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Andrew McCutchen keeps climbing the charts in Pittsburgh. He still can't shake what might have been

Published

2 years ago

September 11, 2024

Andrew McCutchen keeps climbing the charts in Pittsburgh. He still can't shake what might have been

PITTSBURGH — The pain still lingers for Andrew McCutchen, even now in the final stages of a comeback season few saw coming.

So while the 37-year-old designated hitter appreciates the milestones he keeps checking off — like reaching 20 home runs in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform for the eighth time during Tuesday night’s 6-4 win over Miami — the thoughts still linger about what might have been.

The truth is, he never wanted to leave. He became a victim of baseball economics in January 2018 when the Pirates traded their franchsie cornerstone to San Francisco, starting McCutchen on a five-year odyssey in which he bounced from the Giants to the New York Yankees to Philadelphia to Milwaukee.

Nice places, all. Good teammates. Some good times. But not Pittsburgh. Not his adopted home.

And so while McCutchen understands he is reaching rarified air on a team that’s been in the National League since 1887 — only Hall of Famer Willie Stargell has more 20 homer seasons with the Pirates than McCutchen — he can’t help but think about how much higher he’d be on some of the club’s all-time lists if not for that nomadic half-decade when he felt at times like a mercenary.

“It’s nice to be able to be with those guys and those greats, it’s amazing,” McCutchen said. “But it would be cool if I was here my whole career and then see where I would be at.”

Only, that didn’t happen. And as much as he has leaned into the warm embrace that accompanied his somewhat surprising return in early 2023, there’s a small part of him that is frustrated he had to leave in the first place.

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen watches his three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Pittsburgh. Credit: AP/Matt Freed

“Every time I hear (where I rank), I’m like ‘Dang man, if only,’” McCutchen said. “I just go ‘cool’ and then I just move on.”

He admits legs that carried him to five All-Star appearances, the 2013 NL MVP and a Gold Glove don’t move quite like they used to. A partially torn left Achilles last September forced him to spend a portion of the offseason in a protective boot. Spring training was a slog. He felt like he was playing catchup, admitting “I just wasn’t there” and only too aware of doubters.

That made the 403-foot shot to the left-field seats off Miami’s Adam Oller with two on in the fifth — the 319th homer of McCutchen’s 16-year career — all the sweeter.

“Would a lot of people think I’d have (reached 20 homers)? Probably not,” he said. “It’s why I don’t look at them … because I know I can do it.”

Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen hits a three-run home run during... — Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen hits a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Pittsburgh. Credit: AP/Matt Freed

McCutchen has morphed from dreadlocked, swagged-out blur to elder statesman. The gap between his age and 22-year-old Pirates rookie ace Paul Skenes is just one year less than the gap between Skenes and McCutchen’s 6-year-old son Steel.

Yet with all those years comes wisdom. Asked if he thinks he’s a sharper hitter now than he when he led the Pirates to three straight playoff appearances from 2013-15, he laughs and points out he’s become a cliche of sorts. The whole “if I knew then what I know now” thing.

Then, growing a little more serious, he sounded very much like a player who believes there is still plenty left to do in the game before walking away.

“I’ve definitely gotten better over the past five, six, seven, eight – I don’t know how many years it’s been – but I’ve gotten better,” he said. “And I’ve gotten myself back to where I feel like I can be.”

And while his batting average (.241) isn’t what it was a decade ago — the wear and tear on his body that comes from 2,116 games has seen to that — his eye remains elite.

What impressed Pirates manager Derek Shelton as much as McCutchen’s power surge — his 20 homers this season are the most he’s hit since 2021 — was the full-count curveball he let go by for ball four in his next at bat.

“Nobody takes that pitch,” Shelton said.

McCutchen still does. The walk was the team-high 53rd this season, his approach in the batter’s box an example of what being a professional hitter means to a team whose lackluster offense led to a second-half swoon that dropped them out of postseason contention.

The optimism that accompanied Skenes’ arrival in mid-May has turned into the reality that the young Pirates core isn’t quite ready. McCutchen, whose charisma and talent authored the last Pittsburgh baseball renaissance a decade ago, believes another one is on the way. And he very much wants to be a part of it.

While he will technically can become a free agent after the season and he wants to play “if I don’t embarrass myself,” the Florida native wants very much to do it in the place he never wants to leave again.

“I haven’t been in the playoffs in a while here and it would be nice to do it here,” McCutchen said. “We’re a special group of guys. We’re a special team. It’s there.”

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Pittsburg, PA

Steelers’ Will Howard Gets Shout Out From Top NFL Draft WR

Published

5 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Steelers’ Will Howard Gets Shout Out From Top NFL Draft WR

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely one of the teams that will be heavily considering a wide receiver when it comes to their very valuable first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

One of the top options, and considered by many analysts to be the best overall, is Ohio State Buckeye alum Carnell Tate. Tate is a three-year starter at Ohio State, and the top wide receiver selection is likely to be between him and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.

While at Ohio State, Tate was a teammate of current Steelers backup quarterback Will Howard, and was asked about him during his workout at Ohio State’s Pro Day.

