to ever win the award.

Three-Time All-Star (1974, 1975, 1976): His steady excellence earned him multiple midsummer trips.

1973 Postseason Heroics: In the 1973 NLCS, he threw 8⅔ scoreless innings against Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine” to help the Mets win the pennant. He then pitched brilliantly in the World Series versus Oakland, with a 1.40 ERA in two starts.

1975 All-Star MVP: Matlack was co-MVP of the 1975 All-Star Game after tossing two perfect innings and striking out four.

1,000+ Strikeouts as a Met: A rare feat during an era dominated by contact hitters.

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Lowlights

Lack of Run Support: Despite strong numbers, Matlack often suffered from poor offensive backing, keeping his win totals deceptively low.

Injuries and Decline: Arm issues started to creep in by 1977, limiting his effectiveness late in his Mets tenure.

The 1977 Trade: As part of the Mets’ infamous mid-decade shake-up, Matlack was dealt to Texas in a four-team trade — a move that marked the end of an era for the franchise.

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Interesting Facts

Matlack threw 30 complete games between 1973–1975 — a number unheard of today.

In 1973, he pitched in one of the most famous Mets games ever: Game 5 of the NLCS against the Reds, which ended in the infamous Pete Rose–Bud Harrelson brawl.

He remains one of only two Mets pitchers (alongside Seaver) to throw an All-Star Game shutout inning streak.

Matlack’s career WAR with the Mets (26.6) ranks among the top 10 pitchers in franchise history.

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Legacy

Jon Matlack’s name may not carry the same weight as Seaver or Koosman, but his contribution to Mets history is undeniable. For half a decade, he was one of the most reliable and effective lefties in the league, playing a key role in the team’s 1973 pennant run and sustaining the Mets through an era of transition.

Quietly, Jon Matlack was the definition of professional excellence — a reminder that greatness doesn’t always come with fanfare.

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Final Thoughts

In the story of Mets pitching greatness, Jon Matlack often gets lost in the shadows. But for those who watched him, he was every bit as important as the legends around him. For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we tip our cap to one of Shea Stadium’s most underappreciated stars — a true craftsman on the mound.