Brian Matusz, Former Orioles Pitcher, Dies at 37
Brian Matusz, a left-handed pitcher who spent most of his eight-season MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 37.
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Brian Robert Matusz was born on February 11, 1987, in Grand Junction, Colorado, into an athletic family. His father, Michael, competed in track and field at Purdue University, while his brother, Chris, played baseball at Iowa Wesleyan University.
Matusz’s baseball journey began at St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Arizona. He was named Arizona Player of the Year in 2005 after an outstanding senior season, going 8-1 with a 0.50 ERA. He had already made a name for himself by his junior year, earning first-team All-State honors with a 0.95 ERA in 2004.
College Success and Drafting by the Orioles
After being drafted by the Angels in the 2005 MLB Draft, Matusz chose to attend the University of San Diego instead. During his time at San Diego, he had an impressive three-year career, capped by being named West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008.
Matusz was also a two-time finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and led NCAA Division I baseball with 141 strikeouts in his junior year. By the end of his college career, he set the school’s all-time record with 396 strikeouts.
MLB Career with the Orioles
Matusz was selected by the Baltimore Orioles as the 4th overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. He quickly made his debut in 2009, posting a 4.63 ERA in eight starts.
Rookie Season and Early Struggles
Matusz showed promise in his first full season in 2010, with a 4.30 ERA over 32 starts. He finished fifth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. However, his next few years were marked by struggles as a starter. In 2011, Matusz posted a 10.69 ERA in 12 starts and a 5.42 ERA in 16 starts in 2012.
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Reinvention as a Reliever
In 2012, Matusz reinvented himself as a reliever. He had a remarkable 1.35 ERA in 18 relief appearances, which helped the Orioles end their 15-year postseason drought. He also played a key role in the AL Division Series against the Yankees, posting a 2.08 ERA over five games. Matusz remained a key left-handed option out of the bullpen for the Orioles from 2013 to 2015, with a 3.32 ERA across 186 appearances.
Memorable Moments and Rivalries
One of the most memorable aspects of Matusz’s career was his success against Hall of Fame slugger David Ortiz. Matusz often faced Ortiz in key moments, particularly when the Orioles played the Red Sox. Ortiz struggled against Matusz, hitting just .138 with 13 strikeouts in 29 at-bats.
Final Years and Retirement
Matusz’s time with the Orioles ended in 2016 after a difficult start to the season, where he posted a 12.00 ERA in seven games. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves on May 23, 2016, but was released just a week later. He then signed with the Chicago Cubs, where he made one final big league start on July 31, 2016. Matusz continued his career in the Minors with the Cubs and later with the D-backs’ Triple-A team in 2017. He also pitched briefly in the Mexican League and for the independent Long Island Ducks in 2019 before retiring.
Legacy and Community Impact
Throughout his career, Matusz was well-loved by fans, especially in Baltimore, where he was known for his dedication to both the game and the community. The Orioles remembered him as “a staple in our clubhouse from 2009 to 2016,” highlighting his generosity and positive attitude. Matusz was always willing to connect with fans and was remembered as a cherished teammate who always had a smile on his face.
Though his time in the spotlight was relatively short, Matusz’s contributions both on and off the field have cemented his place in Orioles history.
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