“Oh, Will isn’t giving me no tips. He’s probably going to root for me to come with him to Pittsburgh,” Tate said.

“I’m happy for him. I wish him nothing but the best. Love that guy to death,” Tate also said.

Howard would not be the first person to try to get their former teammate to join them from college to their professional team, with one big example being Derek Carr and Davante Adams a couple years prior.

If Tate were to join the Steelers, he would be the third member of the 2024 Ohio State National Championship-winning team to play for the Steelers simultaneously, with Howard and surging young linebacker Jack Sawyer having played on the Steelers in 2025.

Will Tate Go To Pittsburgh?

Tate is quite unlikely to end up with the Steelers, as he is expected to be among the first players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. With the Steelers having the No. 21 selection, they would need to make a significant trade forward to likely jump into the zone where Tate would be available.

“I think I’m a great football player,” Tate said about going into the NFL. “My speed … the combine is one time, but ultimately I’m a great football player. When you put the pads on, it’s another level.”

Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) throws the ball to wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) during the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images | Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

They could probably do that, due to the fact that they have 12 selections across the seven rounds. At this point in time, it does not see they love any particular player enough to make that big of a trade up, but trades into the late end of the top ten are quite common. Yet, their move to land Michael Pittman Jr. would make it significantly less likely that they make such a move to get another wide receiver.

While at Ohio State, Tate was always in the top half of their wide receiver room, yet played among some of the most talented wide receivers in recent history in current NFL player Emeka Egbuka and young talent Jeremiah Smith. He finished his final collegiate season with All-Big Ten honors, as well as well as being a second team All-American.

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Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

Published

17 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

Spring football may not carry the same weight as the NFL, but it still offers an opportunity for everyone involved. Fans can satisfy the urge to watch the game they love, while players in the United Football League work to earn another shot at the NFL. No one should expect top-tier play from these teams, but the UFL can still deliver compelling storylines.

Several recognizable names will take the field this spring, including personnel with ties to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One reason or another, things didn’t work out between the Steelers and these members of the UFL, and that’s why they are attempting a comeback. Pittsburgh either cut them or let them go, and few have heard much from these former members of the Steelers since. The United Football League will see them be thrust back into the spotlight in hopes of landing a shot in an NFL training camp.

Fans will witness several Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers making a comeback in the UFL

Benny Snell Jr., RB, Louisville Kings

The name Benny Snell Jr. has disappeared from football conversations in Pittsburgh since he left the team in 2022. A fourth‑round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Snell never fully found his footing with the Steelers. He was known as a tough, physical runner who could contribute on special teams, but his role in the NFL rarely extended beyond that.

Snell struggled to make a lasting impact in Pittsburgh, and the UFL now offers him a chance to rebuild his reputation and revive his professional prospects.

Todd Haley, OC, Columbus Aviators

It has been nearly a decade since Todd Haley left the Steelers after his stint as offensive coordinator. His last NFL role came in 2018 with the Browns, and since then, his coaching career has taken a winding path that has included high school football and spring league opportunities. Haley’s role with the Aviators could provide him with a chance to re-enter the NFL coaching conversation.

Anthony McFarland Jr., RB, Birmingham Stallions

Many had high expectations for Anthony McFarland Jr. when the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His speed stood out immediately, but he struggled to develop into a complete running back. McFarland now enters his second season in the UFL after a solid stretch of production in 2025. He will need to take the next step and show more consistency this spring.

Tre Norwood, S, Birmingham Stallions

Another United Football League veteran with ties to Pittsburgh is Tre Norwood.

A seventh-round pick by the Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Norwood used his positional flexibility to carve out a role early in his career. He now enters his second season with the Stallions after posting modest production last year. If the versatile defensive back hopes to earn another opportunity in the NFL, he will need to make a stronger impact in 2026, particularly by creating turnovers.

Roc Taylor, WR, Columbus Aviators

Fans were hopeful for Roc Taylor after he signed with the Steelers last year as an undrafted free agent. The wide receiver group on the roster lacked depth at the time, but Taylor was unable to make it through training camp. Despite that setback, his talent remains evident, and the UFL may represent his best path forward. Taylor has a valuable opportunity in front of him to take advantage of.

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Pittsburg, PA

Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.

MMA Fighting has PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle fight card and more from UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

In the main event, former Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen tries to earn another title shot with a win over Bryan Battle, who makes his PFL debut. Eblen (16-1) suffered his first career loss against Costello van Steenis in a PFL title bout in his most recent outing.

Dalton Rosta and Impa Kasanganay clash in a middleweight contest in the co-main event.

Check out PFL Pittsburgh results below.

Main Card (ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET)

Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle

Dalton Rosta vs. Impa Kasanganay

Ariane Lipski da Silva vs. Sumiko Inaba

Alexei Pergande vs. Julio Arce

Lazaro Dayron vs. Jacob Thrall

Prelims (ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET)

Allan Begosso vs. Jack Cartwright

Natan Schulte vs. Jakub Kaszuba

Robert Watley vs. Dakota Bush