Tragic news has hit the MLB community with the passing of former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz. The MLB player was just 37 years old. Matusz was known for his impressive left-handed relief work. He was a crucial piece of the Orioles’ bullpen during their playoff runs under Buck Showalter. Drafted fourth overall in 2008, Matusz had found a role as a dependable arm in the late innings for some competitive O’s teams.

Although Matusz’s time in the spotlight was short, he left a lasting mark on Baltimore’s pitching staff.  The Colorado native played a key role in the Orioles’ successful seasons under manager Showalter, including their playoff appearances in 2012 and 2014. After hearing the tragic news, teams associated with the players have been paying tributes on social media and offering their condolences. 

MLB mourns the death of the Colorado native baseball pitcher  

The University of San Diego Athletics shared a heartfelt tribute to Matusz, saying, “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of beloved Torero Legend Brian Matusz. Brian became the most accomplished pitcher in program history from 2006 to 2008, earning Golden Spikes Finalist, First-Team All-American, and WCC Pitcher of the Year honors after his final college season. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brian’s family and loved ones.” Matusz played for the Toreros from 2006 to 2008. During his standout junior season in 2008, Matusz was nothing short of spectacular.   

The baseball pitcher born in 1987 led the NCAA in strikeouts with 141 while posting a 1.71 ERA, which is the fourth all-time in USD single-season history. That same year, Brian Matusz captured the West Coast Conference (WCC) Pitcher of the Year award and was named a Louisville Slugger First-Team All-American. He is also the all-time leader in career strikeouts for the program at 396. The Colorado native had helped the team achieve its highest ever National Ranking to be No. 4 in 2008. As Matusz passes away, the baseball family remembers how much he impacted the world of Major League Baseball.

Brian Matusz’s journey in the MLB 

Brian Matusz pitched in 280 regular-season games during his eight-year career in Major League Baseball. As a former Oriole, number 17 had a lot of contribution to make in the two postseason runs in 2012 and 2014. When the Orioles made their first postseason appearance since the 1990s, and Matusz’s effort from the bullpen was major.

The Orioles’ organization took to X to pay tribute “Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz. A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched.” The 37-year-old had made a total of seven postseason appearances for the team. Despite an overall ERA of 4.92 across his major league career, Matusz’s had earned the trust of his managers and teammates.  

Matusz was traded in May 2016 to the Atlanta Braves that ended his time with the Orioles. But with Atlanta, his stint was short-lived as Brian Matusz was released a week later. No worries though, since the UC San Diego alumnus signed a deal with the Chicago Cubs shortly after, so he didn’t miss much of the action. Matusz spent 2017 pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate in Reno, after a very short stint with the Cubs. In 2019, Matousz concluded his professional baseball career playing with the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks.