Cyclone alum Danny Muno makes Mets debut

“It definitely came as surprise,” said Danny Muno on his April 17 call-up to the Mets at Citi Field. Just the previous evening, Muno was playing at Triple-A Sacramento as he was told in jest that he was being taken out of the game for not hustling, when in reality management had already arranged for him to catch an overnight flight to New York.

For Muno, his Friday night debut against the Marlins would be his second visit to Citi Field. His first came in 2011 when the rookie Cyclone infielder was the Penn League’s top hitter (.356) and collected his end-of-season MVP Sterling Award.

After being an essential cog in the Mets Triple-A Las Vegas run to win their division in 2014, Muno was given a chance to make the club out of spring training and was just edged out of an opening day roster spot when veteran Dan Murphy made his return from an injury.

With the Mets’ bench short of players and David Wright out on a hamstring strain, Muno was added to the roster and was asked to pinch hit in the Mets 7-6 win over the Marlins. Stepping into the batter’s box for pitcher Bartolo Colon, the switch hitter batting left-handed smacked a line drive off the Marlins’ pitcher for a his first major league hit and then proceeded to steal second.

“That’s great news; I couldn’t be prouder for him,” said Muno’s first manager, 2011 Cyclone skipper Rich Donnelly, who is now coaching for the Seattle Mariners. Donnelly further went on to say, “Everybody always knew Danny could hit and get on base. Nobody worked harder on his defense, base running and all aspects of the game to make himself Major League ready. I am so happy for him and his great family. I love him!!”