“I ended up loving this city man.”
Former Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove brought an intensity to the club and quickly became a fan favorite.
During his three years in Pittsburgh, Musgrove posted an 18-26 record with a 4.23 ERA.
In 2018, Musgrove recorded 100 strikeouts, improving in 2019 with 157, even with a couple of trips to the Injured List. During last year’s shortened season, he struck out 55.
In the offseason, Musgrove was traded to San Diego in exchange for five prospects.
Musgrove is 2-0 on the year for the Padres and on Friday threw the first no-hitter in San Diego history. He’s also only given up three hits and has a 0.00 ERA early on.
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While he is enjoying playing for his hometown Padres, he tells the Fan Morning Show, he learned a lot pitching in Pittsburgh, where he got to become a starter again after coming over from Houston.
“This city taught me a lot,” said Musgrove. “It’s a place I’ll never forget.”
The 28-year-old says he lived in the Lawrenceville neighborhood during his time in Pittsburgh and that he loved living there.
It also wasn’t just the history of the ball club he loved, it was the history of the city that he thinks is “really, really cool,” pointing out that the blue collar lifestyle of Pittsburgh aligns with how he was brought up.
Musgrove says he knows the production on the field wasn’t the best during his time with the Pirates, but always appreciated the fans putting on the black and gold.
Musgrove once again takes the mound at PNC Park, this time in Padres uniform Wednesday night.
Listen to the entire conversation below.