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Matt Clement
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Matthew Paul Clement (born August 12, 1974) is an American former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Clement played for the San Diego Padres (1998–2000), Florida Marlins (2001), Chicago Cubs (2002–2004) and Boston Red Sox (2005–2006). 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[update], 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]- ^ "Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Devil Rays Box Score, July 26, 2005 - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Matt Clement Stats, Fantasy & News". Major League Baseball.[dead link]
- ^ "Blue Jays sign Matt Clement". Archived from the original on December 18, 2008.
- ^ "Clement ends comeback bid with Jays". Archived from the original on April 8, 2009.
- ^ Hohler, Bob (August 31, 2005). "Faith binds many on Sox". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ White, Mike (June 23, 2009). "Clement gets job as Butler coach". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on March 22, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac
Matt Clement
View on GrokipediaEarly 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.[2][4] 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.[5][6] From a young age, Clement showed strong athletic promise, particularly in basketball, where he developed into a 6-foot-3 point guard 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 baseball later in high school.[3]High school career and MLB draft
Matt Clement attended Butler Area High School in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he excelled in both basketball and baseball during his high school years. As a standout point guard 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 Roundball Classic 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.[1] Despite his basketball success, Clement shifted his focus to baseball 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 American Legion all-star game at Three Rivers Stadium.[7][3] This performance led to Clement forgoing college basketball scholarships to pursue professional baseball. He was selected by the San Diego Padres in the third round, 86th overall, of the 1993 MLB June Amateur Draft directly out of Butler Area High School.[1][8]Professional baseball career
San Diego Padres (1998–2000)
Following his selection in the third round of the 1993 MLB Draft by the San Diego 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 ERA and 76 strikeouts over 67 innings 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 ERA in 7.1 innings for the Spokane Indians. In 1995, Clement split time between Rookie ball with the Idaho Falls Braves (6-3, 4.33 ERA, 65 strikeouts in 81 innings) and High-A with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (3-4, 4.24 ERA, 33 strikeouts in 57.1 innings), showing steady development despite control challenges evidenced by 49 walks at the higher level.[9] Clement's progression accelerated in 1996 at the full Single-A level with the Clinton LumberKings, where he excelled with an 8-3 mark, 2.80 ERA, and a career-high 109 strikeouts in 96.1 innings, earning a mid-season jump back to High-A Rancho Cucamonga (4-5, 5.59 ERA, 75 strikeouts in 56.1 innings). His breakout came in 1997, dominating High-A Rancho Cucamonga again with a 6-3 record, 1.60 ERA, and 109 strikeouts across 101 innings, which led to a late promotion to Double-A Mobile BayBears, where he finished 6-5 with a 2.56 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 88 innings; this performance earned him the Padres' Minor League Pitcher of the Year award and positioned him as a top prospect entering 1998.[9][1] Clement made his Major League debut on September 6, 1998, as a reliever for the Padres at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies, pitching one inning in a 2-12 loss; he allowed four hits and three earned runs with one strikeout and no walks, struggling in the hitter-friendly environment but gaining valuable experience in his brief 1998 appearance (2-0, 27.00 ERA in four games).[2][10] In 1999, Clement transitioned to a full-time starting role for the Padres, making 31 starts and going 10-12 with a 4.48 ERA over 180.2 innings, striking out 135 batters while issuing 81 walks; a notable performance came on July 4 against the Milwaukee Brewers, where he earned a complete-game shutout 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 ERA in a career-high 205 innings and 149 strikeouts, though his win-loss reflected the Padres' overall struggles (79-83 record); highlights included a 10-strikeout outing on May 20 versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, underscoring his strikeout potential despite a career-worst 1.47 WHIP that season.[2][11][9] 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.[12][3]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.[2] 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 innings pitched at that point in his career. He posted a 9-10 record with a 5.05 ERA 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 workload despite the team's overall struggles.[2] Although he did not record any complete games, Clement delivered several quality starts, including a standout performance on May 17 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 victory and snap the Giants' five-game winning streak.[13] 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.[14]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.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17] Clement's tenure with the Cubs marked his most consistent and productive stretch in Major League Baseball, where he established himself as a reliable workhorse starter in the rotation. From 2002 to 2004, he compiled a 35-36 record with a 3.80 ERA across 94 starts and 587 2/3 innings pitched, striking out 576 batters while issuing 241 walks.