Former Orioles Pitcher Brian Matusz Passes Away at 37: Remembering His Legacy

Brian Matusz, Longtime Orioles Pitcher, Dies at 37 — Details

On January 7, 2025, the 37-year-old former pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, who spent seven seasons with the Major League Baseball (MLB) team, went away.

Brian Matusz, one of the most successful pitchers in Torero baseball history, is being mourned by the MLB. In recognition of his career as a stellar athlete from the University of San Diego, tributes flooded in.

“Very sad to hear that former #orioles pitcher Brian Matusz passed away this morning,” MLB Network correspondent Roch Kubatko wrote on X after learning of Matusz’s passing. was 37 years old.

Through their official X and Instagram pages, the Baltimore Orioles also expressed their sorrow over his passing, writing, “Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz.” When Matusz played for the team from 2009 to 2016, they said he was a vital part of their clubhouse.

Fans around Birdland loved Matusz, the team claimed in a statement posted on their official website. They observed that he was passionate about the community he represented as well as baseball.

The Orioles emphasized Brian’s dedication to interacting with fans, his valued teammate role, and his consistently upbeat demeanor. They added that during this trying moment, their thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

Matusz’s contributions to baseball have been honored with tributes from all throughout the baseball community, including sincere statements from Major League Baseball.

Some of his significant accomplishments were shared on X by the MLB official X page. The Orioles were where Matusz, the fourth overall choice in the 2008 MLB Draft, played most of his eight seasons. On August 4, 2009, he won his first Major League game after giving up just one run in five innings.

Matusz’s remarkable record of 280 regular-season games, including 69 starts, was highlighted by the MLB in their subsequent reflections on his career. With seven bullpen appearances, the athlete was essential in the Orioles’ postseason runs in 2012 and 2014. In 2016, Matusz’s time in Major League Baseball came to an end with the Cubs.

The University of San Diego (USD), Matusz’s alma institution, has likewise commended his abilities and disposition. Kimya Massey, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics at USD, expressed the community’s profound grief over Matusz’s death.

The university also expressed their deepest condolences to his family and teammates from his career and throughout his time at USD. Massey continued, “His heart, passion, and genuine love for the game and his teammates was always felt and will be missed.”

Matusz’s 2006–2008 stint with the USD baseball team cemented his legacy as one of the school’s most accomplished alumni. He recorded the most strikeouts (141) in the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2008. With 17 strikeouts against Harvard, he also tied the single-game record. With 396 career strikeouts to date, he leads the program in strikeouts.

Additionally, the athlete recorded an impressive 1.71 earned run average (ERA), ranking fourth in USD single-season history. He then became the Louisville Slugger First-Team All-American and the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year.

As the first Torero to be selected as a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, which honors the best amateur baseball player in the country, Matusz created history. As a result of his total achievement, Toreros reached the best national ranking in USD history at number four. The baseball community remembers his accomplishments.

Brock Ungricht, the head coach of San Diego baseball, has lavished him with accolades, saying, “Brian was one of the best players to ever wear a Torero uniform.”

He also emphasized Matusz’s passion for the game and his persistent commitment to the USD community. Ungricht went on to say that although the athlete’s premature death leaves a huge void, his legacy will inspire people on and off the field.

Matt Hobgood, a baseball player, has also honored Matusz, calling his passing “awful.” Hobgood also noted Matusz’s generosity, saying that after he joined in 2009, he was among the first to get in touch with him.

He expressed gratitude for the gesture, stating that it meant a lot to him that Matusz took the time to wish him luck in his work and to offer encouragement. Finally, he said, “RIP, my friend 🙏🏼.”

While friends and family grieve his loss, they take comfort in the knowledge that Matusz’s remarkable career at USD and in MLB has had a lasting influence on the game. Everyone who knew him will treasure his contributions to the game and the memories he made with teammates and fans.