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

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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

Career ERA 4.41 vs. league average 3.84 across their career seasons — 15.0% worse than league average.

Season-by-Season Pitching

Year	Team	Lg	W	L	G	GS	CG	SHO	IP	H	ER	BB	SO	ERA	Lg ERA	Pitcher PIV
1979	ATL	NL	8	10	28	28	1	0	171.3	193	79	64	67	4.15	4.00 (-4%)	-813.5
1980	ATL	NL	11	13	33	30	3	1	176.7	195	90	60	62	4.58	3.84 (-19%)	-2190.1
1981	ATL	NL	0	0	5	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

Career AVG .099 vs. league average .263 across their career seasons — 62.3% below league average.

Career OBP .123 vs. league average .326 across their career seasons — 62.3% below league average.

Career SLG .099 vs. league average .387 across their career seasons — 74.4% below league average.

Career OPS 0.222 vs. league average 0.713 across their career seasons — 68.9% below league average.

Season-by-Season Batting

Year	Team	Lg	G	AB	R	H	BB	SO	AVG	Lg AVG	Lg OBP	Lg SLG	Lg OPS	PIV
1979	ATL	NL	28	53	1	5	1	23	0.094	.265 (-64%)	.329 (-66%)	.397 (-76%)	.727 (-72%)	-636.4
1980	ATL	NL	33	57	0	6	2	25	0.105	.264 (-60%)	.326 (-58%)	.387 (-73%)	.714 (-66%)	-626.4
1981	ATL	NL	5	1	0	0	0	0	0.000	—	—	—	—	0.0