Drew Maggi showed up at PNG Field Saturday morning like business was usual.

That typical morning business included meetings with coaches where the message revolved around grit, taking advantage of opportunities and having the right perspective.

But Altoona Curve manager Callix Crabbe forgot to mention one important thing during his meetings: Drew Maggi was going to Pittsburgh.

“It’s with great pleasure that I get to promote my first person to the Major Leagues,” Crabbe said in a video released by the team. “Someone that is tremendously important to this group and someone that exemplifies grit and choice for what he wants in life. A lot of that is having the right perspective so Maggi, you’re going to get an opportunity to move up.”

It being Crabbe’s first player he’s promoted to the big leagues isn’t lost on the first-year Curve manager.

“The baseball field is and should be a place where players get to express themselves. That moment with Maggi going to the show is a wonderful picture being painted of what life looks like for most people,” Crabbe said. “Being a part of that moment was surreal. His expression of joy is just a perfect example of the life of a minor leaguer with hope. I could not be happier for him.”

The 33-year-old Maggi has appeared in 1,155 minor league games over his 13-year career, but he’s never played in a Major League game.

His contract was selected by Pittsburgh after the club placed outfielder Bryan Reynolds on the bereavement list and transferred infielder Ji-Man Choi to the 60-day Injured List.

Despite his journey, he’s been ready and was hyper aware of how close Pittsburgh since arriving back in Altoona, a place he called home during the 2012 season when he was in his first stint in the Pirates organization.

“Being close. I mean, I know some guys were called up from here last year,” Maggi said at the Curve’s media day. “It’s just a day to day grind and I know how to grind this thing out. You know, I’ve been doing it for 13 years. So hopefully that that call comes, but you know, I’ll be ready when it does or if it does.”

That grind has once again paid off though his promotion isn’t his first stint in the Majors after having been called up by the Minnesota Twins in 2021, only to not play.

Many others in Maggi’s shoes weren’t nearly as lucky as he has been just being assigned to Altoona and still playing in general.

“I’m thankful. I know a lot of guys guys that have played with over the years that are just getting into their 30s that had trouble getting a job this past year,” Maggi said. “I’m kind of thankful and grateful to still have a jersey on and, yeah, I mean, you still gotta play well, wherever you’re at.”

For now, that’s Pittsburgh. How long he stays there is to be determined, but regardless he’s still pursuing his ultimate goal like hundreds of thousands throughout the country. For that, every ounce of struggle and adversity has become worth it.

“A life chasing dreams is no doubt worth it,” Crabbe said.