Hubbry Logo
Matt ClementMatt ClementMain
Open search
Matt Clement
Community hub
Matt Clement
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Matt Clement
Matt Clement
from Wikipedia

Matthew Paul Clement (born August 12, 1974) is an American former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Clement played for the San Diego Padres (19982000), Florida Marlins (2001), Chicago Cubs (20022004) and Boston Red Sox (20052006). He batted and threw right-handed.

Key Information

Clement had a sinking fastball in the low 90s and a hard slider he mixed with a four-seamer and a changeup. In nine seasons, Clement won 87 games and lost 86, and was 1–2 in postseason play, going 1–1 with the Cubs in 2003 and 0–1 with Boston in 2005. His win in Game 4 of the 2003 National League Championship Series at Florida brought the Cubs within one game of the pennant. He held opposing batters to a .233 batting average from 2002 to 2005, while posting a 47–42 record and a 3.99 ERA.

Baseball career

[edit]

In 2000, Clement led the major leagues in walks (125) and led the National League in wild pitches three times between 2000 and 2003.

In June 2004, Clement was 6-2 and a candidate to be named to the All-Star Game. But in his next six starts before the break, Clement went 0–4 despite a 2.15 ERA during that span; his run support in those starts was just 1.19 runs per game. He finished the season with a 3.68 ERA but went 9-13 for the Cubs, who scored only 79 runs in his 30 starts (2.63 runs of support per game, the sixth-lowest mark in the NL). Against American League teams in inter-league play, Clement had a 7–7 record with a 3.60 ERA in 19 starts.

As a member of the Boston Red Sox in the 2005 season, Clement was named as an All-Star Game selection for the first time in his big league career, replacing injured Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay. Clement's record was 10–2 before the All-Star break, and he finished the season at 13–6 with a 4.57 ERA. On July 26, 2005, Clement was struck in the head [1] by a line drive from Carl Crawford of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Clement made just 12 starts in 2006, posting a 5–5 record with a 6.61 ERA,[2] before having season ending shoulder surgery in September. He was rehabilitated at the Red Sox extended spring training complex in Fort Myers, Florida, but did not make a major league appearance in the 2007 season.

On January 3, 2008, Clement was signed to a major league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals' team doctor said that Clement was healthy and would be able to begin the season playing regularly. The Cardinals cited his recent rehabilitation and physical as reasons for adding him to the starting rotation for the 2008 season with no expected limitations upon reporting to Jupiter, Florida for spring training. However, Clement would begin the year on the disabled list after making no appearances in Spring training. On June 3, Clement made a minor-league rehab start at Single-A Palm Beach, allowing only one hit over six innings. He was released by the Cardinals on August 2.

Clement signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on December 12, 2008, and was invited to Spring training.[3]

After being unable to make a spot in the rotation, Clement announced his retirement from baseball on April 5, 2009.[4]

Personal life

[edit]

As of 2005, Clement identified as an evangelical Christian.[5]

After retiring from baseball, Clement permanently moved back to his hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania, where he became the head coach of the boys' basketball team at his high school alma mater, Butler Senior High School.[6] He also was part of an ownership group that purchased the Butler BlueSox.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Matthew Paul Clement (born August 12, 1974) is a former American who played in (MLB) from 1998 to 2006. Drafted by the Padres in the third round (86th overall) of the 1993 MLB Draft out of Butler High School in , Clement debuted with the Padres on September 6, 1998, after progressing through their system. He appeared in 238 games, making 236 starts, and finished his career with an 87-86 win-loss record, a 4.47 (ERA), 1,217 strikeouts, and 13.5 wins above replacement (WAR) over 1,412⅔ . Clement's career spanned four teams: the Padres (1998–2000), where he established himself as a starter despite a 5.14 ERA in 2000; the Florida Marlins (2001), posting a 9-10 record with a 5.05 ERA; the Chicago Cubs (2002–2004), his most productive stretch including a career-high 14 wins in 2003 and two Player of the Week honors; and the Boston Red Sox (2005–2006), where he earned his lone selection in 2005 with a 13-6 record and 4.57 ERA before injuries limited him to 12 starts in 2006. A right-handed thrower known for his and , Clement also batted .095 in 348 at-bats as a , with no home runs and 12 RBIs. He became a after the 2006 season and did not return to MLB, effectively retiring thereafter. From his high school days in , where he excelled as both a and —turning down Division I scholarships—Clement's path to the majors highlighted his athletic versatility, though he prioritized despite draft projections suggesting an earlier selection. His career reflected resilience amid team changes and physical setbacks, contributing to playoff pushes with the Cubs in 2003 and Red Sox in 2005.

