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.

The prelude

Maggi was called up from Double A on Sunday when Bryan Reynolds was placed on the bereavement list. He 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…