The Pittsburgh Pirates had a full-circle moment Wednesday when their 2010 15th-round pick Drew Maggi got his first career MLB at-bat after 13 years in the minor leagues with several different franchises.
It took 13 seasons and 1,155 minor league games, but he finally got to dig in against Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia in the ninth inning. He pinch hit for a Pirates legend who is also in his second stint with the team, Andrew McCutchen, as a DH.
Although Maggi struck out swinging in what would end up being an 8-1 Pirates win, he had the crowd in full throat behind him. Umpire Jeff Nelson even stepped away and paused the pitch clock to let him soak it in.
Maggi was brought up from Double-A to fill the roster spot left behind by the recently-extended Bryan Reynolds, who was placed on the bereavement list this week.
Maggi got the post-game interview at PNC Park, where he acknowledged the crowd.
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"I really can't — I can't explain how I was feeling in the box," he said. "I didn't even know what to do, you guys were cheering me on. I never expected that. And through the journey I thought I'd make my debut, it'd be a normal at-bat, obviously special but the crowd cheering my name. I got my parents here. My three brothers. Sister back at home. I mean this is unbelievable, thank you everybody.
“Anything is possible. Never give up.”
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 27, 2023
Drew Maggi will forever be a Major Leaguer. pic.twitter.com/8qQxQsPKso
The moment Maggi entered underneath the words of Roberto Clemente was similarly magical.
A moment he'll never forget. pic.twitter.com/DRMoWbsc2W
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 27, 2023
Drew Maggi's MLB debut
This isn't the first time Maggi has seen an MLB roster. He was part of the Twins' taxi squad in 2021, but he didn't get off the bench when he made his way to The Show.
"[In] 11 years, I thought my career was over 20 times, and something would always happen, whether it be something small like my mom texting me to keep going or a friend saying, 'We believe in you,' or myself just trying to find some sort of motivation," Maggi said with the Twins in 2021.
Maggi's whole career has built to this moment, and his humility shines through every time he talks.
After 11 seasons in the minors, Drew Maggi gets his first call up with the @Twins.
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) September 18, 2021
He talks about the moment he found out. pic.twitter.com/gmvojhycOk
An infielder, Maggi truly didn't seem to appreciate the weight his at-bat would carry, nor did he apparently expect the reaction from the Pittsburgh crowd. It clearly only made the moment more special to him, as evidenced by the big smile he had during his postgame interview.
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It's an inspiration to players who toil away in the minors waiting for their shot as well... As evidenced by a player going 0 for 1 with a strikeout getting an on-field interview.
