22 for 22: Ranking Andrew McCutchen's 22 greatest moments as a Pirate

By Joe Smeltzer

Photo creds to Si.Com

In case you've been living under a rock over the past week, the greatest Pirate of the decade is no longer amongst the Black and Gold. Rather than go on another rant, I think it's better to reflect on the things that Andrew Stefan McCutchen accomplished as Pittsburgh Pirate. To honor number 22, here are 22 of Cutch's greatest accomplishments in the Steel City.


#22: All-Star Bomb
July 14, 2015

Although it didn't help the Pirates in any way, McCutchen's blast in the 2015 All-Star game in Cincinnati was still neat and thus, a solid way to lead into some much more impactful moments on this list.
#21: You had to be there
Sept. 18, 2013

It's hard to describe this for those who didn't witness.

McCutchen's two-run jack off Tyson Ross to give the Bucs a 2-1 lead over the Padres didn't get the Pirates to the playoffs and didn't even win them that game. But the feeling of a September crowd in Pittsburgh going bonkers at a place that wasn't Heinz Field was something I'll never forget. And Cutch getting pumped up as a curtain call? Well, that was just awesome.
#20: First Grand Slam
Sept. 26, 2017

The reason this is so low is because of how depressing last season was. Nonetheless, McCutchen hitting his only career granny in what ended up being his second to last home game as a Pirate was epic.
#19: Three home run game vs. Padres
July 31, 2017

Here's another moment that happened towards the end of Cutch's run in Pittsburgh. Arguably the climax of his last season in the Steel City, Cutch stole the show at Petco Park and made Pirates fans believe that just maybe a playoff run was in the cards. Things didn't turn out that way, but July 31, 2017, was one of the best performances of McCutchen's  career.
#18: Two-week terror
Aug. 5-17, 2016
2016 was the worst season of McCutchen's MLB career to this point. But all of a sudden, for two weeks in August, something clicked.

As the Pirates fought for a wildcard spot, he was the McCutchen of old, both with his glove and bat, after getting benched for a full series in Atlanta to start the month. It's easy to forget because it never led to anything, but for a brief time, Cutch and the Pirates were on a roll.

#17: Easter Sunday walk off
April 8, 2012

From a statistical standpoint, 2012 was McCutchen's best year as a Pirate. This walk-off double against the defending NL East champs on Easter Sunday in just the third game of that season launched it, and I would argue that it was the starting point of McCutchen's transition from good player to superstar.

#16: Walk off over Reds
Sept. 29, 2012
The second half of the 2012 season didn't go nearly as well for McCutchen or the Pirates as the first half, but this walk-off bomb in one of the last home games of the year was an appropriate closing act for Cutch in the year he became a superstar. It was also a sign of things to come for the next three years.
#15: Stealing the show in D.C. 
May 17, 2012

I'm quite fond of the 2012 season. This was one of many games throughout Cutch's time with the Pirates where he was far and away the best player on the field. On this night, McCutchen hit two bombs and made one of the best defensive plays of his life to lead the Pirates to a 5-3 win. It might be harder to remember than a lot of other Cutch heroics, but anybody who watched this game knew that they saw greatness
#14: Ending the first half with a bang
July 8, 2012

Heading into the only homerun derby appearance of his career, McCutchen nailed the dress rehearsal in the last game before the All-Star break, smacking two jacks. The win put the Pirates at 48-37, by far their best mark going into an All-Star break since 1992. The first half of the 2012 season made people believe these Bucs could be for real, and pounding the eventual World Champions was a pretty sweet way to top things off.
#13: 5-5 (with a walk)
May 14, 2010

One of the highlights of the infamous 57-105 Bucs took place at Wrigley Field May 14. On this day, McCutchen and Gerrit Jones became the first pair of Pirates since Willie Stargell and Bob Robertson to have five hits each in a game, going a combined 10-11 to lead an offensive onslaught. It wasn't a turning point in McCutchen's career, but it was one of his best performances in the Black and Gold.
#12: Bigger than baseball
May 30, 2015

If my list was about Andrew McCutchen the person more than the player, this moment might be number one. The look on the faces of these kids shows what impact athletes can have away from their craft, and Cutch understood that he was capable of making people smile in ways that didn't involve making a diving catch or hitting a home run.
#11: Number 100
Sept. 4, 2013

McCutchen's 100th career bomb is on this list not so much for the significance of the milestone, but more for the timing. It came the night after the Pirates won their 81st game, breaking the dreaded 20-year losing season streak. Since McCutchen's 100 homers were a big part of the turnaround, I feel that this individual accomplishment belongs on my list.

