Former Baltimore Orioles player Brian Matus died on Tuesday at the age of 37.
His death was reported by the Orioles in a statement released the same day, but the circumstances of his death were not disclosed.
“Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Orioles Brian Matusch,” the team wrote in X. “A fixture in the clubhouse from 2009 to 2016, Brian was loved throughout Birdland and his passion for baseball and our community was one of a kind.” He dedicated his time to connecting with every fan he could, was a valued teammate, and always had a smile on his face. ”
It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of former Orioles Brian Matusch tonight.
A fixture in the clubhouse from 2009 to 2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland and his passion for baseball and our community was unparalleled. He dedicated his time to connecting with his fans. pic.twitter.com/wNN3WkO8l4
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) January 8, 2025
BALTIMORE, MD – MAY 1: Baltimore Orioles No. 17 Brian pitches in the 9th inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at Camden Yards, Oriole Park on May 1, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. Matus. (Photo by Matt Haslett/Getty Images)
Matusch played for the Orioles from 2009 to 2016 and was a beloved member of their community.
Mid-Atlantic Sports Network’s Roch Kubatko was the first to reveal the date of Matusz’s death.
“So sad to hear that former #Orioles pitcher Brian Matus passed away this morning. He was 37 years old. He was the 4th overall pick in the 2008 draft,” he wrote to J’s X.
So sad to hear about the ex #orioles Pitcher Brian Matusch passed away this morning. 37 years old. 4th overall pick in the 2008 draft.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) January 8, 2025
Matusz is a talented left-handed pitcher who was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth round of the 2005 MLB Draft. However, he chose to play baseball at the University of San Diego, where he remained for three years. university recognized Him on Wednesday.
Matusz was twice named a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and was recognized as the school’s all-time leader in strikeouts (396). Among his many honors, he won the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year Award in 2008 and was selected fourth overall in the 2008 MLB Draft. Matusz made his MLB debut in August 2009.
He pitched in 280 regular season games during his career and also pitched for the Orioles’ two postseason teams in 2012 and 2014.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 21: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher No. 15 Brian Matus poses for a portrait during Photo Day at Talking Stick Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona (2017) (Photo taken on February 21, 2018). (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Matusch’s career ERA was 4.92.
He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in May 2016, where he remained for one week. He then signed with the Cubs, where he started one major league game. (Related: Famous actress Aubrey Plaza talks about her husband’s death)
Matusch pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A team in 2017, got his start in the Mexican League, and finished his professional baseball career with the Long Island Ducks in 2019.
Fans and friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to the athlete as those close to him come to terms with this tragic loss.
