Pirates’ Drew Maggi makes ‘improbable’ MLB debut at age 33
Drew Maggi’s lengthy adventure to the key leagues culminated in his first profession at-bat Wednesday evening.
The 33-year-old infielder, who performed 1,155 video games in 13 minor league seasons ahead of being known as up by means of the Pirates previous this week, seemed within the pinch within the 8th inning, hitting within the lone at-bat as Pittsburgh beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-1 at PNC Park.
Maggi hit Andrew McCutchen with one out within the 8th inning to applause from his Pirates teammates and the sparse stadium crowd. He retired the primary pitcher he noticed after a bad by means of Alex Vesio, then were given into an 0-2 hollow after house plate umpire Jeff Nelson known as him a shot clock violation. Maggi drew any other foul after which took the ball ahead of putting out by means of swinging a Vesia slider.
A second he’s going to by no means omit. percent.twitter.com/DRMoWbsc2W
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 27, 2023
“That is the most efficient strikeout I have ever had,” Maggi stated with a grin.
Requested at the box after the sport how he felt that evening, Maggi added: “I in reality can not (put it into phrases). I will’t give an explanation for how I felt within the (batter’s) field. I did not even know what to do. You guys cheered me on. I do not know, I did not be expecting it. Throughout the travel, I believed I’d make my debut and it will be customary at bat. Clearly particular, however the crowd is cheering my identify, my folks are right here, my 3 brothers, my sister at house. I imply, that is wonderful . Thanks all.”
Maggi has a profession reasonable of .254 with 978 hits, 45 house runs, 354 RBIs and 222 stolen bases within the minors since being drafted by means of the Pirates within the fifteenth spherical out of Arizona State (447 general) in 2010. Wednesday marked his twelfth 12 months. , 10 months and 18 days since he was once elected.
The Pirates known as him up over the weekend from Double-A Altoona — video of him being instructed of the call-up confirmed a heartfelt second — when outfielder Bryan Reynolds was once positioned at the bereavement record. Supervisor Derek Shelton did not discover a position to make use of Maggi right through his first two video games in Pittsburgh, and Maggi feared a repeat in 2019, when the Minnesota Twins known as him up for a couple of days however did not seem in a sport.
“I noticed my dad cry. I don’t believe I have ever noticed him cry ahead of. All the ones years I puzzled what I’d say to my folks if that second ever got here. They have been there for me. Listening to the ones phrases made all of it profitable . I do know that the remaining 13 years have no longer been wasted.”
Drew Maggi makes his extremely expected MLB debut
Shelton, who was once the Twins’ bench trainer on the time, was once extremely joyful as a way to herald Maggi this time.
“That was once cool. That was once in reality cool,” Shelton stated. “I imply to be ready, since I have recognized him, as a way to be the individual that instructed him (to pinch-hit) that he was once in reality nice.”
Maggi stated he by no means regretted spending greater than a decade within the minors. Alternatively, he admitted that with the stroke of the bat on Wednesday, all the ones years of chasing his dream have been price it.
“I really like baseball,” Maggi stated. “I performed for 13 years, however I did what I cherished. Without equal purpose is the large league. Simply to come back right here, my identify is in historical past. I placed on a large league uniform and shared the sphere with the arena’s biggest avid gamers.”
Maggi spent a couple of moments after the sport visiting circle of relatives by means of the field fence. The magnitude of the instant hit him when he noticed his folks, who had traveled from Phoenix, and different members of the family.
“It was once numerous, ‘I like you. We are happy with you. You made it!'” Maggi stated. “I noticed my dad cry. I don’t believe I have ever noticed him cry ahead of. All the ones years I puzzled what I’d say to my folks if that second ever got here. They have been there for me. Listening to the ones phrases made all of it profitable . I do know that the remaining 13 years have no longer been wasted.”