Early life

Upbringing in Pennsylvania

Matthew Paul Clement was born on August 12, 1974, in McCandless Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb northwest of Pittsburgh and approximately 30 miles south of Butler. Clement grew up in Butler, Pennsylvania, where his family resided in a ranch house in Butler Township. His parents, Paul and Lois Clement, raised him and his one sister there; Paul worked in the local community, while Lois was employed by Butler County. The family environment in rural Butler Township provided a stable, working-class upbringing typical of the area's small-town setting. From a young age, Clement showed strong athletic promise, particularly in , where he developed into a 6-foot-3 by his high school years. His skills on the court drew recruitment interest from colleges, including Lafayette University, highlighting his potential for a basketball career before he shifted focus to later in high school.

High school career and MLB draft

Matt Clement attended Butler Area High School in , where he excelled in both and during his high school years. As a standout on the basketball team, he contributed to the 1992 Section 3 Championship squad and was a key member of the 1993 WPIAL runner-up team. In his senior year of 1993, Clement earned significant accolades, including selection to the All-WPIAL Class AAAA First Team, the team, and the Post-Gazette North Fab-Five All-Star team, drawing recruitment interest from Division I programs such as Lafayette, Duquesne, Pitt, and Bucknell. Despite his basketball success, Clement shifted his focus to late in his high school career, a decision influenced by a pivotal late-season pitching showcase that highlighted his potential. Prior to his senior year, he had limited experience on the mound, pitching just 9 innings as a junior while primarily playing third base, including in the 1992 WPIAL baseball title game. In 1993, however, he logged 18 innings for the Golden Tornado, consistently throwing fastballs over 90 mph, which caught the attention of scouts and established him as a promising prospect despite his relative inexperience in pitching. He further impressed by pitching in a 1993 all-star game at . This performance led to Clement forgoing scholarships to pursue . He was selected by the Padres in the third round, 86th overall, of the 1993 MLB June Amateur Draft directly out of Butler Area High School.

Professional baseball career

San Diego Padres (1998–2000)

Following his selection in the third round of the 1993 MLB Draft by the Padres out of Butler Area High School, Matt Clement signed a minor league contract and began his professional career in 1994. He spent his initial season at the Rookie level, posting an 8-5 record with a 4.43 and 76 strikeouts over 67 for the Arizona Padres in the Arizona League, before a brief promotion to Short-Season A where he went 1-1 with a 6.14 in 7.1 for the Spokane Indians. In 1995, Clement split time between Rookie ball with the Idaho Falls Braves (6-3, 4.33 , 65 strikeouts in 81 ) and High-A with the (3-4, 4.24 , 33 strikeouts in 57.1 ), showing steady development despite control challenges evidenced by 49 walks at the higher level. Clement's progression accelerated in 1996 at the full level with the , where he excelled with an 8-3 mark, 2.80 , and a career-high 109 strikeouts in 96.1 , earning a mid-season jump back to (4-5, 5.59 , 75 strikeouts in 56.1 ). His breakout came in , dominating again with a 6-3 record, 1.60 , and 109 strikeouts across 101 , which led to a late promotion to Double-A Mobile BayBears, where he finished 6-5 with a 2.56 and 92 strikeouts in 88 ; this performance earned him the Padres' Minor League Pitcher of the Year award and positioned him as a top prospect entering 1998. Clement made his Major League debut on September 6, 1998, as a reliever for the Padres at against the Colorado Rockies, pitching one inning in a 2-12 loss; he allowed four hits and three earned runs with one and no walks, struggling in the hitter-friendly environment but gaining valuable experience in his brief 1998 appearance (2-0, 27.00 in four games). In 1999, Clement transitioned to a full-time starting role for the Padres, making 31 starts and going 10-12 with a 4.48 over 180.2 , striking out 135 batters while issuing 81 walks; a notable performance came on July 4 against the Brewers, where he earned a complete-game victory, allowing just four hits in a 5-0 win. The following year, 2000, he anchored the rotation with 34 starts, finishing 13-17 with a 5.14 in a career-high 205 and 149 s, though his win-loss reflected the Padres' overall struggles (79-83 record); highlights included a 10- outing on May 20 versus the , underscoring his strikeout potential despite a career-worst 1.47 that season. On March 28, 2001, the Padres traded Clement, along with outfielder Eric Owens and pitcher Omar Ortiz, to the Florida Marlins in exchange for infielder César Crespo and outfielder Mark Kotsay, as part of efforts to rebuild the farm system after three consecutive losing seasons.

