Matthews stays busy in center field

As the saying goes, you get one chance to make a first impression. Gary Matthews Jr. got his in the first inning of his first game as an Angel on Monday night, and the center fielder nailed it, racing to the wall to make a leaping catch of Mark Teixeira’s drive to end the inning.

“When the season starts, fans want to see guys do things they’re known for -- they want to see Vladdy [Guerrero] hit the ball hard and me make a good defensive play,” said Matthews, who signed a five-year, $50-million deal last November. “It was good to throw that play out there early.”

It was the first of many plays thrown at Matthews, who dropped a fly ball to right-center to prolong the third inning but redeemed himself with a sliding catch in shallow center with the bases loaded to end it. He had six putouts in all, including catches on back-to-back liners by Frank Catalanotto and Michael Young in the fifth.

“I didn’t get a lot of work in spring training,” Matthews said, “and then [Monday] night it was like balls were falling out of the sky and I had to catch every one.”

And the one he didn’t catch?

“I peeked at Vladdy and heard him coming,” Matthews said. “I took my eye off it for a second. Next thing you know, the ball was on the ground.”

Though the error extended an inning in which John Lackey threw 31 pitches, it wasn’t costly in a 4-1 victory.

“I’ve made mistakes that have cost runs,” Matthews said. “There’s so much failure in this game, so many ups and downs, good plays and bad. The trick is to control your emotions and get over it.”

Those words rang true two batters later, when Matthews snagged Hank Blalock’s flare after a short sprint, saving two runs.

“Just because you make a mistake,” Matthews said, “you can’t let it take away your aggressiveness.”

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Orlando Cabrera has reached the big time. Gracing the entrance of Angel Stadium are giant murals -- 33 feet high, 20 feet wide -- of Manager Mike Scioscia, Garret Anderson, Guerrero, Francisco Rodriguez, Lackey, and now Cabrera.

Could Cabrera’s inclusion on the stadium facade mean he has finally been accepted in Anaheim after spending two years trying to live up to the reputation of his predecessor, fan favorite David Eckstein? Have fans finally moved on?

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Cabrera said. “That’s like saying they’re going to forget about Tim Salmon because they have Vladdy. That’s not the point. The point is to come here and do a good job, and if you want to use it as a challenge to do a better job than the guy before you, you do it. But you can’t forget about a guy who helped the team win its first World Series.”

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In a pregame ceremony honoring Salmon, the Angels presented the former right fielder with a specially designed piece of crystal engraved with his honors, a USC football helmet signed by Coach Pete Carroll, and a video tribute from Cal Ripken Jr.

“I was so proud I was able to start and finish my career with one organization, and to be part of a group of guys who put this organization on the map by winning a world championship,” said Salmon, who retired after last season. “To you fans, I thank you for your support and the way you treated me and my family. I will always cherish those memories.”

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com