Brian Matusz, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, passed away on January 6, 2025, at the age of 37, as reported by the team. He was found dead in a home in Phoenix, Arizona, according to Phoenix police. The cause of death was not revealed. Matusz’s transition from a struggling starter to a top-tier left-handed reliever was instrumental in leading the Orioles to two playoffs.
In a tribute announcement, the Orioles said, “He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he could, was a cherished teammate, and always had a smile on his face.”
Matusz showed great promise early in his career. He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2005 MLB Draft’s fourth round but chose to play college baseball. He became the University of San Diego’s ace, posted a 1.71 ERA in his final season, and won the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008. He was then selected as the fourth overall pick by Baltimore in the 2008 MLB Draft.
Matusz started his major league career in August 2009 amid high expectations. He had a breakout year in 2010, winning a career-best 10 games in 32 starts, striking out 143 batters in 175.2 innings, and finishing fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting. He ranked among the AL rookie leaders in several categories that season, including starts, strikeouts, and innings pitched.
Despite a challenging season with a 10.69 ERA in 2011, Matusz managed one of the most successful career turnarounds in baseball. In 2013, he moved to the bullpen and became a key figure in Baltimore’s relief corps. Between 2013 and 2015, he played in 186 games, recording a 3.32 ERA with 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Notably, he held Boston Red Sox’s future Hall of Famer, David Ortiz, to a .138 batting average with 13 strikeouts in 30 plate appearances.
Matusz’s efforts were instrumental in the Orioles’ return to form, helping the team secure a postseason spot in 2012 – their first since 1997. During their American League East championship season in 2014, he played in 63 games and maintained a 3.48 ERA, positioning him as one of the most dependable left-handed specialists in baseball.
The pitcher from Colorado also made considerable contributions off the field. In 2015, he was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award for his charitable work. He set up reading programs in Baltimore, Maryland elementary schools, routinely visited children’s hospitals, and ran free baseball clinics in underserved communities. His annual “Strike Out Hunger” initiative provided over 100,000 meals to Baltimore families in need.
Between 2009 and 2016, Matusz played in 280 games for the Orioles, achieving 460 strikeouts and a 4.92 ERA. After being traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2016, he signed with the Chicago Cubs and made his final major league appearance on July 31, 2016. Despite his brief stint with the Cubs, he secured a World Series championship ring when the team broke their 108-year title drought that season.
Following his major league tenure, Matusz continued his baseball career in the Mexican League with Acereros de Monclova and in the Atlantic League, winning a championship with the Long Island Ducks before retiring in 2019. His career stats include 27 wins, 41 saves, and 647.2 innings pitched over eight major league seasons.
