When the doctor took a look at the MRI, he recommended surgery right away.
“He couldn’t believe I wasn’t in excruciating pain–he said the bone could break at any time,” said Joe Muchnicki recalling the low-point of last year. The injury, which is believed to have been caused by wear-and-tear, required five plates being placed in the knee joint, at the bottom of his femur bone.
He was in a wheelchair for a week, followed by crutches for five weeks and no baseball activity for eight months. For a high school junior, that is crushing. He missed the crucial time for college recruiting–not to mention a summer of being a kid.
While some people would sulk–the John Glenn RHP stayed focus and began his physical therapy. He finally threw off a mound for the first time in January and he was pleasantly surprised with the results.
“I felt stronger than ever,” he said. “I didn’t expect to feel like that right away. I thought I would be a little shaky,” he added.
He was named Opening Day starter for Glenn. With two rainouts to begin the season, it took a couple extra days but he finally got out there–it could not have gone any better.
Mike Trout photographed for BodyArmor sports drink by Monte Isom
The senior RHP fired a no-hitter, struck out 11 batters and allowed only two base runners via error in an 5-0 shutout of Miller Place.
“I was a little nervous, but not too much…I stayed focused and was just hitting my spots,” he said.
Having a steady catcher like Adelphi-commit Jack Ryan helped him settle in and find his rhythm as well.
“Jack has been my catcher since fourth grade, it’s very easy to throw to him.”
He noted that he began to think about a no-hitter in the fourth inning. Many times in the past he has carried a no-hitter or perfect game into the fourth or fifth inning but he was never able to finish the job. On this day, in his first varsity start, there was no stopping him.
