The former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, who played seven seasons with the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, passed away on January 7, 2025, at the age of 37.
The MLB is mourning Brian Matusz, one of the most accomplished pitchers in Torero baseball history. Tributes pour in honoring his legacy as a standout athlete from the University of San Diego.
Brian Matusz of Team New Zealand poses for a photo during the World Baseball Classic Qualifier Headshots at Rod Carew National Stadium in Panama City, Panama, on September 29, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Roch Kubatko, an MLB Network correspondent, shared the news of Matusz’s death on X, writing, “Very sad to hear that former #orioles pitcher Brian Matusz passed away this morning. Was 37.”
The Baltimore Orioles also grieved his loss via their official X and Instagram accounts, “Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz.” They described Matusz as a key presence in their clubhouse during his time with the team from 2009 to 2016.
The team, who also shared a statement on their official website, said Matusz was cherished by fans across Birdland. They noted that he had a deep love for both the game of baseball and the community he represented.
The Orioles highlighted Brian’s commitment to engaging with fans, his valued role as a teammate, and his constant positive attitude. They also shared that their thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this challenging time.
Brian Matusz poses with a young fans, from a post dated January 8, 2025 | Source: Instagram/orioles
Tributes have poured in from across the baseball world, including heartfelt messages from MLB, honoring Matusz’s contributions to the sport.
The MLB official X page shared some of his major achievements on X, “Matusz, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft, spent a majority of his eight seasons with the Orioles. He won his Major League debut on August 4, 2009, as he gave up just one run in five innings.”
The MLB reflected further on Matusz’s career, highlighting his impressive record of 280 regular-season games, including 69 starts. The athlete played a key role in the Orioles’ Postseason runs in 2012 and 2014, making seven bullpen appearances. Matusz concluded his Major League journey with the Cubs in 2016.
Matusz’s alma mater, the University of San Diego (USD), has also praised his talents and personality. USD Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics, Kimya Massey, noted the deep sadness within the community following Matusz’s passing.
The university also conveyed their sincere sympathies to his family and teammates, both from his time at USD and throughout his career. Massey added, “His heart, passion, and genuine love for the game and his teammates was always felt and will be missed.”
