MLB Cup of Coffee Week - Matt Macri

You’re essentially the Joe Mauer of Iowa

Not many athletes are ready to play professional sports at 18 years old. Many Moonlighters have talked about the transition from high school to college and then grinding their way into professional roster or lineup. Season 8 opens with a guy who actually turned down his first shot at professional baseball so he could play college baseball and get his education. This week, Tim sits down with Matt Macri to talk about playing for Notre Dame, working his way into the majors, and life after baseball.

I am most proud of the path I got there by

Matt Macri was a standout football and baseball player at Dowling Catholic. On the gridiron, Macri led the Maroons to a state championship and was being recruited by Big 10 and Big 12 schools to play quarterback, but baseball was his first love. And after a stellar high school career as a shortstop and pitcher, Macri was first drafted out of high school by the Minnesota Twins in the 17th round of the 2001 draft, the same year they drafted Joe Mauer. But after a recruiting visit to Notre Dame, Macri knew he wanted to play for the Irish.

Macri was part of a great recruiting class and arrived at Notre Dame during a high point in the baseball program. After an injury and Tommy-John surgery during his freshman year, Macri lived up to the hype and was an all-conference and All American player and was drafted in the 5th round by the Colorado Rockies in 2004. Part of signing with the Rockies was a plan for Matt to finish his degree. 

You’re here for a reason, don’t worry about it

Matt Macri started his pro career in low A, short-season ball and worked his way up through the Rockies system and fighting through wrist injuries before being traded to the Minnesota Twins in 2007. Macri was called up by the Twins in 2008 and went 2-3 in his debut and .324 with 1 home run as pro. His last major league hit came off of Randy Johnson. In his career, Macri played over 700 games and had 81 home runs. After 7 years in professional baseball, Matt Macri retired and went back to Notre Dame to finish his degree and start his next career.

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