Joe to The Show

Joe Musgrove came into the Astros system in July 2012. I first spoke with the then 19-year old in August when he had been assigned to an Appy League Greeneville Astros team that featured Carlos Correa, Lance McCullers, Rio Ruiz, Mike Hauschild and Jordan Jankowski, among others. I first saw him signing autographs with Kevin Comer, a fellow pitcher with whom he had been traded by the Blue Jays.

I had the opportunity to interview him the next day and he immediately became one of my favorites, a huge guy who made this 5'8" overweight writer feel downright petite. He was open, engaging and didn't take himself too seriously despite being considered a top prospect at the time (#20 in the Blue Jays organization coming into the 2012 season).

From that point on, Joe always made it a point to stop and talk with me when our paths crossed. In Spring Training in 2013 ....

In Tri-City in 2014 ....

In Lancaster in 2015 when I interviewed him again ...

In April 2016 at Corpus Christi ...

And again in June 2016 in Fresno ...

Joe has always been the same, offering a smile, a hug and good conversation about baseball, family or life in general. I have watched him grow up and become a good man and a good pitcher. I have gotten to know his amazing mom, Diane, the ultimate Italian mama who loves nothing more than to feed everyone with excess food, love and encouragement.

When someone like Joe makes it to The Show, it's just a little bit sweeter. You can't help but really root for the good guys and Joe is one. Congratulations on the fantastic major league debut Joe! You earned this moment.