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Back in the ‘Burgh: Fans React to Andrew McCutchen Signing With Pirates

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After rumors swirled for weeks that Pittsburgh could sign outfielder Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates agreed to terms with their best player of the 21st century on a one-year, $5-million contract.

Only McCutchen, 36, knows if the move is right for him: if, at this point in his career, with retirement approaching, the emotions of coming home to the rebuilding Pirates outweigh getting one last chance at a championship. Outside of the offices at 115 Federal Street, no one knows whether he’s here to stay for the season, or if this is a lifeline to get him on a big league roster, to move him to a contender at the trade deadline.

But for now, none of that matters. Andrew McCutchen is home.

From the fan’s perspective, it shouldn’t happen any other way. He resurrected the franchise, elevating them from two decades of losing seasons to three straight wild card berths, the best era of Pirates baseball in recent memory. For the younger generation of fans, McCutchen is Pittsburgh. He’s the Pirates best player since Barry Bonds and Willie Stargell, and the chance to see McCutchen don the black and gold one last time—the summer of memories he’ll bring with him—is a storybook chapter that almost writes itself.

He’s a beloved player around the league, with baseball fans across the country praising the move and what it means for a long-suffering fanbase.

Here’s how fans, both in Pittsburgh and abroad, reacted to the news that after five long years, Cutch is finally coming home. 

 

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