All offseason, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was plagued by trade rumors and complaints about his play.
Now, in a piece on the Players’ Tribune, McCutchen opens up about what all that was like.
He writes:
“I’m not gonna lie. I Googled my own name more than a few times this off-season to see if there was any news. It was hard not to when just about every conversation I had with friends, family and even strangers started with them asking me, “So, what’s the latest?”
Truth was, I didn’t know any more than anybody else. But there were times when the rumors got so intense and the stove got so hot that I would look down at my phone, almost expecting it to ring.
Cutch, you’ve been traded.
It’s always the things that haven’t happened yet that scare us the most. The fear of the unknown. And I honestly didn’t know where I was going to play baseball in 2017. There was no communication between the front office and me during the off-season … but that’s normal. Players aren’t consulted in trade talks. That’s not how the business works.
All I knew was that I wanted to keep playing in Pittsburgh. I wanted to finish what I had started here. I knew that I hadn’t played up to my capability last season, and that I had to use this off-season to get better. And I wasn’t going to let rumors distract me from doing that. I wasn’t going to get caught up in all the noise. As far as I’m concerned, until that phone rings and I’m told otherwise, I’m a Pittsburgh Pirate for life.
I dreaded that phone call for weeks — months, really.
Thankfully, it never came.”
McCutchen also talked about what it’s been like to live in Pittsburgh (how much he loves the fans, etc.), what he’s done to get back to back to top playing shape after struggling last year, his move to right field (he calls it “a shock”) and the business of baseball.
But, overall, he talked about what it means to wear the black and gold.
“And the city of Pittsburgh and wearing a Pirates uniform is just a part of who I am. If you think I’m going to give up or back down, then you better talk to my wife, Maria.
I’m a Pirate. I don’t want to be anything else.”
You can read the full piece here.
I avoided all the talk as much as I could! I’m 67 years old & I’ve been a Pirate fan since 1960 when Maz hit that homer. I was home sick that day. My dad always said I had “Buc fever”! Your fans agonized too (not nearly as much as you I’m sure) but we did! I couldn’t stand the thought of Cutch not being a Pirate anymore. No matter what position you play I’m thrilled you’re still a Bucco! I was there when you first came up & hit the three homeruns! Thank you for making Pirate baseball exciting again! Prayers & best wishes for the upcoming season! This lady cannot wait! Karen Evans
It’s to bad Cutch has had to go through this. The dude has been nothing but a stand up guy for all these years. A great ball player. Speed, glove, power, average. 4 tool player, just doesn’t have an arm. One average year and the Pirate organization is ready to run him out of town. Ridiculous and shameful. Loyalty to a fine person and player is non existent with these money grubbing assholes. I love the Buccos. I hate the ownership going back to just after the Galbreaths. Us knowledgeable fans love you Cutch, and always willl !!!! Thanks for all the great play for all these years, you have been fun to watch. And thanks for being a good citizen and philanthropist. I hope you can channel your frustrations with great play this year and shove it up all the naysayers asses…..