:Brian Matusz

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Brian Matusz

| image = Brian Matusz 2009 (3x4 cropped).jpg

| caption = Matusz with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 in Baltimore vs. the Cleveland Indians

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date|1987|2|11}}

| birth_place = Grand Junction, Colorado, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|01|06|1987|2|11}}

| death_place = Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 4

| debutyear = 2009

| debutteam = Baltimore Orioles

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = July 31

| finalyear = 2016

| finalteam = Chicago Cubs

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 27–41

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.92

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 462

| teams = * Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2016}})

Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2016}})

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's baseball}}

{{Medal|Country|{{bb|USA}}}}

}}

Brian Robert Matusz ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|æ|t|ə|s}} {{respell|MAT|əs}}; February 11, 1987 – January 6, 2025) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago Cubs from 2009 to 2016.

Amateur career

Matusz attended St. Mary's High School in Phoenix graduating in 2005.{{cite news |last1=Obert |first1=Richard |title=St. Mary's all-time baseball lineup card |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/04/26/st-marys-all-time-baseball-lineup-card/83574580/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Arizona Republic |date=April 26, 2016}} He enrolled at the University of San Diego, where he played college baseball for the San Diego Toreros. Matusz, Josh Romanski, and Matt Couch anchored the Toreros starting rotation.{{cite web|url=http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/012908aau.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075522/http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/012908aau.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=2008 Season Outlook |publisher=CBS College Sports Network |work=CSTV.com |date=January 29, 2008 |access-date=November 27, 2011}} In the summer of 2007, Matusz pitched for the U.S. national collegiate team, going 3–1 with a 1.33 ERA in four starts as the U.S. finished second in the Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro.{{Cite web |title=Overall Results for the 2007 Collegiate National Team |url=https://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/upload/opprops/tnrcuijdjejuu9bl6fmi.pdf |website=USA Baseball}}{{cite web |title=Baseball: Men's Team: USA - United States of America |url=http://www.rio2007.org.br/WWW/ENG/BIO/TEAM/9595096.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825151256/http://www.rio2007.org.br/WWW/ENG/BIO/TEAM/9595096.html |archive-date=2007-08-25 |website=XV Pan American Games |publisher=}}

File:Brian Matusz (2450688289).jpg

In 2008 with San Diego, Matusz was named the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year, was a finalist for the Roger Clemens Award, and was a first-team All-American. He led the NCAA with 141 strikeouts and was 12–2 with a 1.71 ERA in 105 innings. In three season with San Diego, he had 396 strikeouts, a school record.{{Cite web |title=Brian Matusz Minor League, Independent League, MLB, College Baseball Statistics |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/54390/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=The Baseball Cube}}{{Cite web |title=USD Athletics Mourns the Passing of Torero Legend Brian Matusz |url=https://usdtoreros.com/news/2025/1/7/baseball-usd-athletics-mourns-the-passing-of-torero-legend-brian-matusz.aspx |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=University of San Diego Athletics |language=en}}

Professional career

=Baltimore Orioles=

The Baltimore Orioles selected Matusz in the first round, with the fourth overall selection, in the 2008 MLB draft. Matusz signed a contract with the Orioles on August 15, 2008, the deadline to sign draft picks, receiving a $3.2 million signing bonus.{{cite press release |url=http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080815&content_id=3313598&vkey=pr_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |title=Orioles come to terms with first-round pick Brian Matusz |date=August 15, 2008 |work=MLB.com |access-date=May 2, 2010 |archive-date=March 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310053936/http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080815&content_id=3313598&vkey=pr_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2024 |first=Joe |last=Trezza |title=Top Orioles Draft pick from every season |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/all-time-orioles-top-draft-picks |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} The Orioles invited him to spring training as a non-roster player in 2009. In June 2009, he was promoted from the High-A Frederick Keys to the Double-A Bowie Baysox. He struck out 10 batters in his first start for Bowie on June 17. Matusz was named Baseball America's ninth best overall prospect mid-season in 2009.{{Cite web |last=Stacey |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Monday Bird Droppings: September is not going as planned |url=https://www.camdenchat.com/2022/9/12/23348248/orioles-news-links |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Camden Chat |language=en}} Before the 2010 season, Baseball America named him the fifth best prospect in all of baseball.{{cite web |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=7539 |title=The Complete Top 100 Prospects List |last=Cooper |first=J.J. |date=February 23, 2010 |work=Baseball America |access-date=May 2, 2010}}

