Andrew McCutchen’s number choice with Rangers officially closes door on Pirates

It will be a while before Pirates fans see Andrew McCutchen donning the iconic No. 22, perhaps until the franchise inevitably places it between Roberto Clemente’s No. 21 and Honus Wagner’s No. 33.

Even when the Pirates visit the Rangers in April, McCutchen won’t be wearing the number. Instead, the ever-gracious former MVP relinquished his favored number out of deference and love.

The Rangers already had a No. 22 on their roster. Prior to spring training, Jack Leiter requested to change his number to honor his father Al Leiter, who wore No. 22 during his seven-year tenure with the Mets. Jon Gray, who became a free agent this winter, had sported the number since 2022, but this departure created the opportunity for Leiter to pay homage to his dad. McCutchen, a devoted family man, would presumably never imagine interfering.

Andrew McCutchen’s new number completely severs the tie with his Pittsburgh past

McCutchen could have simply reverted to one of his other “second choice” numbers. He wore No. 26 in his short stint with the Yankees because Jacoby Ellsbury wore No. 22. With the Brewers, he wore No. 24 (which had been his first choice when he joined the Pirates due to his admiration for Ken Griffey Jr., but Tom Gorzelanny had that number).

Instead, McCutchen reportedly leaned on his own family for inspiration for his new number. He took No. 4 because it is his wife Maria’s favorite number. A simple gesture of love to his family and respect to the Leiters. As always, McCutchen is a class act.

The “it’s all love” feeling between McCutchen and his new Texas teammates leaves a particularly bitter taste in Pirates fans’ mouths. The Pirates have evoked the language of family and loyalty in their homages to the franchise icon, but unlike McCutchen’s touching gesture, the posts feel hollow and tone deaf.

Once again, McCutchen is demonstrating what it means to honor and respect players. He knows the history of the game, as evidenced by his consideration for the Leiters. He knows what is important to him, as demonstrated by his selection of his wife’s favorite number. He knows who he is, and now the Pirates are reminded of the kind of player and the kind of person that they lost.