Our Guy
I didn't know how to feel when the Pirates traded away Nate McLouth mid-summer 2009. He was a homegrown Pittsburgh talent and he was coming off an All-Star appearance too. The Pirates were reportedly making room in the outfield for a speedy, dude with dreads named Andrew McCutchen. Even amidst all the talk and reports of this sensational talent coming up the minor league ranks, I wondered at the time, "who is this 23 year old kid, that has the GAUL to demand an occupied position, forcing the Pirates to trade away their lone star??" I was pissed at the Pirates. No matter the fact they traded McLouth to our local team in South Carolina in the Braves. It was the closest I've ever come to abandoning the team for which I'd always rooted. But then something amazing happened. The Pirates promoted and centered the direction of their franchise around this Andrew McCutchen fella. And he was good. Scratch that, he was great!! They didn't have a new centerfielder. ...