McCutchen not done making history after reaching 20 home runs

PITTSBURGH -- Andrew McCutchen got a hold of Adam Oller’s first-pitch fastball and sent it into PNC Park’s bleachers in the fifth inning Tuesday. If you wanted to check where most of his 319 career home runs landed, especially the 235 he’s hit while wearing a Pirates uniform, that area of the park would certainly be one of his hot spots. A vintage swing from the 37-year-old franchise icon.

On the team level, that three-run home run was the difference maker in the Pirates’ 6-4 win over the Marlins. On an individual level, it was home run No. 20 of the season, and while McCutchen has been on the record many a time saying he’s not a fan of those big round numbers when it comes to stats, this one was all right.

“Just looking back on how my past couple years have gone and how my season really started this year, I feel good about being able to hit 20 homers,” McCutchen said. “Would a lot of people think I’d have done it? Probably not. It’s why I don’t look at them for [predictions] ... because I know I can do it. To be in this position and to hit that mark, yeah, it makes me smile tonight.”

There’s a lot to smile about after battling through plenty of challenges the last 12 months. A partial tear in his Achilles ended his 2023 season early, putting him in a position where he felt he had to play catchup for most of his offseason in preparation for the campaign. For an extended period this year, he had some of the worst batted ball luck in the Majors. He’s been slowed by a knee injury in the second half of this season that required a trip to the injured list.

And through all of that, he’s produced arguably his best offensive campaign in years, slashing .241/.338/.432 with a 114 wRC+.

That 20th home run comes with a bit of history, too. The only other Pirate to hit 20 home runs in their age 37 season or older was Willie Stargell, who did so in 1978 and 1979. It was also McCutchen's eighth season as a Pirate where he hit at least 20 home runs, passing Ralph Kiner for the second-most seasons with at least that many homers in franchise history, behind Stargell and his 15 seasons.

McCutchen said that a 21st home run this year would be cool “for obvious reasons,” a tribute to Roberto Clemente, and his name certainly belongs in the conversation of the franchise’s all-time greats.

"I think you're talking about the best player in the history of the franchise over the last 30 years,” manager Derek Shelton said. “And you look up at the board some nights, and I don't know what the stat was tonight, but he's something away from being 10th all time with Arky Vaughan. I think it just speaks to how talented a player he is and has been throughout his career."

When it comes to comparing himself to the franchise’s other greats, there is one sore spot for McCutchen, though.

"It's cool, but there's still a sour taste in my mouth with that because I wasn't here my whole career,” McCutchen said. “It's nice to be able to be with those guys and those greats, it's amazing, but it would be cool if I was here my whole career and then see where I would be at. That won't change things right? It is what it is. It's nice but every time I hear it, I'm like, 'Dang man, if only.' I just go 'cool' and then I just move on."

At least he can tack more years onto the back end. Back at Pirate City in Spring Training, McCutchen shared that he didn’t view 2024 as his last season. There was still gas in the tank. Even after battling injuries in the second half of this season, he still wants to return in 2025.

So what drives him to return after 16 years in the Majors?

"Because I can do it,” McCutchen answered. “It's plain and simple. I said this earlier. If I don't embarrass myself, then I'm going to continue, keep going and doing it and if I get the opportunity, I'm going to. At the end of the day, that's me personally, but I would love to win too. I haven't done that in a long time and I haven't been in the playoffs in a while here. It would be nice to do it here, and we're a special group of guys. We're a special team. It's there. Just got to piece the puzzle."