Grand Junction, Colorado, Former Major League Baseball pitcher Brian Matusz has passed away at the age of 37.
MLB confirmed the news on December 7 evening, with fans and former teammates quickly expressing their grief and paying tribute to the ex-Orioles and Cubs player.
Highlights
- When Brian Matusz realized he was hit with a peanut allergy, he used his EpiPen, took some Benadryl, and called his mother, who insisted that he must go to the hospital.
- Brian had a deep passion for cars, particularly Camaros, which he shared with his father, Michael.
- He was spending time with his girlfriend at the mall when he got a call from the Orioles’ executive vice president, Dan Duquette, in 2016.
Matusz was selected by the Baltimore Orioles as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft and spent seven seasons with the team.
He later played for the Chicago Cubs in 2016 before wrapping up his playing career in the Mexican League and with the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League in 2019.
Most recently, Matusz served as the bullpen coach for Baseball New Zealand during the 2022 World Baseball Classic.
MLB issued a statement expressing their sorrow:
We are devastated to learn of the passing of former Major League pitcher Brian Matusz
MLB
Brian Matusz’s Family Supported Him Amid His Health Struggles From Peanut Allergies
His father, Michael, competed in track and field at Purdue University, while his brother, Chris, played collegiate baseball at Iowa Wesleyan.
Given this background, it was no surprise that Brian emerged as a top-tier athlete himself.
Similarly, Brian Matusz had the full support of his family throughout his struggles with his peanut allergy.
He had been allergic to peanuts since he was young, but over time, his reactions have become more severe.
Usually, when he ordered food at a restaurant, he checked to ensure no peanuts were in his meal.
However, in March 2018, he forgot to ask and ended up eating tuna tartare, only to later realize that the dish and the chips served with it were cooked in peanut oil.
Almost immediately after eating, he felt his throat begin to close up. He realized what was happening and quickly used his EpiPen, took some Benadryl, and called his mother, who insisted that he must go to the hospital.
At the hospital, he experienced a second, intense allergic reaction. Despite everything, Matusz was back on the mound two days later, ready to pitch again.
Also, back in 2014, Matusz quickly recovered and returned to the Orioles’ bullpen after missing two games due to a sudden illness.
After spending a few days feeling sick and visiting the emergency room, he was glad to be back on the field, ready to pitch.
He had been vomiting at first, then spent the next day dealing with weakness and soreness, but by the time he came back to the ballpark, he was feeling much better.
It wasn’t the first time Matusz had dealt with health issues. Earlier, he had an allergic reaction to peanuts that landed him in the hospital, and he also had to fly to Philadelphia to have a wart removed from his hand.
He admitted to being frustrated with all the hospital trips but was glad to finally feel better and be back in action for the team.
Matusz’s father, Mike, sent him a text with a photo of his No. 17 jersey still hanging in the bullpen, which made him smile.
Brian Matusz Had Been Tight-Lipped About His Marital Status But Had Mentioned His Girlfriend Once
Nonetheless, the news of Brian Matusz’s passing has shocked many people, especially those who knew him during his time with the Orioles.
Brian had a deep passion for cars, particularly Camaros, which he shared with his father.
I am just totally shocked by the passing of Brian Matusz. He pitched for the Orioles for quite a few years but it wasn’t til after that when I actually found out that he was a car guy. He and his father were big Camaro guys. We actually talked a few times over Instagram. He knew his cars and his baseball. We only talked about 6 or 7 times but they were great conversations. He was a very giving person and always gave of himself for others. I am not sure what happened or why he left this world but I do know that we are definitely lacking without him in it. Godspeed Brian. Not sure why you had to leave us but we will miss you.
Brian Van Poppel
Brian Matusz kept much of his personal life private, never sharing many details about his relationships.
He was discreet about whether he had been married but occasionally mentioned his girlfriend.
In 2016, Brian Matusz was caught off guard when he received a call about being traded.
It was an off-day in Houston, and he was spending time with his girlfriend at the mall when he got a call from the Orioles’ executive vice president, Dan Duquette, informing him that his contract had been traded to the Atlanta Braves.
I had no idea. It was our off-day on Monday and we were in Houston. My girlfriend and I were at the mall just hanging out. Got a phone call from (executive vice president) Dan Duquette and Dan just said, ‘Brian, we traded your contract over to the Braves.’ And he was very thankful for the services that were provided in Baltimore. I was excited. I gave my dad a call and told my agent. I actually gave Brady (Anderson) a call.
Brian Matusz
Additional Information
- Brian Matusz graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2005.
- He then went to the University of San Diego and played college baseball for the San Diego Toreros as a starting pitcher.
- Alongside teammates Josh Romanski and Matt Couch, Matusz formed a strong pitching rotation for the Toreros.