Florida Marlins (2001)

In March 2001, just before the start of the regular season, Matt Clement was acquired by the Florida Marlins from the San Diego Padres in a multi-player trade that also sent outfielder Eric Owens and minor leaguer Omar Ortiz to San Diego in exchange for infielder César Crespo and outfielder Mark Kotsay. During his sole season with the Marlins, Clement solidified his role as a dependable member of the starting rotation, appearing in all 31 of his games as a starter and logging a career-high 169.1 at that point in his career. He posted a 9-10 record with a 5.05 and 134 strikeouts, allowing 172 hits and 15 home runs while walking 85 batters, which underscored his development into a durable workhorse capable of handling a full despite the team's overall struggles. Although he did not record any complete games, Clement delivered several quality starts, including a standout performance on against the San Francisco Giants, where he pitched 7⅔ innings of one-run ball, scattering five hits and striking out six to secure a 4-3 and snap the Giants' five-game . Following the 2001 campaign, in which the Marlins finished last in the National League East with a 76-86 record, Clement was traded again on March 27, 2002, to the Chicago Cubs along with reliever Antonio Alfonseca in exchange for pitcher Julian Taváres, prospect Dontrelle Willis, catcher Ryan Jorgensen, and pitcher José Cueto.

Chicago Cubs (2002–2004)

Matt Clement was acquired by the Chicago Cubs in a six-player trade from the Florida Marlins on March 27, 2002, just days before the start of the regular season, in exchange for pitcher Julian Tavarez, outfield prospect Dontrelle Willis, catcher Ryan Jorgensen, and pitcher Jose Cueto. The deal brought Clement to Chicago as part of the Marlins' effort to shed salary, with Clement earning $2.5 million that year as part of his pre-existing arbitration-eligible contract. Over the next three seasons, his salary increased to $4 million in 2003 and $6 million in 2004, reflecting his growing value to the team. Clement's tenure with the Cubs marked his most consistent and productive stretch in , where he established himself as a reliable workhorse starter in the rotation. From 2002 to 2004, he compiled a 35-36 record with a across 94 starts and 587 2/3 , striking out 576 batters while issuing 241 walks. In his debut season with in 2002, Clement went 12-11 with a in 32 starts, setting career highs with 215 strikeouts and three complete games, though he also led the National League with 85 walks. He followed with a career-best 14 wins in 2003 (14-12, over 201 2/3 innings), anchoring the Cubs' rotation during their run to the . In 2004, despite a team-leading 9-13 record hampered by low run support (just 2.63 runs per game in his starts), Clement maintained a solid in 30 starts, allowing only 149 hits in 181 innings. One of Clement's standout contributions came in the 2003 postseason, where he helped the Cubs advance past the in the NL Division Series before facing the Marlins in the NLCS. In Game 4 of the NLCS on October 11, 2003, at Pro Player Stadium, Clement earned the win by pitching 7 2/3 innings, surrendering three earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks, as the Cubs routed the Marlins 8-3 behind two home runs from Aramis Ramirez. This victory evened the series at 2-2, though Chicago ultimately fell in seven games. As the 2004 season progressed, Clement became the subject of persistent trade rumors amid the Cubs' push for contention, with speculation linking him to teams like the Boston Red Sox in potential deals for players such as . Despite the buzz, he remained with through the year and was granted free agency on October 28, 2004, after the Cubs declined to extend a qualifying offer. Clement subsequently signed a three-year, $25.5 million contract with the Red Sox on December 22, 2004, departing after three impactful seasons.

