Manufacturer: Topps
Set: 1973 Topps Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Gary Matthews, Tom Paciorek & Jorge Roque
Position/Team: Outfielders
Card #: 606
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Garry Matthews, universally known in the baseball world as “Sarge” due to his commanding leadership and fiery competitiveness, was one of the most reliable and intense outfielders of the 1970s and 1980s.
Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1968, Matthews broke into the majors with authority in 1973. He put together a sensational debut season, batting .300 with 10 home runs and 68 RBIs, earning the National League Rookie of the Year award over future stars like Steve Rogers and Bob Boone. Matthews signed a big free-agent contract with the Atlanta Braves in 1977, where he earned an All-Star selection in 1979 after hitting 27 home runs.
He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981, becoming a critical cog in the “Wheeze Kids” squad that marched to the 1983 National League Pennant. Matthews completely dominated the 1983 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, smashing 3 home runs, driving in 8 runs, and batting .429 to win the NLCS MVP award.
Prior to the 1984 season, Matthews was traded to the Chicago Cubs alongside Bobby Dernier—a transaction that transformed the franchise. Batting third ahead of NL MVP Ryne Sandberg, Sarge hit 14 homers, drove in 82 runs, and led the National League with a .410 On-Base Percentage and 101 walks.
Gary Matthews shares this “Rookie Outfielders” card with Tom Paciorek & Jorge Roque.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
➡️ See All 1973 Topps Rookie Card Prices
Pricing chart includes raw card price & some graded card value estimates.
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Did You Know? Matthews put together a brilliant debut year with the San Francisco Giants in 1973, hitting .300 with 10 home runs and 68 RBIs to capture the National League Rookie of the Year award. But his most enduring legacy from that freshman season was his nickname.
During a game against the Cincinnati Reds, the legendary Pete Rose noticed the rookie barking out encouraging instructions, positioning outfielders, and carrying himself with the rigid authority of a military commander. As Rose stepped up to the plate, he looked over at the Giants dugout and yelled, “Hey, who is that guy over there acting like a sergeant?” The moniker stuck instantly, and for the next four decades, Matthews was known exclusively across the baseball world as “Sarge.”
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