Pirates' Andrew McCutchen makes feelings clear on surpassing Roberto Clemente in all-time home run list
Just a few days after the 20th anniversary of getting selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2005 MLB Draft, Andrew McCutchen climbed up the team's all-time leaderboard to achieve the third most home runs. He surpassed Baseball Hall of Famer and legend of Pittsburgh sports Roberto Clemente with a dinger in the 5-2 win against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday.
Andrew McCutchen had tied Clemente with 240 home runs on June 1 in a 6-4 loss against the San Diego Padres on the road. In the fifth innings on Wednesday, "Cutch' swung Cal Quantrill's pitch towards left-center for his first home run at home this season, which couldn't have come at a better time.
McCutchen made his feelings known after the game, focusing on the team win instead of his personal accomplishment.
“I’m more excited about the win than (the home run), because I could've done it and lost and I would've been like, ‘Alright, cool,’” McCutchen said. “To get the win and do it, you know, definitely helps appreciate it a little more.”
It was McCutchen's 325th career home run, having also had stints with the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers. He rejoined the Pirates after a five season hiatus in 2023 and has been a key figure in developing young talent for the club in rebuild currently.
Pirates interim manager Don Kelly makes his feelings known about Andrew McCutchen
Andrew McCutchen and Pirates interim manager Don Kelly had taken the field together in the minor leagues in the 2000s. For a hometown fanboy himself, Kelly felt the weight of the moment and acknowledged McCutchen's endurance at the top level.
“It’s fascinating,” Kelly said. “It’s longevity, it's consistency, it's just the way that he's gone about it. He wasn't here for a few years, too. Where would he be if he was here the whole time? He’s just had a heck of a career," Kelly said.
The career .273 hitter was also lucky enough to get the ball back from Pirates super fan Jim Kolesar. The ball will have a distinct mark on it, as it hit one of the metal bleachers, which will further enhance the significance of the moment.