Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Jonathan T. (Jon) Matlack

Tidewater Baseball Shrine — 1998 Inductee

Jonathan T. (Jon) Matlock Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 18, 2025

1. Jonathan T. (Jon) Matlock Marker

Inscription. Born and raised in West Chester, Pa. 4th player selected in country, Mets first round pick in 1967. Remarkable debut at age 18, at Raleigh-Durham (1968) in tough Carolina League, 13-6 record, 2.76 ERA, 188 K’s in 173 innings and 13 complete games prompted jump to Tides for their first Triple A season.

14 wins, 10 complete games, 3 shutouts led staff featuring 5 future major leaguers to ‘69 I.L. Pennant. Returned to win 12 and 11 games before his call to N.Y. 37 wins and 29 complete games still rank as Tides career records for lh pitchers.

15 wins, 4th N.L. ERA at 2.32 earned 1972 Rookie of the Year honor. 14 wins helped Mets to 1973 N.L. East Crown and 2 hit shutout over Cincinnati in Championship Series tied record for fewest hits allowed. Won once and 2.32 ERA in 3 World Series games against Oakland.

Named to All Star Team 1974-75-76, Co-MVP with Bill Madlock in ‘75. Led N.L. with 7 shutouts, in ‘74 and 6 in ‘76, averaged 14 wins in 6 Met seasons with ERA of 3.03.

Traded to Texas in ‘78, 15 wins and American League 2nd best 2.27 ERA helped club to strong 2nd place finish. His 157 K’s still stands as mark for Rangers left handlers.

Retired in 1984 after 6 seasons in Texas, and served as minor league pitching coach with White Sox and Padres until 1996 selection by Detroit

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as major league pitching coach. Both his success as player and mentor to young pitchers place him among baseball’s elected over a long and illustrious career.

Erected 1998 by Norfolk Tides.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.

Location. 36° 50.58′ N, 76° 16.756′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Harbor Park. It is on Park Avenue 0.1 miles north of Water Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the main concourse of Harbor Park baseball stadium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 Park Ave, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kenneth Adam (Ken) Guettler (here, next to this marker); Allen J. (Two-Gun) Gettel (a few steps from this marker); Gerald (Jerry) Lynch (a few steps from this marker); Anthony (Tony) Lazzeri (a few steps from this marker); William O. (Bill) Lewis (a few steps from this marker); Granville W. (Granny) Hamner (a few steps from this marker); Harry Postove (a few steps from this marker); John A. (Buddy) Hassett (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Regarding Jonathan T. (Jon) Matlack. The Tidewater Baseball Shrine recognizes players and

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Jonathan T. (Jon) Matlock Marker

executives who have significantly contributed to the game of baseball in the Tidewater area of Virginia. The shrine is located at Harbor Park, which is home to the Norfolk Tides, a AAA minor league baseball team affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles. The Norfolk Tides annually induct new members into the shrine.

Also see . . .
1. Jon Matlack. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 21, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Harbor Park. (Submitted on July 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Society for American Baseball Research

3. Jon Matlock

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.