Page 27 - Diane Musgrove Issue

Women of Distinction

allowed, she would take a few games led to these same scouts Of course, the scout began
minutes for herself. visiting the Musgrove home sharing the quality of Diane’s
After three months in the for “Family Home Visits.” The cooking and her graciousness as
hospital, Mark was able to re- Musgrove home visits became a a host, so there was no surprise
turn home. Diane had acquired circus…A pleasant and exciting that a few scouts felt the need to
a hospital bed and other items circus, but a circus nonetheless. return for a second visit. Photos Courtesy of Diane Musgrove
to furnish one of their rooms as The Pro-Scout visits would At this time, Tony Gwynn
a makeshift hospital room for occur after games, which were was the Head Coach at SDSU,
Mark. usually twice a week. On “Pro- and he recruited Joe to attend
Diane definitely had her Scout Visits,” Diane’s days went San Diego State University. In
hands full. She had a household a little like this… November, Joe signed a Nation-
to maintain, a business to run, • Diane would start her very al Letter of Intent to attend San
and now she was also a nurse. early day by getting lunches Diego State University. Tony
True to form, she handled ready. was very instrumental in assist-
everything like a champ, once • Then it was making break- ing and motivating Joe with his
again illustrating to her family fast. academics and baseball future.
that she could overcome and • After which, she would set Tony was more than a College
succeed no matter what the her dinner table for that Coach. He would become, and
obstacle. evening. remain, very important in the
This did, however, create • Next was making her lives of the Musgrove family.
another hurdle. Joe and Marisa meatballs for dinner and In early June of 2011, Joe,
were spending nights at the selecting the right entrée Mark, and Dominick (Domi-
hospital with their Dad. They pasta, usually spaghetti, nick Johnson, Diane’s Cousin,
would alternate nights, sleeping Ravioli, or Penne. and Joe’s Godfather. Dom was,
on a hospital-provided cot • Then prepare dessert. and remains, Joe’s personal
beside Mark’s bed. • She would assist Mark with pitching coach) were sitting in
Joe was spending a tre- preparing for the day. Mark’s office about to watch the
mendous amount of time with • There would be some time MLB Draft live on television.
his Dad at the hospital, and the set aside to vacuum & dust, Diane and several family mem-
repercussions of this began to etc. bers were gathered in the front
surface. His academics were • Then head to Alpine to room doing the same.
falling, and his interest in base- coordinate with Rita on Joe was eventually selected
ball was at risk. Joe was trying the day’s duties, including in the 1st round of the MLB
to figure out his role within Inventory, staffing issues, Draft. As expected, Diane and
the home and how he could customer issues, purchas- the rest of the family were
best help the family. Diane and ing, banking, etc. thrilled beyond description.
Mark began reinforcing the • Diane would return home The San Diego Media, nu-
need for Joe to return to his to assist in getting Mark and merous family, friends, and
studies, which was the best way herself to the day’s baseball neighbors began to converge on
to assist. Mark also had a talk game. the Musgrove home to congrat-
with Joe about continuing to fo- • Rush home after the game ulate Joe and his family. Diane
cus on his baseball. Along with to complete the dinner was in her glory. This is a family
improved academics, he might menu (salad, garlic bread, that loves baseball, and this was
be able to get into college with Etc.) the highlight of Joe’s baseball
financial help from a scholar- • The evening was then spent career…Thus Far!
ship. Joe was able to turn these with dinner, dessert, and a Over the next few years,
issues around, and he graduated discussion about what this Joe would make his way
from Grossmont in 2011. scout feels about Joe’s future through the minor leagues, and
During Joe’s senior year of in professional baseball. Diane would take several trips
high school, his baseball skills around the country to watch
improved so much that profes- You see, the importance of Joe play. In July of 2016, Joe was
sional scouts began showing a these visits was not only Diane’s promoted to the Major Leagues,
great deal of interest in him for personal pride in her home and where he remains to this day.
the 2011 Baseball Draft. During cooking skills, but she was aware In the Fall of 2017, Diane,
Joe’s senior year at Grossmont that the scouts were evaluating Mark, and the family would
High, the flurry of scouts at- the home environment and fam- make flights between San Diego,
tending the Grossmont Baseball ily unit during these visits. Houston, and Los Angeles. Joe

27