Matusz made his MLB debut on August 4, 2009, against the Detroit Tigers. He went five innings, allowing six hits, one earned run and striking out five. He earned a win in his effort. On September 14, the O's decided to shut him down for the remainder of the season, wary of overextending the rookie in his first big league season.{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=291127 |title=Orioles decide to shut down rookie lefty Matusz |agency=The Canadian Press |date=September 14, 2009 |work=The Sports Network |access-date=May 2, 2010}} He was named a starting pitcher on Baseball America{{'}}s 2010 All-Rookie Team.{{cite web |last=Eddy |first=Matt |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/awards/rookie-of-the-year/2010/2610794.html |title= Future Big League Stars Highlight All-Rookie Team |work=Baseball America |date=October 19, 2010 |access-date=October 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025142809/http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/awards/rookie-of-the-year/2010/2610794.html |archive-date=October 25, 2010}} Matusz missed the first two months of the 2011 season with an injury.{{cite news |last1=Schmuck |first1=Peter |title=Matusz's injury has Orioles already scrambling |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-xpm-2011-04-02-bs-sp-schmuck-orioles-0402-20110401-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920094308/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-04-02/sports/bs-sp-schmuck-orioles-0402-20110401_1_brian-matusz-jeremy-guthrie-orioles |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-date=September 20, 2015 |access-date=May 24, 2016 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 2, 2011}} He returned and had six starts finishing with a 1–4 record with an ERA above 7.00 before being demoted to Triple-A Norfolk on June 30 to work on his velocity.{{cite news|last1=Zaleon|first1=Avi|title=Struggling Matusz optioned to Norfolk|url=http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/21235528/|access-date=May 24, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=June 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617203724/http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/21235528/|archive-date=June 17, 2016|url-status=dead}} He was later recalled and continued to struggle, posting a 1–7 record and 9.84 ERA before his removal from the starting rotation in September.{{cite news |title=Orioles' Brian Matusz out of rotation |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/6938266/brian-matusz-baltimore-orioles-rotation-latest-shaky-start |access-date=May 24, 2016 |agency=Associated Press |date=September 6, 2011}}{{Cite web |last=Ball |first=Zachary |title=What the Hell Happened to Baltimore's Brian Matusz? |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/839955-what-the-hell-happened-to-baltimores-brian-matusz |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}

