Nine days ago, after a huge, series-opening, come-from-behind win over the St. Louis Cardinals, Pirates’ fans weren’t wondering if Andrew McCutchen’s 2000th hit would come in the midst of their nine game, 10-day homestand, it was more a wonder of when during the homestand it would happen.
McCutchen had just gone 2-for-4 the night before and was sitting on 1,997 hits. Surely, we all thought, three hits would happen by the end of the week, if not the end of the weekend. Then came 34 plate appearances with only two hits. But 10 walks. Despite nipping at the heels of history, McCutchen remained patient at the plate.
Then came yesterday afternoon, and just as importantly as an opportunity to win a series against the New York Mets came an opportunity for McCutchen to lead off another game while sitting at 1,999 hits.
McCutchen’s 2000th Major League hit coming as a Pirate in Pittsburgh, at PNC Park, is just one of the many reasons he wanted to come back this winter.
Not just to help a young team find its way – remember Cutch is the guy who told you to believe in this team way back in January when he said “this is a club that can do it.”
Not just to be a figurehead or nostalgia act here to collect 52 more hits or one more triple or eight more doubles or 13 more home runs.
But to do all of that, while dragging this team – his hometown team now, no less – back toward contention while his young family witnessed it firsthand.
McCutchen hitting these benchmarks is one thing. However, watching him do it while serving as one of their most productive players at the plate – leading the team in walks (38) and on base percentage (.381), third in hits (52), fourth in OPS (.804) – has been another thing altogether.
Next on the list? Cutch’s 50th triple, 400th double, and 300th home run.
Next Nine Nearly Necessary?
After taking six out of ten on their most recent homestand, the Pirates sit in first place in the National League Central, a game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers. A trip to Milwaukee awaits this weekend, sandwiched by a pair of three game series against the Chicago Cubs.
The Pirates are assured of getting a Mitch Keller start this coming weekend against the Brewers, but other than that and a pair of Rich Hill starts against the Cubs – presumably one at Wrigley and one back at PNC Park – it’s hard to get a read on what the rotation will look like as Roansy Contreras heads to the bullpen and Luis Ortiz and Johan Oviedo hold down the other two spots.
On his radio show yesterday, General Manager Ben Cherington admitted a reinforcement to the starting rotation would be necessary. For fans, the speculation as to who it could be and who it should be continues to swirl around the excitement of a possible promotion for 2019 First Round pick Quinn Priester.
Related
Priester leads the Pirates’ AAA Indianapolis Indians with 57 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings over 12 starts and given up just four combined earned runs in his two June starts.
Devaluing the Running Back
Another step in the continued devaluation of productive NFL running backs continued on Friday as the Minnesota Vikings released four-time 1,000-yard rusher Dalvin Cook.
Immediately, possible future destinations for the four-time Pro Bowler were being debated.
Including, of course, Pittsburgh.
Hot on the heels of that news this weekend came a less-than-enthusiastic response from New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley regarding his optimism for getting a long-term deal done with the G-men. Barkley has even alluded to the possibility to not signing the franchise tag that’s been used on him and holding out of training camp if a long term agreement isn’t reached by July 17.
When you consider the Raiders will reportedly be using their franchise tag on the league’s leading rusher Josh Jacobs, leaving half of the league’s top six rushers in 2022 without multiyear deals, it brings another question to mind: Is there a running back in the league that’s worthy of a second contract?
If your answer is “No,” then insisting the Steelers offer Najee Harris a contract extension isn’t exactly a priority.
What about picking up his fifth year option though?
Again, given the devaluation of running backs around the league, can any team afford to lock in a 3.9 yard per carry running back for an extended period of time?
We’ll find out what the Steelers think about that next spring.
Conor McGregor Brings the Heat
The Denver Nuggets are on the verge of delivering a knockout blow to the Miami Heat in Game Five of the NBA Finals tonight, as they lead the series 3-1, but MMA star Conor McGregor decided to try to KO the Heat mascot, “Burnie.”
The person who plays “Burnie” was sent to the emergency room, received pain medication, and was sent home.
Which is more than we can say for McGregor the last time he actually fought.