Dear Andrew McCutchen,
You do not know who I am and probably never will, but you should know the impact that you have had on people, like myself, all across Pittsburgh. While most people were Steelers fans and beginning to hop back on the Penguins bandwagon, my favorite team was, and somehow still is, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The best players of my childhood consisted of a one hit wonder Oliver Perez, a power hitting outfielder in Jason Bay and an injury prone Freddy Sanchez. Furthermore let us not forget the greatness that was Jack Wilson, Brian Giles and Jason Kendall. All of these guys I loved, but it wasn’t until a dreadlocked center fielder came up that I truly found my sports hero. It seems like from the moment you came up, things would be different with my favorite team. Your combination of speed and power gave the Pirates an elite superstar, one of the best this organization has ever seen, while your infectious smile and big heart made baseball fun again for an entire city. On a more personal note, you helped me through one of the most difficult parts of my life without ever knowing. 2011 was when I really got into baseball. During that season, you led the Pirates to be above .500 at the all star break for the first time in my entire life and were a contending team until that unfortunate collapse. Also during that time, my mother was fighting the battle of her life with cancer. It’s safe to say that the Pirates, led by you in centerfield, were my outlet. In 2012 you guys improved, but still ultimately fell short of the ultimate goal of ending that infamous 20 year losing streak. That same year, I lost my mother to cancer. It was by far the most difficult part of my life. I had my friends and family to help me, but when I was alone and on the verge of thinking dark thoughts, only turning on the Pirates would cause my to cheer up. The outlet became a love, and you became my hero. A lot of people view you as someone who changed their favorite organization for the better, well you changed my entire life. The following year, after losing my mom, I was able watch your mom sing the national anthem before my favorite team led by my hero would defeat your rival in the wild card game. It is a moment that is probably the single greatest moment in my life. While I will always remember the homeruns, the Cueto chant and Liriano’s amazing performance, when I think of that game the first thought through my head is that national anthem. It was the calm before the storm. When your mom was singing the national anthem, I had the chance to take a breath and fully comprehend what was about to happen. I felt like it was a sign from God, that no matter how dark things can get, there’s always light at the end. I saw grown men with full fledged tears running down their faces, knowing that I wasn’t alone in experiencing this feeling. And the following three hours after that moment, I had a clear head for the first time in a long time. You were the face of the team that inspired me. You came to me, and a lot of people in Pittsburgh, as almost a sign of God. It’s something that only a sports fan can understand and I thank you for that. I know that there are people in Pittsburgh who are worse off than me. I am blessed with an amazing family and wonderful friends who would jump off the Clemente Bridge for me if I asked them to. Not everyone can say they have that, but it was you who helped me realize that. It was you that helped me realize that I am, in fact, blessed. I am sure that I am not the only person whose life got significantly better when you debuted. I am sure that I am not the only person who cried real tears this afternoon. The moment they decide to retire your jersey, the moment I will donate all of my jerseys to the Pirates to save Bob Nutting another buck. This is a business, I get that, but for a lot of yinzers out there, you were a big part of our lives. And now you’re gone, just like that. With you leaving, an era goes as well. It was quick, but boy was it glorious. I think back to a quote from my favorite show the office, “How come we don’t know we’re in the good times, till we already left them?”. The good times with you may be gone, but at least you have a real chance to get the title that you deserve. I wish it would come in black and gold, but it will come, you deserve it. To wrap things up, on behalf of all the fans that have that personal connection with you, I thank you. I thank you for saving a franchise. I thank you for being the best human being, as far as a sports figure goes, this town has seen since Roberto Clemente. Your name will always be talked with Clemente, and the rest of the Pirate greats, for me. Good luck in San Francisco and win a world series for two cities. The one you’re at now, and the one you’re regrettably forced to leave behind. I will always be a Pirate fan, but no matter who you play for, you will always be my hero. From, Logan Carney
15 Comments
Jamnana
1/16/2018 07:12:29 am
Well said. I hope Cutch sees this. God bless.
