Tom Matchick

Matchick was born on September 7, 1943, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. His father, John Wesley Matchick, was a crane operator for Bethlehem Steel Corporation. He attended Hazleton-Freeland High School where he played football. Matchick did not play baseball in high school but was discovered playing Junior American Legion baseball. ==Professional career==

St. Louis Cardinals In 1962, Matchick was signed by scout Ollie Vanek to a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and received a $17,000 signing bonus. Matchick was a Triple A all-star and won a Rawlings Silver Glove Award (the minor league equivalent to the Rawlings Gold Glove Award) for his fielding during the 1967 season. Matchick also participated in a triple play for the Tigers on September 1, 1968. Detroit pitcher Denny McLain caught a line drive off the bat of Baltimore slugger Boog Powell, threw to Matchick who forced out Curt Blefary at second, and Matchick completed the play by throwing to Norm Cash who forced out Frank Robinson at first base. McLain recorded his 27th win of the season in the game. The play was the Tigers' first triple play since 1965. 1969 season During the 1969 MLB season, Matchick played at all four infield positions for the Tigers, appearing in 94 games, and compiling a .242 batting average with 32 RBIs. In 16 pinch hit appearances in 1969, he had eight hits for a .500 batting average as a pinch hitter. Boston Red Sox In December 1969, the Tigers traded Matchick to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Dalton Jones. Matchick appeared in only 10 games for the Red Sox during the first month of the 1969 season. He had one hit and two bases on balls and scored two runs in 16 plate appearances. Matchick appeared in 55 games for the Royals, including 37 as the team's starting shortstop and five as the starting second baseman. He compiled a .196 batting average in 158 at bats with the 1970 Royals. He appeared in 42 games for the Brewers, including 32 games as the team's starting third baseman. He compiled a .219 batting average and a .254 on-base percentage in 122 plate appearances with the Brewers. He received an award as the top third baseman in the minor leagues in 1972. He appeared in only three games for the Orioles, totalling two hits in nine at bats. His final Major League game was on October 3, 1972, as a member of the Orioles. Matchick was assigned by the Yankees to the Syracuse Chiefs in the International League where he appeared in 87 games, compiling a .271 batting average and .341 on-base percentage. Matchick remained active in the minor leagues through the 1976 season. ==Personal life and death==

Matchick married Linda Lang, a native of Toledo, Ohio. They had a son, Brian Thomas Matchick, on February 5, 1969. They had a daughter, Heather, the following year. Matchick and his wife settled in Holland, Ohio, where they served as foster parents to more than 30 children. Matchick worked over the years as a car salesman, in the sporting goods business, and later as an executive with Great Lakes Aerocam, an aerial photography business in Woodville, Ohio.{{cite news|title=Former Toledo Mud Hens shortstop Tom Matchick dies at 78 ==References==