Maggi glad to share his big-league dream
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It took Drew Maggi 13 years of professional baseball to reach the pinnacle of the sport by appearing in a Major League Baseball game.
That moment on April 26th was a magical moment that featured a standing ovation from the Pittsburgh faithful, but also captivated an entire sport and nation.
"I think it's a great story for the working class American and the young aspiring player that has that dream, to make it to the big leagues and the fact that he's willing to stay 13 years and keep fighting for another opportunity," Curve manager Callix Crabbe said.
The opportunity for Maggi has forever changed him, but it's also opened up a plethora of other opportunities for him outside of the game. A vast change from his life and career before being called up.
"My life has completely changed in all facets," Maggi said. "People know my name … it's just a little bit overwhelming for me and at times just because I'm a ballplayer you know, so it's just a little different there.
Then the off field stuff, getting calls from established big leaguers just talking shop and getting to know me and inspired by my story."
The Major League chapter of his now storybook career ended on the road in Washington prior to the Pirates taking on the Nationals. But then fate stepped in and Maggi got another chance to take advantage of an incredible opportunity.
"I went to get a haircut, and while I was getting it cut, Derek Shelton called me a good nine times so I called him back," Maggi recalled. "He said, 'Here's the deal. If we get rained out tonight, you're gonna be the 27th man, stay by your phone. I ended up staring at my phone for about three hours and finally got a text that said, 'Hey, we got rained out be ready tomorrow, you're going to be the 27th man for the doubleheader.'"
Being able to continue that chapter was something he hadn't been expecting, but just like before Maggi took full advantage of the opportunity despite the multitude of emotions coursing through his body throughout his week in the big leagues.
"It was just a cool week because it kind of summed up my career, it was so great, but there were a lot of challenges, a lot of emotion," Maggi said. "Chasing that hit and then getting sent down before and it was like I was getting another opportunity and it kind of came down to just a battle of an at bat to finally get that hit."
Maggi notched two hits in that April 29th contest against Washington while also scoring a run and knocking one in.
Following the game, he was sent back to Altoona and while Nationals Park was booming with Maggi chants, he's not been able to fully grasp the magnitude of those moments.
"It's probably something I haven't really processed fully yet because I'm still in the grind of the season," Maggi said. "There's been a lot of tears of joy going on."
While there might be some disappointment to be back in Altoona, you wouldn't be able to tell when speaking with him. One thing is for certain, Crabbe and company are happy to have him back.
"I think his stories will have more equity now. He actually can see that he's a big leaguer now getting his hit, and then getting into record books and so from that standpoint, he can share now with players," Crabbe said. "One of the things that he shared with us was his first start, the amount of focus that he had in the entire game when the game got done, he slept like 10 hours. So what does that mean? It means that the stakes are higher in the big leagues and hearing that from him is a valuable opportunity for young players and why it's important to stay engaged in the game."
For now, Maggi is embracing being back with the Curve and getting back to some semblance of normalcy though he's even more thrilled about what's next to come for him regardless of whether he makes it back to the Majors.
"I'm excited for just the things that have happened, the doors that have opened up and it's definitely been a big adjustment because I'm getting a bunch of calls every day which for me, I'm just used to playing baseball going home throwing on Netflix and going to bed,"
The next chapter to be written for Maggi is unknown, but one thing is for certain, there will always be a lot of gratitude for the fans of the Pirates and the Pirates organization itself.
"I'm just thankful to the Pirates because they didn't have to do that," Maggi said. "It was unexpected and now I'm just grateful, thankful."