File:Brian Matusz on August 30, 2009.jpg

Matusz began the 2012 season in the rotation, but was demoted to the bullpen in August. In the bullpen, he excelled, striking out 19 with a 1.35 ERA in 18 appearances. He also did not allow a single inherited runner to score. He pitched the last three months of the season with a rectus abdominis tear, preventing him from sprinting, but not pitching. He had surgery in October to repair the tear, and was expected to be back for spring training.{{cite web |url=http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/40195550 |title=Matusz on track for Spring Training after surgery |work=MLB.com |first=Brittany |last=Ghiroli |date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=May 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617195555/http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/40195550 |archive-date=June 17, 2016 |url-status=dead}} In 2013, Matusz made the transition to full-time reliever, appearing in 65 games. He was 2–1 with a 3.53 ERA for the Orioles.{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2013 |title=Brian Matusz is as smooth as Mozart in Orioles 'pen |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/mlb/sdut-brian-matusz-orioles-university-san-diego-2013may03-story.html |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |first=Eduardo A. |last=Encina |title=Brian Matusz: 'Being a part of the Baltimore Orioles is all I really know' |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-matusz-being-a-part-of-the-baltimore-orioles-is-all-i-really-know-20160525-story.html |access-date=March 10, 2023 |date=May 25, 2016 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108141906/https://www.baltimoresun.com/2016/05/25/brian-matusz-being-a-part-of-the-baltimore-orioles-is-all-i-really-know/ |archive-date=January 8, 2025}} On May 23, 2015, he was ejected from the game against the Miami Marlins in the 12th inning for having a foreign substance on his right forearm. He was the second pitcher to be ejected for a foreign substance that week. He was suspended for eight games.{{Cite web|url=http://deadspin.com/brian-matusz-second-pitcher-this-week-ejected-for-fore-1706597771|title = Brian Matusz Second Pitcher This Week Ejected for "Foreign Substance"| date=May 24, 2015}} He posted a 2.94 ERA and 10.29 strikeouts per nine innings in 58 relief appearances in 2015. On February 4, 2016, Matusz and the Orioles agreed to a one-year deal to avoid arbitration.{{cite news|last1=Kruth|first1=Cash|title=Orioles avoid arbitration with Matusz|url=http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/163697738/orioles-brian-matusz-avoid-arbitration|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208004542/http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/163697738/orioles-brian-matusz-avoid-arbitration|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 8, 2016|access-date=May 24, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=February 4, 2016}}

On May 23, the Orioles traded Matusz and the 76th pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft to the Atlanta Braves for minor league pitchers Brandon Barker and Trevor Belicek. The Braves designated Matusz for assignment on June 1, shortly after trading for him.{{cite news |last1=Kubatko |first1=Roch |title=Brian Matusz looking back and ahead following trade |url=https://www.masnsports.com/blog/brian-matusz-looking-back-and-ahead-following-trade |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=MASN |date=May 25, 2016 |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=Brian Matusz |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/Pmatub001.htm |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Retrosheet}}

=Chicago Cubs=

On June 15, 2016, the Chicago Cubs signed Matusz to a minor league contract. After being employed solely as a reliever since 2012, the Cubs assigned him to be a starter in the minors. On July 30, 2016, the Cubs called him up to start against the Seattle Mariners on July 31.{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2016 |title=How to bet Sunday night's matchup between the Mariners and Cubs |url=https://insider.espn.com/chalk/insider/story/_/id/17185334/mlb-how-bet-sunday-night-baseball-seattle-mariners-chicago-cubs-baseball-gambling-chalk |website=ESPN}} However, after a poor outing in the game, the Cubs designated him for assignment the next day.{{cite news |date=August 1, 2016 |title=Cubs Part Ways With LHP Brian Matusz, Recall RHP Spencer Patton |url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/08/01/cubs-part-ways-with-lhp-brian-matusz-recall-rhp-spencer-patton/ |access-date=August 2, 2016 |work=CBS Chicago |publisher=}} He cleared waivers later and was outrighted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.{{cite news|title=SP Brian Matusz lands with Triple-A Iowa Cubs|publisher=Today's Knuckleball|last1=Wray|first1=Miles|url=http://www.todaysknuckleball.com/knuckleball-news/sp-brian-matusz-lands-triple-iowa-cubs/|access-date=August 8, 2016|date=August 8, 2016|archive-date=August 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809162901/http://www.todaysknuckleball.com/knuckleball-news/sp-brian-matusz-lands-triple-iowa-cubs/|url-status=dead}} Despite only appearing in one game for the Cubs during their 2016 World Series season, he was given a World Series ring.{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/matusz-returns-home-looking-for-chance-in-d-backs-bullpen-022117|title = Matusz returns home, looking for chance in D-backs bullpen| work=FOX Sports |date = February 21, 2017}} In his final MLB season, he allowed 14 runs in 9 innings in 8 games combined with the Orioles and Cubs.{{Cite web |title=Brian Matusz Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matusbr01.shtml |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Matusz elected free agency following the season on November 7.{{Cite web |date=November 8, 2016 |first=Matt |last=Eddy |title=Minor League Free Agents 2016 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/ |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Baseball America |language=en}}