Boston Red Sox (2005–2006)

Following his departure from the Chicago Cubs as a , Matt Clement signed a three-year, $25.5 million contract with the Boston Red Sox on December 22, 2004, positioning him as a key starter in the team's rotation after their victory. In 2005, Clement delivered a strong performance, compiling a 13-6 record with a 4.57 across 32 starts and 191 , which earned him his first and only selection as a member of the team; however, he did not appear in the game held on July 12 at Detroit's . His season was interrupted on July 26, when, pitching against the Devil Rays at , he was struck in the right side of the head by a line drive off the bat of in the second inning, causing a that led to a brief stay and a short absence before he returned to the mound. Despite the incident, Clement contributed to Boston's postseason push, though the Red Sox fell short in the . Clement's 2006 campaign was severely hampered by right shoulder inflammation, restricting him to just 12 starts where he went 5-5 with a 6.61 in 65.1 . Placed on the disabled list in mid-June after reporting pain during a start against the , he underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on September 26, performed by Dr. James Andrews in , to repair ongoing issues including and labrum damage. This procedure, coming after only 18 months into his contract, marked the premature conclusion of his Red Sox tenure and sidelined him for the entire 2007 season.

Final seasons and retirement (2007–2009)

Following the 2006 season, during which Clement underwent arthroscopic on his right shoulder on September 26, he spent all of 2007 in rehabilitation and did not pitch in any games. He was granted free agency by the Boston Red Sox on October 30, 2007. On January 3, 2008, Clement signed a one-year, $1.5 million major league contract with the Cardinals, which included a club option for 2009 and performance incentives. Due to lingering shoulder concerns, he did not appear in the majors and instead rehabbed through 16 outings across three levels of the Cardinals' system, including four starts at Triple-A Memphis. In those limited Triple-A relief appearances at Memphis, he recorded a 1-0 mark with a 4.61 over 13⅔ . The Cardinals released him on August 2, 2008, acknowledging that his comeback bid had not progressed sufficiently for a major league return. Clement signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on December 12, 2008, and received an invitation to . Despite showing some promise in camp, he was unable to earn a spot on the roster amid continued shoulder limitations. On April 5, 2009, at age 34, Clement announced his retirement from , reflecting that the persistent injury had made a sustained return untenable after more than two years of recovery efforts.

Playing style and statistics

Pitching repertoire

Matt Clement's primary pitch was a sinking fastball, typically clocked in the low 90s mph, which he used to induce ground balls and limit extra-base hits. This featured heavy movement, contributing to his career ground ball rate of 49.3%. Complementing the sinker, Clement employed a hard in the low-to-mid 80s mph as his key offering, delivering sharp, late break to generate swings and misses. He also mixed in a for added velocity, reaching up to 92-95 mph, to elevate hitters and set up his breaking pitches. An off-speed provided deception against opposite-handed batters, though it remained a secondary tool in his arsenal. Clement's overall approach emphasized precise command and stamina over , allowing him to work deep into games without relying on triple-digit velocity. During his Chicago Cubs tenure from 2002 to 2004, he refined his delivery under pitching coach , enhancing his command and overall effectiveness against hitters.

Career highlights and statistics

Matt Clement compiled a career spanning 1998 to 2006, during which he recorded 87 wins and 86 losses with a 4.47 (ERA), 1,217 strikeouts, 1,412.2 , and 13.5 wins above replacement (WAR) across 238 games (236 starts). His durability as a starter was evident in his workload, as he surpassed 200 in three seasons: 205.0 in 2000 with the Padres, 205.0 in 2002 with the Cubs, and 201.2 in 2003 with the Cubs. Clement's pitching style, characterized by movement on his pitches, contributed to control challenges, including leading the National League in wild pitches three times between 2000 and 2003 (23 in 2000, 15 in 2001, and 13 in 2003). Among his key achievements, Clement earned selection to the 2005 American League All-Star Game as a member of the Boston Red Sox, where he posted a 10-2 record with a 3.85 before the break. In the postseason, his most notable performance came during the , starting Game 4 for the Cubs against the Florida Marlins; he pitched 7⅔ innings, allowing 3 earned runs in an 8-3 victory that gave a 3-1 series lead. Overall in the 2003 NLCS, Clement went 1-0 with a 3.52 over 7.2 innings. The following table summarizes Clement's performance in his primary full seasons as a starter, highlighting wins, , strikeouts, and (walks plus hits per inning pitched):
YearTeamW-LSO
1999SDP10-124.481351.528
2000SDP13-175.141701.556
2001FLA9-105.051341.518
2002CHC12-113.602151.205
2003CHC14-124.111711.230
2004CHC9-133.681901.282
200513-64.571461.361
20065-56.61431.760

Personal life

Family

Matt Clement married his high school sweetheart, Heather (née Miller), whom he met while attending in . The couple has three sons: Mattix (born circa 2003), Madden (circa 2005), and Mavrik (born circa 2007), and one daughter, Mallie (born circa 2011). Clement's parents, Paul and Lois, continue to reside in the family's longtime home in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, where Matt and his sister were raised. After retiring from professional baseball in April 2009, Clement and his family returned to his hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania, where they continue to reside, prioritizing proximity to extended family and a stable environment for raising their children.

