PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s a first for Andrew McCutchen in his 17-year MLB career, losing a manager in-season. He hasn’t processed it yet, but does have opinions about what should happen next.
It has little to do with Don Kelly taking over as the Pirates manager, rather it’s about the players doing what is necessary. McCutchen said the way he approaches it is to just do his job. Worry about what he can control and if he, and others, do that then this won’t happen again. It’s up to them to do what they are supposed to do.
“I’m still here to where I can make things happen, hopefully in a positive way,” McCutchen said Friday. “I hope the other 25 guys in this clubhouse feel the same way. Nothing is given to you and you need to go out there and prove you are good enough to be here.”
The 38-year-old Pirates great said if players don’t bear down and do their jobs then maybe someone else will take their place. Cutch said he likes Kelly and thinks he’ll do his part. They can’t lean on him to help them. They need to pick it up.
“He’s going to do his job,” McCutchen said. “At the end of the day, he’s not on the field playing the game. The team that is out there has to do the job. The team on the field is the one that ultimately wins.”