Belleville native T. J. Mathews played in the Major Leagues for eight seasons from 1995 to 2002. A right-handed relief pitcher, he was with the Cardinals from 1995 to 1997. He was one of three players traded to the Oakland Athletics in 1997 for Mark McGwire. Mathews pitched for Oakland from 1997 to 2001. He rejoined the Cardinals in 2001. He wrapped up his Major League career in 2002 with the Houston Astros.

Mathews grew up in Columbia, Illinois and pitched for Columbia High School. He was also a pitcher for Meramec Community College. He is a member of the St. Louis Metro Collegiate League Hall of Fame.

Mathews was pitching for the University of Nevada when he was drafted by the Cardinals in 1992.

He lives in Columbia, Illinois, and coaches amateur baseball in the St. Louis area. He also instructs young players on the fundamentals of pitching and hitting.