Religious beliefs

Matt Clement has publicly identified as an evangelical Christian since at least 2005, during his tenure with the Boston Red Sox. He participated in pre-game prayer services at that year, joining approximately a dozen other players, coaches, and staff in a voluntary gathering led by Rev. Walt Day of Baseball Chapel. These sessions, held in a secluded area of the ballpark, focused on prayers for loved ones, American troops, and victims of , reflecting a commitment to and Jesus Christ as savior among the largest evangelical group on any MLB team at the time. Clement's faith played a significant role in coping with the challenges of his 2005 season, particularly after sustaining a severe on July 26, when a line drive from Tampa Bay Devil Rays Carl Crawford struck him behind the ear, knocking him unconscious and requiring hospitalization. In a postseason interview, he expressed gratitude for divine support, stating, "I was really lucky that the was with me throughout the season," crediting this belief for enabling his return to the mound despite the incident's severity, which he described as making it fortunate he could pitch again. This perspective aligned with broader career setbacks, including subsequent issues that contributed to his retirement. In later reflections, Clement emphasized how his Christian sustained him through professional ups and downs, noting in 2009 that it served as a grounding force: "I think I've stayed grounded because as a Christian man, my is a tremendous part of my life. It is something that has kept me from going off track. You can open up the and read 3,000 reasons why you should stay grounded." While no specific church affiliations have been detailed in media coverage, his expressions of appeared in interviews around his All-Star selection that year, underscoring its integral role in his personal resilience.

Post-retirement activities

Coaching roles

After retiring from , Matt Clement transitioned into coaching at the high school level in his hometown of . In June 2009, he was hired as the of the boys' varsity basketball team at Butler Senior High School, his , where he had been a standout during his playing days. This role marked a shift from his professional pitching career to mentoring young athletes on the court, emphasizing fundamentals and team dynamics drawn from his experiences in competitive sports. Shortly thereafter, in June 2009, Clement was also appointed as the head coach at Area High School, focusing particularly on developing young pitchers by sharing insights from his nine-year MLB tenure, including mechanics and mental preparation. In this capacity, he worked to nurture local talent at the community level, without pursuing professional opportunities. Over time, his involvement evolved to an assistant role, allowing him to continue contributing to the program's success while prioritizing player development. Clement's coaching commitments have remained steady, with him serving as head basketball coach through at least the 2023-24 season and maintaining an active presence in baseball coaching into the 2024-25 school year. By 2022, he had reached his 200th career win as basketball coach, highlighting his sustained impact on high school athletics in Butler. Since 2019, Clement has also served as Director of College Placement for the Marucci Spikes, a Pittsburgh-based travel baseball program focused on youth and prospect development. His efforts have centered on community engagement, fostering discipline and resilience among student-athletes through real-world lessons from his professional background, rather than seeking higher-level positions.

Business ventures

Following his retirement from in 2009, Matt Clement joined a group of local investors as a co-owner of the Butler BlueSox, a team in the based in . The ownership group, which included fellow Butler natives Ray Conlon, William "Wink" Robinson, Mike Fiorina, and Gordon Marburger, reached an agreement in late 2011 to secure the team's continued presence in the city through at least 2013, amid efforts to stabilize its operations at historic Pullman Park. In his role, Clement has participated in the team's management and promotion, emphasizing the development of amateur talent and community involvement in . The BlueSox provided opportunities for players while boosting local attendance and economic activity around the , contributing to the revitalization of downtown Butler's sports culture. By 2015, the ownership expanded to six members, with Clement listed alongside Mike Fiorina, Gordon Marburger, Roger Snodgrass, Larry Sassone, and Robinson, reflecting ongoing financial commitments to sustain the franchise. Clement's involvement with the BlueSox represents his primary business venture post-retirement. As of November 2025, he also serves as an MLB analyst for 93.7 The Fan, a station, providing commentary on the and MLB topics. This endeavor has allowed him to support the local sports economy and nurture enthusiasm in his hometown, aligning his professional background with community-oriented initiatives.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.