[2] In his debut season with Chicago in 2002, Clement went 12-11 with a 3.60 ERA in 32 starts, setting career highs with 215 strikeouts and three complete games, though he also led the National League with 85 walks.[1] He followed with a career-best 14 wins in 2003 (14-12, 4.11 ERA over 201 2/3 innings), anchoring the Cubs' rotation during their run to the National League Championship Series. 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 3.68 ERA in 30 starts, allowing only 149 hits in 181 innings.[2] One of Clement's standout contributions came in the 2003 postseason, where he helped the Cubs advance past the Atlanta Braves 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.[18] 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 Nomar Garciaparra.[19] Despite the buzz, he remained with Chicago 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 Wrigley Field after three impactful seasons.[20][12]Boston Red Sox (2005–2006)
Following his departure from the Chicago Cubs as a free agent, 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 2004 World Series victory.[21][20] In 2005, Clement delivered a strong performance, compiling a 13-6 record with a 4.57 ERA across 32 starts and 191 innings pitched, which earned him his first and only All-Star selection as a member of the American League team; however, he did not appear in the game held on July 12 at Detroit's Comerica Park.[1][2] His season was interrupted on July 26, when, pitching against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field, he was struck in the right side of the head by a line drive off the bat of Carl Crawford in the second inning, causing a concussion that led to a brief hospital stay and a short absence before he returned to the mound.[22][23] Despite the incident, Clement contributed to Boston's postseason push, though the Red Sox fell short in the American League Division Series. 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 ERA in 65.1 innings.[2] Placed on the disabled list in mid-June after reporting pain during a start against the Minnesota Twins, he underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on September 26, performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama, to repair ongoing issues including rotator cuff and labrum damage.[24][25] 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 surgery 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.[26][12] On January 3, 2008, Clement signed a one-year, $1.5 million major league contract with the St. Louis 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 minor league 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 ERA over 13⅔ innings. The Cardinals released him on August 2, 2008, acknowledging that his comeback bid had not progressed sufficiently for a major league return.[27][28] Clement signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on December 12, 2008, and received an invitation to spring training. Despite showing some promise in camp, he was unable to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster amid continued shoulder limitations. On April 5, 2009, at age 34, Clement announced his retirement from professional baseball, reflecting that the persistent injury had made a sustained return untenable after more than two years of recovery efforts.[29][30][3]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.[31][32] This two-seam fastball featured heavy movement, contributing to his career ground ball rate of 49.3%.[33] Complementing the sinker, Clement employed a hard slider in the low-to-mid 80s mph as his key strikeout offering, delivering sharp, late break to generate swings and misses.[34][35] He also mixed in a four-seam fastball for added velocity, reaching up to 92-95 mph, to elevate hitters and set up his breaking pitches.[34] An off-speed changeup provided deception against opposite-handed batters, though it remained a secondary tool in his arsenal.[36][34] Clement's overall approach emphasized precise command and stamina over raw power, allowing him to work deep into games without relying on triple-digit velocity.[35] During his Chicago Cubs tenure from 2002 to 2004, he refined his delivery under pitching coach Larry Rothschild, enhancing his slider command and overall effectiveness against hitters.[37]Career highlights and statistics
Matt Clement compiled a professional baseball career spanning 1998 to 2006, during which he recorded 87 wins and 86 losses with a 4.47 earned run average (ERA), 1,217 strikeouts, 1,412.2 innings pitched, and 13.5 wins above replacement (WAR) across 238 games (236 starts).[2] His durability as a starter was evident in his workload, as he surpassed 200 innings pitched in three seasons: 205.0 in 2000 with the San Diego Padres, 205.0 in 2002 with the Chicago Cubs, and 201.2 in 2003 with the Cubs.[2] 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).[38][39] 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 ERA before the break.[40] In the postseason, his most notable performance came during the 2003 National League Championship Series, 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 Chicago a 3-1 series lead.[41] Overall in the 2003 NLCS, Clement went 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA over 7.2 innings.[2] The following table summarizes Clement's performance in his primary full seasons as a starter, highlighting wins, ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched):| Year | Team | W-L | ERA | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | SDP | 10-12 | 4.48 | 135 | 1.528 |
| 2000 | SDP | 13-17 | 5.14 | 170 | 1.556 |
| 2001 | FLA | 9-10 | 5.05 | 134 | 1.518 |
| 2002 | CHC | 12-11 | 3.60 | 215 | 1.205 |
| 2003 | CHC | 14-12 | 4.11 | 171 | 1.230 |
| 2004 | CHC | 9-13 | 3.68 | 190 | 1.282 |
| 2005 | BOS | 13-6 | 4.57 | 146 | 1.361 |
| 2006 | BOS | 5-5 | 6.61 | 43 | 1.760 |
