The pitcher who threw a no-hitter in the coldest continent on Earth
In short: Joe Musgrove’s career is a study in resilience. From a series of devastating injuries that stalled his early prospects to a historic no-hitter in his hometown, Musgrove has navigated the highest highs and lowest lows of professional baseball, even taking his talents to the literal end of the world.
Born in El Cajon, California, Musgrove was a standout two-way player at Grossmont High School before being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011. However, his path to the majors was nearly derailed by physical setbacks. A strained rotator cuff in 2012 and a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in 2013 kept him in the Rookie Leagues for years. It wasn't until 2015 that he began a steady ascent through the Houston Astros' farm system, eventually earning the 2015 Minor League Pitcher of the Year honor.
Musgrove's journey through the MLB has been marked by significant milestones and controversy. He was part of the Astros' 2017 World Series-winning team, a championship he later described as 'tainted' following the team's sign-stealing scandal. He later moved to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he set a notable record on August 30, 2018, by throwing 21 consecutive strikes to start a game—the most by a major league pitcher since 1988.
His career reached a pinnacle on April 9, 2021, when he threw the first no-hitter in the San Diego Padres' 52-year franchise history. This breakout season led to a $100 million contract extension in 2022. Beyond the diamond, Musgrove demonstrated his range by throwing an 86-mph fastball in Antarctica on December 5, 2022, setting a world record for the fastest pitch thrown on the coldest continent to support the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Despite a recent 2024 season hampered by a torn UCL and Tommy John surgery, Musgrove remains a significant figure in modern baseball history, embodying the grit required to overcome chronic injury and find success in a high-pressure sport.
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