Former Baltimore Orioles Pitcher Brian Matusz Passes Away at 37
Brian Matusz, a former pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, has passed away at the age of 37. The Orioles announced his death in a heartfelt statement on Tuesday, January 7, expressing their sorrow and extending condolences to his family and friends.
“Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole Brian Matusz,” the team stated. “A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched. He dedicated his time to connecting with fans, was a cherished teammate, and always had a smile on his face.”
Matusz’s death was confirmed by Roch Kubatko of Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), who reported that the pitcher passed away Tuesday morning. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Matusz began his journey in baseball when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth round of the 2005 MLB Draft. Instead of turning professional, he chose to play college baseball at the University of San Diego. During his collegiate career, he became a two-time finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, set a school record with 396 strikeouts, and was named the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008.
Selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft by the Orioles, Matusz made his Major League debut in August 2009. Over his MLB career, he appeared in 280 regular-season games, starting 69 of them, and posted an overall ERA of 4.92. He also played a key role in the Orioles’ postseason campaigns in 2012 and 2014, making seven appearances.
After being traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2016 and briefly playing for the Chicago Cubs, Matusz spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A team in 2017 and made a start in the Mexican League. He concluded his professional career with the Long Island Ducks in 2019.
Matusz will be remembered as a dedicated player and cherished teammate whose impact extended beyond the game.
