Pirates
Perrotto: No More Split Allegiances for Perseverant Pirates Rookie Issac Mattson
Isaac Mattson grew up in the middle ground, where fans’ loyalties are divided between the Cleveland and Pittsburgh professional sports teams.
So, it was only natural to ask the native of Harborcreek, Pa., an Erie suburb, what baseball team he rooted for while growing up. The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie reliever gave a bit of a sheepish grin before answering.
“A little bit of both,” Mattson said before admitting he did lean a certain way.
“Growing up, we didn’t have cable, so we listened to a lot of games on the radio and had the Cleveland sports going, so it was (Guardians broadcaster) Tom Hamilton and a lot of summer nights listening to him. But we always came down to Pittsburgh to see games. We have family in the South Hills. So, it was a little of both.”
Mattson’s allegiances are no longer split now that he is with the Pirates. He grew up visiting PNC Park then pitched at Pitt and had a stint with the Washington Wild Things in the independent Frontier League.
“I definitely remember the Zambelli fireworks and getting caught in traffic after the game and getting home super late,” Mattson said with a smile of attending Pirates’ home games.
The 29-year-old Mattson’s journey to the Pirates – he was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sept. 20 – is heartwarming and a study in perseverance.
Mattson was drafted in the 19th round in 2017 by the Los Angeles Angels. He was one of four pitching prospects traded to the Baltimore Orioles for veteran right-hander Dylan Bundy following the 2019 season.
With the minor-league season canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mattson did not play in 2020. He made his major-league debut a year later with four relief appearances for the Baltimore Orioles.
However, Mattson’s life and baseball career soon took a downward turn. Two months after his MLB debut, Mattson was playing for Triple-A Norfolk when his mother committed suicide on July 14 – his 26th birthday.
Mattson understandably struggled to deal with the tragedy, affecting his on-field performance. He was released by the Orioles in 2022 and signed with the Wild Things late that season, appearing in 12 games.
Mattson began 2023 back in independent ball in the Atlantic League before the Minnesota Twins signed him as a free agent and sent him to Double-A.
The Pirates signed Mattson last offseason to a minor-league deal and assigned him to Double-A Altoona, where he went 2-1 with one save and a 3.27 ERA in eight games. After being promoted to Indianapolis in early May, he had a 5-1 record, three saves and a 3.15 ERA in three starts and 26 relief appearances.
Then Mattson got the call back to the major leagues. He is an admittedly different person than the last time he was in the big leagues.
“I definitely learned a lot about myself the last couple of years and have brought that back to the highest level again,” Mattson said. “It’s good to be back. To compete at the highest level is always a goal of mine and definitely thankful to be here.
“God has had His hand on my journey the entire time. To not only to play in college but professionally in Pittsburgh and be close to my family, it means a lot.”
Mattson is one of 55 players who has appeared for the Pirates this year. Few – if any – provide a more inspirational story.
