Statement made: Musgrove's first appearance since '24 seals Padres' Game 1 win
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SAN DIEGO -- At the beginning of September, Joe Musgrove was searching for answers.
It had been nearly two years since he stood on a big league mound after a prolonged rehab from right elbow surgery. He had sustained his latest setback in a series of them over the course of the season, one he entered with hopes of being in the Padres’ Opening Day rotation.
More than anything, the San Diego native yearned to pitch on his home mound again.
He got his wish. He was a surprise addition to the Padres’ National League Wild Card Series roster on Tuesday morning.
Later that night, neither Musgrove nor the sold-out Petco Park crowd could’ve asked for a better return party.
Musgrove trotted out from the bullpen to a chorus of deafening cheers in the ninth inning of the Padres’ 8-0 win over the Cubs in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series, proceeding to slam the door on Chicago to close out a statement victory.
In the process, Musgrove became the just the second player to appear in a postseason game after not making an appearance in any game of the two prior regular seasons, and the first since Clyde McCullough in 1945 (who appeared in the World Series after missing all of the 1944-45 regular campaigns due to military service).
"That was a little emotional there," said Padres right-hander Michael King, who threw seven domininant, one-hit innings in the victory. "It was almost two years to the day since he’s pitched. He means so much to this team and city. I mean, to even get out of the bases-loaded jam was cool. I’m glad he was able to get his feet wet and I know we’re still going to bank on him pitching meaningful innings this October.”