Nelson Elmer Mathews (born July 21, 1941 in Columbia, Illinois), is a retired professional baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues from 1960-1965. He played for the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Athletics.
Mathews was signed by the Cubs as an amateur free agent prior to the 1959 season, and made his major-league debut with the Cubs in 1960. After the 1963 season he was traded to the Athletics for Fred Norman.
Mathews' son, T. J. Mathews, had an 8-season MLB career as a relief pitcher.