On January 6, 2025, Brian Matusz, a former left-handed relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, passed away at the age of 37, as confirmed by Phoenix Police Sgt. Phil Krynsky. He was found dead in a home in Phoenix, Arizona at 2:45 pm; the cause of death has not been released. Matusz was known for his incredible transition from a struggling starter to an excellent reliever, a shift that contributed significantly to the Orioles’ two playoff runs.
In a tribute announcement, the Orioles remarked that Matusz was a beloved teammate who always made time to interact with fans and was constantly seen with a smile on his face.
Matusz’s path to major league baseball was filled with early promise. He was first drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2005 MLB Draft’s fourth round but chose college baseball at the University of San Diego. As the university’s ace, he recorded a 1.71 ERA in his final season and won the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008. His skills caught the attention of the Baltimore Orioles, who selected him as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft.
Matusz started his major league career in August 2009 amidst high hopes. His peak year was 2010 when he won 10 games in 32 starts and struck out 143 batters in 175.2 innings, earning him a fifth-place finish in the American League Rookie of the Year vote. Throughout that season, he was among the rookie leaders in the AL in several categories, including starts, strikeouts, and innings pitched.
Despite a challenging year in 2011 with a 10.69 ERA, Matusz rebounded by transitioning into one of baseball’s top relief pitchers. From 2013 to 2015, after moving to the bullpen, he became a vital part of Baltimore’s relief team appearing in 186 games and recording a 3.32 ERA with an average of 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Notably, he was particularly effective against Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz, holding the potential Hall of Famer to a .138 batting average with 13 strikeouts in 30 plate appearances.
Matusz played a significant role in propelling the Orioles to the postseason in 2012 – their first playoff appearance since 1997. His contribution was particularly notable during the Orioles’ American League East championship in 2014 where he played in 63 games and maintained a 3.48 ERA, establishing himself as one of baseball’s most reliable left-handed specialists.
His influence extended beyond the field. Matusz, a Colorado native, was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2015 for his significant charitable contributions. He initiated reading programs in Baltimore elementary schools, frequented children’s hospitals, and hosted free baseball clinics in underserved communities. His annual “Strike Out Hunger” program led to the provision of over 100,000 meals to families in Baltimore.
From 2009 to 2016, Matusz appeared 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. Although his stint with the Cubs was brief, he was part of the team that broke their 108-year title drought that season and won a World Series championship ring.
After his major league career, Matusz continued his involvement in baseball in the Mexican League with Acereros de Monclova and the Atlantic League. He won a championship with the Long Island Ducks before retiring in 2019. Over his eight-year major league career, he achieved 27 wins, 41 saves, and pitched 647.2 innings.
