Pirates’ Drew Maggi, 33, makes long-awaited MLB debut vs. Dodgers

After 13 years in the minors, 33-year-old Drew Maggi made his long-awaited MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:

Maggi, who was called up Sunday from Double-A Altoona, entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning to pinch-hit for Andrew McCutchen with Pittsburgh leading 8-1.
He received a standing ovation from the PNC Park crowd before striking out against Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia.
The utility infielder played in 1,155 minor-league games over 13 seasons.

In his first MLB postgame interview, Drew Maggi says anything is possible.
“Never give up no matter what you're doing. If you love something, go for it."
🎥 @Pirates
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 27, 2023

The prelude

The Pirates called up Maggi from Double A on Sunday after placing Bryan Reynolds on the bereavement list. Maggi spent the past two games on the bench.

When Reynolds was activated Wednesday, outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba was demoted to Triple A. That meant Maggi got more time to realize his dream of taking an at-bat in the big leagues after playing in 1,155 minor league games over 13 seasons.

Before Wednesday’s game, manager Derek Shelton said he wanted to get Maggi in a game but made no guarantees.

“My commitment, and I think Drew understands this, is to all 25 guys in that clubhouse,” Shelton said. “If we figure out a right spot where we think he can help us win a game, he’ll play.”

When the Pirates built a 3-0 lead in the sixth inning Wednesday, Maggi had a good feeling.

“I started to think, ‘This is your night,’” Maggi said. “The guys started hitting, we started rallying, started rolling, scoring runs. I took off the jersey, trying to feel how cold it was. I probably cleaned my glasses 45 times. Got to be clean for this at-bat.” — Biertempfel

The decision

The Pirates put the game out of reach in the seventh inning by batting around to make it 8-0. In the dugout, bench coach Don Kelly and hitting coach Andy Haines began to lobby for Maggi.

“I was like, ’Do not talk about this until we get through the eighth,’” Shelton said. “As we continued to add on (run), I was like, ’All right, we’re gonna be in a situation where we can do this.’”

Designated hitter Andrew McCutchen was due up second in the eighth. When Shelton went over to talk with McCutchen, the veteran already had his hoodie on and signaled he was done for the night.

“I think if I wouldn’t have told Cutch (to give way to Maggi), Cutch probably would have told me,” Shelton said.

Shelton turned and spotted Maggi.

“He just looked at me and said, ‘You ready?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘You’re hitting,’” Maggi said. “It was kind of like, ‘It’s your time, so let’s go.’ I liked the way he did it.” — Biertempfel

The at-bat

Umpire Jeff Nelson stepped away from the plate to allow Maggi extra time to soak up the moment. The crowd of 12,152 began to chant Maggi’s name.

“It felt like a packed house,’ Maggi said. “It was crazy. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to take off my helmet or what. It’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

The first pitch from Vesia was a 94 mph fastball on the upper inside edge of the strike zone. Maggi whipped it high and hard down the third-base line.

“I knew it was foul right away, but I was happy with the result,” Maggi said. “I’ve been telling people for a long time that I didn’t care where it was, I was swinging at that first pitch. If I hadn’t done it, I would have regretted it.”

A pitch clock violation put Maggi down in the count 0-2.

“No comment there,” Maggi said with a wry grin. “Yeah, that was tough.”

Maggi fouled off a pitch, took a ball, and then struck out swinging.

As he jogged back to the dugout, Maggi got a second standing ovation.

“I’ve never been more happy for a strikeout in my life,” Maggi said. — Biertempfel

The postscript

Maggi’s parents, brothers and uncle were at PNC Park to witness his debut. After the game, the family gathered near the edge of the dugout for hugs, smiles and photos.

“My mom was crying,” Maggi said. My dad was … I haven’t seen my dad cry ever. So it was emotional.”

The Pirates will play their series finale against the Dodgers on Thursday, then begin a six-game road trip to Washington and Tampa Bay. The club hasn’t indicated if Maggi will stick with the team or head back to Double A.

If it turns out to be Maggi’s only at-bat in the majors, was the long wait worth it?

“One hundred percent, because I love baseball,” Maggi said. “I was grinding for 13 years, but I was doing what I loved. Getting here, my name’s in history. I put on a big-league uniform. I shared the field with the world’s greatest. I can finally sleep at night, hopefully.” — Biertempfel

Backstory

A 15th-round pick in 2010, Maggi climbed the Pirates’ system to Double-A Altoona but was released in 2015. After that, he bounced around the minors with five organizations. On Sept. 18, 2021, the Twins called Maggi up to the majors when Rob Refsnyder sustained an elbow injury. Maggi spent three days in The Show but was sent back to Triple A without appearing in a big-league game. Last summer, the Phillies traded Maggi to the Pirates, and he came to spring training this year as a non-roster invitee but failed to make the Opening Day roster.

According to MLB, Maggi became the ninth-oldest player to make his AL/NL debut in the Expansion Era (since 1961), excluding players who began their careers in a foreign league.