Pirates

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

Published

2 years ago

January 13, 2023

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.

Andrew McCutchen back in Pittsburgh feels so right pic.twitter.com/ycVwuYOmdi

— Starting 9 (@Starting9) January 13, 2023

Cutch has the chance to reach:

2000 hits
400 doubles
300 homeruns
1000 walks

this year, which could be his last year, in what is essentially his home.

This just took my excitement up 1000% https://t.co/WdktldvfFX

— /inny 🅱️uffone (@Veno202) January 13, 2023

Andrew McCutchen returns!#Pittsburgh #Pirates #MLB #baseball #LetsGoBucs #Cutch https://t.co/nE6lkBSQLJ pic.twitter.com/I8D40toAed

— 1986-92 Pittsburgh Pirates (@1992Pirates) January 13, 2023

Welcome home, Cutch.

Now lets go get Starling Marte to bring back all the feels. https://t.co/96jIEfRaTm

— For Uche (@UrinatingTree) January 13, 2023

I hope the Pirates make Bryan Reynolds a Bucco for life. But regardless of what they do, they CANNOT trade him in 2023.

Give us one last Buctober with Cutch. All hands on deck. One last ride. pic.twitter.com/PAn60xG5Yx

— Kyle Saxon (@DixonDisciple) January 13, 2023

I don’t even care if Cutch is hitting his own weight by the end of the season. The fact of the matter is, he is a baseball king in this town. He’s the reason so many young fans got into baseball and why so many old fans came back. He’s a great role model for the current roster.

— Donny Football (@DonChed54) January 13, 2023

This cynical, grifting franchise is trying to get me to momentarily forget about all the dirt they’ve done and will do by signing a bargain-basement veteran who won’t change the fortunes of the organization.

And it’s working! Love u Cutch welcome home king https://t.co/Ys85D17kIj

— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) January 13, 2023

Everyone in the Burgh after hearing about Cutch’s return: pic.twitter.com/86S3mdbzpN

— 𝒩𝒾𝓃𝒶 ℰ. 𝒥𝑒𝒻𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈 (@njeffries06) January 13, 2023

love this for obvious reasons but it's also a tremendous finale to the Pirates' Get Some Adults In The Room offseason strategy. they may still lose 90 games but Cutch, Rich Hill, Carlos Santana, Hedges…these are EXACTLY the kinds of veterans you want to have around a young team https://t.co/pTz8rbkRwE

— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) January 13, 2023