The Baltimore Orioles declared on Tuesday that former pitcher Brian Matusz has passed away. He was 37 years of age.
The club issued a statement via social media, commending his character both during games and outside of them.
“The team expressed, ‘We feel sorrow tonight as we grieve the loss of former Oriole Brian Matusz.'” “From 2009 to 2016, Brian was a key figure in our clubhouse, cherished by everyone in Birdland, with an unmatched enthusiasm for baseball and our community.” He devoted his time to engaging with every fan he encountered, was a beloved teammate, and constantly wore a smile.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Brian’s family and loved ones during this challenging period.”
Matusz, originally from Grand Junction, Colorado, competed at the collegiate level for the University of San Diego. Baltimore selected him as the No. 4 overall choice in the 2008 MLB Draft, and the left-handed pitcher went on to appear in 279 games with 68 starts from 2009 to 2016.
He additionally had one major league game with the Chicago Cubs in 2016, while the remainder of his career was spent in Baltimore.
Matusz was initially selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth round of the 2005 draft but chose to attend college and compete in San Diego.
He concluded his career with an ERA of 4.92 and a win-loss record of 27-42, but gained notoriety for his knack for challenging baseball legend David Ortiz on the mound. Ortiz had a batting average of .138, going 4-for-29 with 13 strikeouts against Matusz.
In addition to being a dependable bullpen player for several years, Matusz played a significant role in the Baltimore community through his off-field contributions.
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