“Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz,” the Orioles said in a statement. “A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched. He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he could, was a cherished teammate, and always had a smile on his face. Brian’s family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”
Remembering Brian Matusz's Career
Matusz turned in his best season in 2014 when he had a 3.48 ERA and 53 strikeouts. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2016, and they designated him for assignment shortly thereafter. That led him to Chicago, where he transitioned back to a starting role and made a spot start in July 2016 – his lone appearance. That proved to be the last game of his career, and even though he only played in one game with the Cubs, he still got a World Series ring when they ended their 108-year drought.
Brian Matusz's Journey to the MLB
Before he arrived in Baltimore, Matusz was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 2005 MLB Draft, but he opted to go to college. He starred at the University of San Diego, where he was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award twice as he became the program’s all-time leader in strikeouts. He ended his career by winning the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year award in 2008.
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