Gary Matthews earned the nickname Sarge for his dugout leadership, take-charge attitude and competitive playing. He embraced the name, and beginning early in the '84 season, he would salute the legions of LF bleacher fans who would cheer his every appearance in the outfield. In August of that year, he arranged for caps with "sergeant stripes" and his name to be distributed to all bleacher fans.

He was one of the most important players on the 1984 Cubs team that came within a few outs of the World Series. Sarge's on-base percentage was over .400, he hit 14 homers and stole 17 bases, and though he wasn't the fielder he was earlier in his career (with the Giants and Phillies), he played with toughness and grit.

He played several seasons for the Cubs in the 1980s, but really only had one more good year (1986). He was getting up in age by that time.

He later coached for the Cubs, and his son Gary Matthews Jr. began his major league career with the Cubs too.