Drew Maggi is the new fan favorite in Pittsburgh, where he made his major-league debut this week.
What’s the big deal? Maggi spent 12 years — count ’em, 12 years! — toiling in the minor leagues. He played in 1,115 minor league games before he got the call to go to the Bigs.
He went to the plate Wednesday night to pinch hit for Andrew McCutchen.
When he stepped into the batter’s box, the Pittsburgh Pirates crowd gave him a standing ovation. The Pirates were ahead 8-1, and eventually won the game. Maggi’s first plate appearance didn’t end heroically.
He fouled a pitch off, got called on a game-delay penalty and then struck out swinging.
Was he dismayed at his initial big-league appearance? Not at all.
Maggi said after the game: “It’s the best strikeout I ever had.”
Well said, young man. I can’t wait to see the reaction when he hits one out of the park.