Watching Andrew McCutchen in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform is a welcome sight for fans.
It brings back a lot of good memories for them, memories from times in which they were competitive.
Since their World Series title in 1979, the Pirates have gone to the playoffs just six times, divided in two three-year periods: 1990-1992 and 2013-2015.
Those are, not coincidentally, Barry Bonds’ and McCutchen’s respective primes.
So, yes, you have to be very good to take the Pirates to the playoffs.
He helped them reach the Division Series in 2013 and even won an MVP award in a Pirates uniform.
Peak McCutchen was an extraordinarily talented batter, capable of hitting .300 with 25 homers and 20 steals.
After leaving via trade in 2018, he has returned home five years later.
At 36, he remains a highly competitive player and a franchise hero, even though he is clearly not as good as he was in his prime.
In 2022 with the Milwaukee Brewers, he hit 17 home runs and had a .700 OPS.
He is set to lead a few talented young players and prospects, helping them reach their potential.
He is even showing his power in spring training action.
Ladies & Gentlemen… Andrew McCutchen. pic.twitter.com/JoKMS7AowF
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 21, 2023
We don’t know when McCutchen will retire, but it sure would be cool for him to say goodbye from the game he loves in front of the fans that shared lots of happy moments with him.
A troubled, dysfunctional franchise that trades its best players and isn’t active enough in free agency, the Pirates made a good move by bringing back one of the fans’ favorites.
Let’s hope he can go out in style, hopefully in a run to make the playoffs.
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