RJ Mustaro decided just to take two championships and call the doctor in the morning.
The Gloucester Catholic High School graduate won his second straight Division III College World Series in his sophomore season with Rowan College of South Jersey in Gloucester last month.
The feat was even more impressive as Mustaro broke the hamate bone in his left hand just a month before the World Series and was expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Mustaro, who was named tournament MVP, had other ideas.
“I had surgery a month before the World Series, so I didn’t think I’d really be playing in it,” said Mustaro, who played right field for the Roadrunners. “Just being able to come back and play, but to play good enough to be MVP, was really a blessing.”
The hamate bone is located on the lower outside edge of the hand. It has a hook-shaped projection to which muscles of the pinky finger are attached. The injury is common to baseball players, and Mustaro had part of the hamate bone surgically removed, which is also a common procedure.
The only uncommon thing was Mustaro not being able to play the sport he loves.
“It was harder to watch,” said Mustaro, who also played football and basketball at Gloucester Catholic. “I’ve never really been hurt before, so I didn’t know what to do with myself. Once I was able to hold a bat, I did. It was a little weird not playing for a month, but it’s like riding a bike.”
Recovery time is typically six to eight weeks for a surgically removed hamate bone. Mustaro healed up in a month – at least to his preferred comfort level.
“I was supposed to not swing until [mid-June], but I just kind of taped it up and played the World Series,” he said. “I was cleared to start doing physical therapy, so I just kind of said I was good to play ball.”
Mustaro returned May 15 and played the final seven games of the year, recording at least one hit in every game. He batted .520 in those games, including a 7-for-12 (six RBIs) performance in the final three games.
“It was hard to squeeze a bat and hard to squeeze a glove, but I powered through for a World Series championship,” Mustaro said.
Mustaro will continue his career at Monmouth University, where he will continue to study business management. He valued his time at Rowan College of South Jersey. “It was a great learning experience and a great place to go and develop. I wouldn’t trade those two years for anything.”
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