After over a decade toiling around in the minor leagues, Drew Maggi is getting his chance at the pro level.
Some dreams are worth chasing, even if they involve painstaking years of uncertainty, transient lifestyles, and experiencing the not-so-glamorous side of professional sports life. Drew Maggi stayed committed to his dream to play Major League Baseball, and he’s officially going to get his shot.
The Pittsburgh Pirates called Maggi up for the first time in his career. Maggi has been after this since 2010 when he kicked off his minor league career.
In total, Maggi has played 13 seasons of minor league ball and one overseas. These are the teams he’s played for since 2010:
- State College Spikes (Short-Season A)
- Bradenton Marauders (Advanced A)
- West Virginia Power (A)
- Altoona Curve (AA)
- Arkansas Travelers (AA)
- Tulsa Drillers (AA)
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA)
- Oklahoma City Dodgers (AAA)
- Columbus Clippers (AAA)
- Rochester Red Wings (AAA)
- St. Paul Saints (AAA)
- Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA)
- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
- Estrellas de Oriente (Dominican Winter League)
- Venados de Mazatlan (Mexican Pacific Winter League)
He’s been around the block and back several times over. He’s had staying power, but not quite enough to move up. It would have been reasonable to assume maybe his peak was the minors, but if you know anything about competitors, you know they don’t think that way.
Drew Maggi finding out he got MLB call up is inspiring
The Pirates Tweeted out a video of Drew Maggi learning he got called up. His manager gives an epic speech table-setting the meaningful and iconic call-up. Maggi is at first, dumbfounded over the news. Then, he suddenly snaps to and celebrates with his teammates.
This, folks, is what it’s all about. Pro sports have had such staying power and meaning to fans because the stories beneath it all are, at their core, relatable and inspiring.
Maggi will wear No. 39 for the Pirates. He plays a utility role all around the infield. He checked in with the team on Sunday:
If you’re a baseball fan, you’re a Maggi fan.