WPBN: According to the Phoenix Police Department, the body of former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz, who was selected in the first round of the draft and won a World Series ring with the Chicago Cubs, was discovered inside a residence on Wednesday. He was 37 years old.
Immediately after the death, the cause of death was not disclosed.
“I can confirm we responded to a dead body call at a home near 44th Street and Campbell Avenue” at about 2:45 p.m. MT Monday, Phoenix Police Sgt. Phil Krynsky stated. “The deceased person found was indeed 37-year-old Brian Matusz. Currently, this incident is being handled as a death investigation.”
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. He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he… pic.twitter.com/wNN3WkO8l4
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) January 8, 2025
After completing his high school career at St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Matusz entered the University of San Diego, where he went on to become the Pitcher of the Year for the West Coast Conference in the year 2008.
After such a remarkable season, Baltimore chose him with the fourth overall choice in the Major League Baseball draft that took place in June of that year.
Buster Posey, a catcher for the San Francisco Giants who is certain to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, was picked with the fifth overall pick, and he was selected just behind Eric Hosmer, who had just retired from first base.
It was in 2010 that he had his best season as a starting pitcher, during which he won a career-high ten games while competing in 32 starts.
Later in his career, Matusz demonstrated greater success as a workhorse relief pitcher. Between the years 2013 and 2015, he appeared in 186 games out of the bullpen for the Baltimore Orioles.
Brian was a great friend. Too hard to express everything at this time, but remember him for the passion he had for the game of baseball and in using his platform to support children through @CaseyCares. pic.twitter.com/eYugpJx07i
— Zack Britton (@zbritton) January 8, 2025
It was said by former Orioles players that Matusz was the perfect teammate every time.
Matusz, a left-handed pitcher, made rapid work of the lower leagues and began his career in the Major League Baseball (MLB) with Baltimore the following spring. His career lasted for eight years.
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Matusz’s career was marked by an inexplicable dominance over David Ortiz, a slugger who is now in the Hall of Fame. Over the course of thirty plate appearances against Matusz, “Big Papi” notched thirteen strikeouts, collected only four hits, walked one batter, and did not hit a home run.
Matusz completed his career by pitching for the Chicago Cubs in a single game in the year 2016. In that fall, the Cubs went on to win the World Series, which was their first championship since 1908. Matusz was awarded a championship ring as a result of this victory.
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