The Other Side: Andrew McCutchen Has Fan in Guardians Manager Stephen Vogt

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a recurring series that spotlights Pittsburgh Pirates-oriented news and notes from their opponents.

No major-league manager is more closely removed from his playing days than the Cleveland Guardians’ Stephen Vogt.

Just two years ago, Vogt was a catcher with the Oakland Athletics, wrapping up his 10-year playing career. He spent last season as the Seattle Mariners’ bullpen coach then was hired by the Guardians in the offseason to replace the retiring Terry Francona.

So, Vogt has a strong pulse on current players. One of his favorites is Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen.

“Andrew McCutchen is one of the best people in this game. He’s a great person,” Vogt said Friday before the Pirates and Guardians began a three-game series at Progressive Field that concludes Sunday.

“I’ve got to know him a tick but not enough. He’s a true pro, goes about his business the right way, plays the game the right way, always has.”

McCutchen is still a productive player.

He was activated from the injured list Friday and went 2 for 5 with a double and a home run in the Pirates’ 10-8 loss. McCutchen is hitting .238/.339/.415 with 17 homers in 103 games.

“For him to be in Pittsburgh, it’s really cool to see,” Vogt said, referring to McCutchen returning to the Pirates last season five years after being traded. “He’s been one of my favorite players to play against and watch play. I have the utmost respect for Andrew McCutchen and what he’s accomplished.”

Jameson Taillon Still Loves Pittsburgh

Former Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon was back at PNC Park on Monday night and was the winning pitcher as the Chicago Cubs outlasted his old team 18-8.

The Pirates traded Taillon to the New York Yankees three weeks before spring training began in 2021 for four players. However, the Pirates don’t have much to show for it as pitchers Roansy Contreras and Miguel Yajure were both lost on waiver claims after being designated for assignment. Outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba was released at Triple-A Indianapolis in July.

The only player remaining in the organization is infielder Maikol Escotto, hitting just .215/.257/.355 in 68 games at High-A Greensboro.

Taillon, meanwhile, is 9-8 with a 3.85 ERA in 23 starts this season while in the second year of a four-year, $68-million contract. He has now faced the Pirates four times since the trade, going 2-2 with a 5.96 ERA, and says the emotion of facing the team that selected him second overall in the 2010 amateur draft has waned.

“I was with the Pirates organization for 10 years and knew a lot of people and a lot of those people are still here,” Taillon said. “I built relationships with a lot of people in the front office and coaching staff, and I still recognize people in the tunnels here working and the security guards and all.

“It’s really cool to be back. I think the emotional part is now probably done but it’s still always good to come back and see so many good people. I’ll always have fond memories of my time in Pittsburgh.”

J.R. House Finds His Niche

J.R. House didn’t pan out how the Pirates hoped as a player. However, he is quietly making his mark in the major leagues as a coach.

House is in his sixth season as third base coach for the Cincinnati Reds on manager David Bell’s staff. Before that, he spent seven years working in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ farm system, including winning the California League Manager of the Year award in 2015 with High-A Visalia.

The 44-year-old House was once ranked as the Pirates’ top prospect by Baseball America. However, he appeared in just six major-league games with Pittsburgh during the 2003 and 2004 seasons and 32 total games over five seasons, including stints with the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles.

House, a former catcher, has found his niche in coaching.

“I really love everything about it,” House said last weekend when the Reds visited PNC Park. “I love being around the game and helping players get better.”