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tlgrandma
1/17/2018 10:51:59 pm
I totally agree with you. Jamnana
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Terrific tribute to “Cutch”
1/16/2018 08:18:24 am
Great letter to a great man
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1/16/2018 10:15:00 am
sorry the almighty dollar got in the way of keeping a terrific player and a wonderful man. hope to see you play for the giants.my late husband and I watched the games at home in the hospital and nursing home. just know I wish you and your family the best.
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Glenn Shumsky
1/16/2018 01:45:05 pm
Very well done 👍... I could not agree with you more! Andrew McCutchen should have never been treated as a commodity! He meant more to most Pittsburghers than the greedy Nuttings will ever know! All the Nuttings are worried about is their money, it is hard for me not to be bitter. I wish Andrew the best in San Francisco! I wish him a World Series next year, and I thank him for the beautiful memories he has given our city . I hope Andrew gets to read these comments and know what most people in Pittsburgh felt about him! All the best Andrew! We will truly truly truly miss you!
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Denise
1/17/2018 06:16:55 am
I have such respect for you sweet Andrew. I watched your amazing wife grow up and now thru Kathy will have the Great privilege of watching your son grow up if only from afar. I don’t watch baseball, I don’t watch any sport but who and what you are is so much more than what any notoriety thru athletics could ever be. I read articles written about your service, your God, your hopes and dreams, your love of family.
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Susan
1/17/2018 08:06:28 am
The # 22 will be never the same. You made us very proud to be a Pittsburgh Pirate Fan now & Forever. God Bless.
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Connie
1/17/2018 10:13:11 am
Hi Andrew, I am Sueann’s mother. I never had a chance to meet you when you were home, but I have heard from all in the family about you.
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Dee
1/17/2018 12:04:41 pm
Wish you good luck on your new chapter in life. We yinzers will miss seeing you in black and gold.
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Deb Hoeft
1/17/2018 12:37:06 pm
You bring honor and glory to God, as you what God has called you to do. Seems like God heard and answered all the prayers of your family & the pastors who laid hands on you before going to Pittsburgh for the seasons you were there. Now He’s moving you to impact another team, town, & fans for Him. So grateful your life is blessing others as I know your dad did when I taught him in Ft Meade! Keep that McCutchen smile, for in it others see Christ!
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Debra Redhead
1/17/2018 04:19:01 pm
My Mother was 91 when she passed away in 2012. Her favorite player was Roberto Clemente and as she would say, my McCutchen. There will never be a greater fan than my Mom. The Pirates would send her a birthday card with players signing it. You were her favorite player and made her life much happier. Thank you for playing the game of baseball and carrying yourself with such respect. I wish you luck and will continue to follow you. As my Mother always said, ALWAYS A PIRATE FAN.. Her name was Freda Green and she would be one sad fan! God Bless
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John
1/18/2018 06:33:46 pm
Amen to that. This is really an amazing letter that so many of us Pittsburghers can relate to. Growing up I had a love for baseball and the Pirates and cutch brought so much hope and change to all our lives and helped bring back the spirit of the great game that it is. And that is really special and evident in the community among the younger kids now
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Barbara Watterson
1/18/2018 06:42:50 pm
I am so saddened by the trade of Andrew from Pittsburgh. I was my father’s ‘son’, my brother was not the baseball fan but my dada and I rode the streetcar to Forbes Field and he would always point out the wall where Maz won it all. We’d sit in right field and yell for Roberto and feel sad that Willie couldn’t hear us call his name.
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Kay Thomas
1/18/2018 08:36:35 pm
Wish I ‘d said that! Miss you already ‘Cutch!
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Keith
1/20/2018 10:14:19 am
The letter to Cutch captured some of the emotions I am feeling. While Clemente was said to have a royalty about him. I would Andrew McCutchen played with grace. It is a quality which followed him off the field as well. Thank you for sharing.
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