Peter Maris making a name for himself
This story appeared in the 8th edition of Cookbook, the official gameday ingredients of the Montgomery Biscuits.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — In baseball, there are several last names which stand out. Historically, Aaron, Mays and Ruth draw attention. Presently, the likes of Griffey, Jeter and Pujols possess an aura.
Yet, no matter the region, the surname Maris — thanks to Roger and his one-time record of 61 home runs in a season — continues to hold a legacy which fails to lose its luster.
A luster Peter Maris is not connected to in any way.
“People ask me all the time, and I am not related to clear that up,” the Biscuits’ infielder said while smiling. “I think it is a great last name, obviously, but I’m not really focused on him. I’m just going out every day and doing the best I can.”
Growing up in Southern California, Maris was destined for professional baseball. The Laguna Niguel native played the game early in his adolescence, learning from his father, Pete. In college, Maris’ father and uncle suited up for Cal Poly Pomona, manning the middle infield for the Broncos. Thus, from a very young age, Maris had an experienced mentor helping him realize his potential.
“When I was younger I played soccer a couple years and swam maybe one or two years, but it was mainly baseball,” said Maris. “My dad showed me the way.”
One ‘way’ Pete built his son into the player he is today remains present each time the 24-year old steps into the batters’ box. Maris’ father encouraged Peter to bat left-handed, in spite of the latter throwing with his right. Although hitting from the left side can be awkward for a right-hander at first, the Dana Hills High School product is filled with profound gratitude when remembering his father’s training.
“The best thing he did was make me bat left-handed,” Maris recalled with a chuckle. “He’s helped me so much throughout my whole career, I can’t thank him enough.
“He’s my best coach.”
During four years of Division I baseball at UC Santa Barbara, Maris silently produced as an underrated piece of the starting lineup. Playing alongside future fourth overall pick Dillon Tate as well as current teammate Dalton Kelly, the third baseman would go undrafted before signing with the Tampa Bay Rays.
As a professional, Maris has continued to hone his craft while moving through the organization. From breaking out of slumps to battling an injury this April, the now fourth-year pro has endured some foreboding moments. The tumultuous times aside, Maris is always enjoying the dream he is living.
“It’s really a dream come true,” Maris said of playing professional baseball. “Most of my friends aren’t playing anymore. All the relationships I’ve built over the past year has been fun.”
With the success of the past 16 months, Maris never forgets the individual who spent hours hitting ground balls on the diamond and showed the budding Rays’ prospect how to swing. In fact, a day does not pass without Maris and his father having a conversation about mechanics.
It is in this manner, Pete Maris vicariously experiences professional baseball. Whether it is a lead-off home run or tying a career-best 11-game hitting streak, the former infielder enjoys the aspirations realized by his son.
Of course, when Maris has an experience as he did on March 4, 2018 — hitting a home run against the New York Yankees in Spring Training — at the top of his text messages are sentiments from his mother, Rose Ann, and his father.
“That home run was awesome because it was on TV and all my family was watching back home,” Maris said. “I was trying to get the ball out and it happened to go over the fence.”
Maris, donning the butter and blue, transitioned smoothly following his promotion from High-A Charlotte. He has already set a new career-high with 10 home runs while holding a batting average above his previous professional best.
Regardless of his accolades and credentials, a familiar question follows the former Gaucho while on the road: ‘Are you related to Roger Maris?’
“They ask in every town I go to. I usually get it once or twice,” Maris admitted. “It’s not a big deal. I’m used to it.”
But, if Peter Maris continues the exponential growth seen since college, he may soon become a household name, as Roger did preceding him.
