After re-signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, fan-favorite veteran Andrew McCutchen has high hopes for the team heading into 2025.
The Pirates finished last season 76-86 for the second season in a row, yet for most of the season, were in the playoff race fighting for a Wild-Card spot. McCutchen played a major role for the Pirates primarily as a designated hitter, slashing .232/.328/.411 with 20 home runs and 50 RBIs. He will be heading into year 17 of his career and still wants to win one title that’s eluded him.
In an interview with MLB.com’s Jim Lachimia, Pirates fan-favorite McCutchen stated how he’s ready to give everything he has to win a championship.
“Heading into my 17th Major League season now, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got no matter what,” McCutchen said. “I’m going to play every game like it’s my last. That’s the little prayer I say before every game. Winning a championship is still my ultimate goal. That’s what I want more than anything out on that field.”
“I think we’re really close. The reason I say that is because we’ve played the good teams really well over the past couple of years. We do a really good job against those teams. And when we do that, it lets me know that we’re capable of winning more. We just have to be more consistent. Execute when we need to execute. Make the big pitch when we need to make the big pitch. Make the plays when we need to make the plays.”
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McCutchen believes that the Pirates are capable of helping him achieve his goal. The 38-year-old has spent the best years of his career in Pittsburgh, being named a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, MVP, Gold Glove award winner and winning the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.
He is one of the most celebrated Pirates players in history. What better way is there to honor his career than him leading the Pirates to a World Series win.
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