It's tough to quantify how much Andrew McCutchen meant to Pittsburgh, but that hasn't stopped hundreds of Pirates fans from trying anyway.
McCutchen, who was traded to the San Francisco Giants on Monday, became one of the most popular athletes in Pittsburgh during his nine seasons with the Pirates. The five-time All-Star and 2013 National League MVP led the team to three-consecutive wild-card game appearances from 2013-15, snapping a 21-year postseason drought.
Fans, of course, took to Twitter after news of the trade broke. Many thanked McCutchen for his time in Pittsburgh, and some expressed happiness that their favorite player will now join a team that intends to compete.
I don’t think you can overstate the impact @TheCUTCH22 had on Pittsburgh sports. He brought baseball back to the Steel City. I know it’s a business and Pittsburgh is a small market, but this one hurts. https://t.co/SlC6Z6O55o
— Mark Salfia (@MarkSalfia24) January 15, 2018
Live footage of Cutch heading to the airport. pic.twitter.com/uUITVtG0jC
— iAMSAUL (@SAUUL11) January 15, 2018
What time is it, @TheCUTCH22? Time for you to spread your wings and play for a team that actually wants to win more than 80 games this summer!
— Luke B. available to play for the Pirates. Call me (@pens_andthe_pen) January 15, 2018
Godspeed and good luck, my man. Pittsburgh will miss you and the #Coletrain. pic.twitter.com/LrHCpGaSHj
Thank you, @TheCUTCH22, so much, for everything. I’ll always remember being at PNC Park for the 2013 wildcard game. It was the happiest I’ve ever seen my dad. I have you to thank for making that memory possible.
— (((Joshua Axelrod))) (@jaxel222) January 15, 2018
Happy trails, and keep crushing it in San Francisco!!
@TheCUTCH22 I’m legitamitely sad. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to represent our city and how the organization let you down is unforgivable. I will always be an Andrew McCutchen fan and can’t thank you enough for bringing meaningful baseball back to Pittsburgh. Good luck
— EAP (@digalish) January 15, 2018
It's a sad sad day to be from Pittsburgh. @TheCUTCH22 thank you for making baseball so fun to watch in the City of Pittsburgh. Will be truly missed. Easily one of my all time favorites. #ThankYouCutch
— Jake Thomas (@jmthomas87) January 15, 2018
As much as it hurts my heart to not have @TheCUTCH22 on our team I won't be mad bc he deserves better.
— Leah 🐧 (@rebes08) January 15, 2018
Andrew McCutchen was one of the most important athletes in Pittsburgh history. He made me realize that Pirate baseball could be fun, and that winning baseball was possible at PNC Park. I know I’m not alone there. Hate to see him go, but he deserved better than this team. #Cutch
— Von Barclay (@WVBarclay) January 15, 2018
Thank you @TheCUTCH22 for all the memories that I will never forget. You are an amazing player on and off the field. Go win a ship in San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/icOaV6D3pQ
— J-DUB (@J_DUB724) January 15, 2018
Many fans lambasted the Pirates organization, and team owner Bob Nutting, for making the trade, being cheap, etc.
Bob Nutting — show yourself. Explain yourself. We trusted you. We showed up.
— #ThankYouCutch (@Lokay) January 15, 2018
You? You failed — @Pirates fans, your players, and the people of Pittsburgh. Everyone.
Sell the team. Please. Take the money, dump it into @7SpringsPA, and give us something to believe in once again.
rt if bob nutting is the worst owner in all of sports https://t.co/2yT9OMTE8r
— bo (@Bo_knows_Lanham) January 15, 2018
It’s safe to say that I can’t be more upset with the @Pirates right now. Thank you so much for everything you did for Pittsburgh and the fan base @TheCUTCH22. We love you and we’ll miss you. You belong in pirate colors and nothing else.
— Baby Lindor (@BRADLEYBUCKETS2) January 15, 2018
I realize it’s all business in the end, but how can the @Pirates justify trading the heart and soul of not only the team, but the city of Pittsburgh. You deserve better @TheCUTCH22 enjoy the west coast man 🙏🏻 #Legend
— Brendan S (@sharerbear9) January 15, 2018
Existence is pain. Thanks for bringing meaningful baseball back to the burgh @TheCUTCH22. You meant more to this city than you'll ever know. Sorry our ownership is trash. Best of luck my man
— Tip Lee (@mistertiplee) January 15, 2018
People of Pittsburgh: WHY WOULD YOU TRADE ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN PIRATES HISTORY. I AM DONE WITH THIS TEAM!!!!
— Alex Kidwell (@KidwellAlex) January 15, 2018
Bob Nutting: pic.twitter.com/JbRMeRMLCN
And at least two of McCutchen’s former teammates seem puzzled by the move.
🤦🏾♂️
— Felipe Rivero (@Rivero43) January 15, 2018
— Felipe Rivero (@Rivero43) January 15, 2018
🤔?
— Francisco Cervelli (@fran_cervelli) January 15, 2018
@TheCUTCH22 Good Luck in the Bay Cutch! If there’s one thing I can guarantee, it’s that you’re going to LOVE it out there! Take care of him @SFGiants Fans! #Gamer
— George Kontos (@G_Kontos) January 15, 2018
There isn’t a better player I have ever played with than @TheCUTCH22 not only a superstar player, but a unbelievable down to earth human being, better person than player! #CutchHappens #JustCutchIt #Cutch22 #Cutch
— Jordy Mercer (@jordy_mercer) January 15, 2018
First Published: January 15, 2018, 10:24 p.m.
