The Man They Call "Cutch"

Andre McCutchen's play has bought excitement and hope back to the Steel City

At the end of every original Lone Ranger episode from the 40s and 50s, they have a person not know who their masked savior was, only to have someone say, "Why that's The Lone Ranger!", with Clayton Moore saying "High Ho Silver".  Now, Andrew McCutchen isn't The Lone Ranger, but he is one of the reasons why the Pittsburgh Pirates are relevant again to baseball, which is great for the sport because they're a proud franchise that has struggled for 20 years.  Years ago, people didn't know who he was because he didn't play for Boston, New York, or Los Angeles, but because of the season he's having, no one will ever not know who he is.  Why, he's Andrew McCutchen, or as many people call him, "Cutch".

Andrew McCutchen is a five-tool baseball player, which for those of you who don't know, means he can hit for average, hit for power, run, throw, and field.  There are very few players like that, which makes McCutchen special already, but along with that he carries himself well on and off the field.  Athletes like Johnny "Football" Manziel and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. are praised by so many people, but they don't carry themselves the way McCutchen does.  He's a quiet, humble person, and leads his team by example and his play.  Along with that, he remembers where he came from, and chose to stay with the original team that drafted him (a rarity in any sport, let alone baseball).  Sports analysts think he'll never be a star in Pittsburgh, but he already is!

It's tough for me to pick my favorite baseball player because I have so many from "King" Felix Hernandez, Dustin Pedroia, to Clayton Kershaw, but Andrew McCutchen is something different.  And he's been that way ever since he got drafted.  With that in mind, I thought I'd show you all an ESPN clip that ran a few days ago, talking about McCutchen's family and life as a Pittsburgh Pirate, which was inspiring to see.  I love Andrew McCutchen, but if you don't, you will after watching this video.  Enjoy!