Andrew McCutchen, Thank You For Everything!

Editorial: Andrew McCutchen may be gone from Pittsburgh, but he will never be forgotten. For that, we say thank you, Cutch!

Goodbye… and thank you, Andrew McCutchen. Your status as a legend in Pittsburgh is etched in steel. You’re a true hero in every sense of the word; one of the all-time greatest to wear a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. You wore it proudly with grace and dignity. We were proud to watch you wear it.

You represented everything that is good in a city that lives, breathes and dies with its sports teams. You’ve provided us a lifetime of magnificent memories. Your love for Pittsburgh is only surpassed by our love for you.

The tears we shed are perhaps selfish. We wanted to hold on to you forever. And now you’re gone… much to the disbelief of many who always thought you might retire a Pirate. (Ownership and management, however,  hold years of control more valuable than generational talent or dedication that someone like you presents.)

You restored hope to a suffering fan base and helped lead your team back into contention. You were at the center of the team ending their streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons and the driving force behind three consecutive postseason appearances from 2013 – 2015. For the first time in two decades, Pirates fans were able to experience what it was like to be a winner again. And you were our captain.

You’re going to a team that values contending. You’ll be surrounded by players who are cherished by an ownership that wants to win. We wish you nothing but the best.

In Pittsburgh, the fire is dying. The passion is waning.

On this day, we are once again losers. The Pirates have lost their treasure. Their fans- young and old- have lost their idol. And Bob Nutting, Neal Huntington, and Frank Coonelly have lost their minds. The return for trading you is abysmal. And they’re paying part of your salary too? Oh, my!

To be calling this a rebuild is beyond generous. It’s more like a de-build. Another salary dump.

We know you understand and even accept what transpired today, perhaps better than most of us. It doesn’t make it any easier for those of us who appreciated what you brought to this city and achieved with this team.

Next: Pirates extend Felipe Rivero

Please know that we’ll be watching you from afar and rooting for continued success. You might be a Giant as of today. But you were always a ‘giant’ in the city of Pittsburgh.

Thank you, Cutch!