Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz, a first-round pick in 2008 and a beloved member of the team for eight seasons, was found dead on Jan. 6 after police in Phoenix, Arizona responded to a call about a body at a home near 44th Street and Campbell Avenue, law enforcement officials said Wednesday.
The incident is being handled as a death investigation and Matusz’s remains were recovered by the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, police said.
The manner and cause of death are not yet known, and police have not said yet whether they suspect foul play was involved.
The medical examiner’s office cannot comment on Matusz’ death because “it is open and pending investigation,” a representative said.
Matusz was 37 years old.
In a statement released Tuesday night, the Orioles said: “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.”
Matusz made his debut for the Orioles in 2009, a year after the team drafted him fourth overall out of the University of San Diego. He had his best season as a starter in 2010, earning a fifth place finish in American League Rookie of the Year voting after pitching to a 4.30 ERA in 32 starts.
Injuries bogged him down in 2011 and he was moved to the bullpen beginning in 2012, where had some of his most memorable appearances for the Orioles, including pitching in all five playoff games during their 2012 run. He played a large role in the team’s success in 2014 as well, recording a 3.48 ERA in 63 games as the Orioles won the American League East title.
“He was a big part of our success,” former Orioles manager Buck Showalter, who managed Matusz for seven seasons, said Wednesday. “We were very picky about getting the right attitude, makeup, guys who would fit into who we wanted to be. Brian was one of them.”
Matusz remained with the team until midway through the 2016 season, when the Orioles traded him to the Braves, who designated him for assignment before he papered in a game. Matusz then signed a minor league deal with the Cubs, making his final major league appearance later that season for Chicago.
“I’m going to dwell on the great memories of Brian and that smile and how much he enjoyed the success we had there,” Showalter said. “He loved to compete, he had a talented hand. It’s just a lesson to all of us how fleeting things can be.”
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