=Later career=

On February 13, 2017, Matusz signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/02/diamondbacks-sign-brian-matusz-minors.html|title=D-Backs, Brian Matusz Agree To Minor League Deal|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Steve|last=Adams|date=February 13, 2017}} In 11 games for the Triple-A Reno Aces, he struggled; his ERA was 6.11 with 13 strikeouts across {{fraction|17|2|3}} innings pitched. On May 16, he was released by the Diamondbacks.{{Cite web|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 5/16/17|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/05/minor-mlb-transactions-51617.html|access-date=June 15, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 16, 2017 |language=en}}

On July 23, 2019, Matusz signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.{{cite web|title=Ex Grandes Ligas Brian Matusz se une a Acereros|work=Acereros de Monclova|date=July 23, 2019|url=http://acereros.com.mx/ex-grandes-ligas-brian-matusz-se-une-a-acereros/|language=es|access-date=July 23, 2019|archive-date=July 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723153516/http://acereros.com.mx/ex-grandes-ligas-brian-matusz-se-une-a-acereros/|url-status=dead}} He made one start, allowing 5 hits and 5 earned runs with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts in 3 innings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.masnsports.com/blog/matusz-trying-to-make-comeback-via-independent-league|title=Matusz trying to make comeback via independent league|date=August 7, 2019|website=MASNsports.com - Orioles and Nationals on MASNsports.com}} On August 2, 2019, he signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2019 |title=Baltimore Orioles: Brian Matusz Is Back On The Mound As A Duck |url=https://birdswatcher.com/2019/08/08/baltimore-orioles-brian-matusz-back-duck/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Birds Watcher |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=September 10, 2019 |title=Matusz's masterpiece helps Ducks tie franchise-long winning streak |url=https://liducks.com/matuszs-masterpiece-helps-ducks-tie-franchise-long-winning-streak-2/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Long Island Ducks |language=}} In {{frac|46|2|3}} innings across nine starts, he went 2–3 with a 4.05 ERA and 45 strikeouts.{{cite web |title=2019 Long Island Ducks Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=b13406fc |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 8, 2025 |language=en}}

Personal life and death

Matusz's brother, Chris, played college baseball at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/former-orioles-pitcher-brian-matusz-dies-at-37|title=Brian Matusz, lefty who had Big Papi's number, dies at 37|first=Jake|last=Rill|work=MLB.com|date=January 7, 2025|access-date=January 8, 2025}} Matusz died in Phoenix on January 6, 2025, at the age of 37, due to an apparent drug overdose.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/mlb/brian-matusz-former-baltimore-orioles-pitcher-dies-37-rcna186770|title=Body of Brian Matusz, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, found at Phoenix home|work=NBC News|first=David K.|last=Li|date=January 8, 2025|access-date=January 8, 2025}}{{Cite news |last1=Allentuck |first1=Danielle |last2=Davis |first2=Darreonna |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz likely died from overdose, according to police report |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/former-orioles-pitcher-brian-matusz-cause-of-death-investigation-YKEXBCKWONC47DQVJGOEFUMPOY/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114041037/https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/former-orioles-pitcher-brian-matusz-cause-of-death-investigation-YKEXBCKWONC47DQVJGOEFUMPOY/ |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=January 13, 2025 |newspaper=The Baltimore Banner |language=en-US }}{{cite news |last1=Meyer |first1=Jacob Calvin |title=Former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz likely died of drug overdose, Phoenix police say |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/01/13/former-orioles-pitcher-brian-matusz-likely-died-of-drug-overdose/ |access-date=January 18, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 13, 2025 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250114000912/https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/01/13/former-orioles-pitcher-brian-matusz-likely-died-of-drug-overdose/ |archive-date=January 14, 2025}}