#10: Lighting up Lidge
Aug. 25, 2009

Towards the end of Cutch's rookie season, the woeful Pirates took on the eventual NL champions Phillies. After making an error that led to the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, Cutch redeemed himself in a big way with his first walk-off homer in the bottom half. It was a remarkable win for the young Bucs, and a sign that the end was near for Phillies closer Brad Lidge
#9: First home run 
June 17, 2009

June 17, 2009
And he had 202 to follow.
#8: "It's a three-homer night for the rookie"
Aug. 1, 2009

Of all the Cutch highlights that made the 2009 season bearable, this was my favorite. I was in PNC Park when McCutchen took Craig Stammen, Tyler Clippard and Logan Kensing deep and it was probably the loudest that place ever was before 2009. Just too sweet.

#7: First walk off
June 25, 2009

Yes, it was just a single. Yes, it was in a situation where Cutch could have won the game with a fly ball. Nonetheless, McCutchen's first walk-off, just three weeks after his debut, was something to remember at a time when Pirate baseball was about as forgettable as it has ever been.
#6: Rookie of the Year (Sort of)
October 2009
Chris Coghlan was the "official" ROY in 2009. But the Baseball America Rookie of the Year was Andrew McCutchen, so that counts for something, and we all know who ended up having the better career.
#5: The *productive* debut. 
June 4, 2009

Exit Nate McLouth, enter the face of the franchise.
#4: Carrying the team
July 12, 2014

After coughing up a 4-0 lead to the Reds, it looked like the Pirates would suffer a bitter defeat in the last series before the 2014 All-Star break. But Cutch was having none of it.

Instead, leading off the top of the ninth, he blasted a homer off of legendary Pirates whipping boy Jonathan Broxton to tie the game. Two innings later, he hit one over the left field wall to give the Bucs the lead, which they would keep. This is another example of how Cutch knew how to put the boys on his shoulders when they needed it.

#3: We're back 
Oct. 1, 2013

Although McCutchen didn't have a signature moment in the most memorable night in PNC Park history, he played a role, going 2-3 with a run scored. This night would not have been possible without number 22, so even though it wasn't necessarily one of Cutch's best individual performances, it was one of the most important nights of his life.
#2: MVP
Oct. 2013

No explanation needed.

#1: "Oh My God"
July 11, 2015

Cutch never had a signature postseason moment in a Pirate uniform, but this is the closest he ever got. As far as moments go, there were none better than this. Watch, relieve, and enjoy.

Thank you, Cutch.

Great baseball is great baseball, regardless of time.

By: Joe Smeltzer

Photo creds to SB Nation

If you're a baseball fan, you've probably grown tired of either complaining about the pace of play, or tired of listening to others complain about the pace of play.

Once upon a time, baseball was fast moving. There weren't a lot of commercials there weren't a lot of pitching changes, and hitters didn't take a break every five minutes to adjust their stance, swing, or physical appearance. The players played, and the games moved quick. One of the greatest games in sports history, game seven of the 1960 World Series, known for Bill Mazeroski's walk-off home run, is also a perfect example of how different things were back in the good old days.

Every baseball fan is at least somewhat knowledgeable about the Pirates upset win over the mighty Yankees. But an amazing thing to consider about that game seven is that despite it being a high scoring affair, despite it being on national television and despite several mound visits from New York manager Casey Stengel the time of the game was two hours and 36 minutes. Today, if a nine-inning game in the middle of June ends in less than three hours, that's considered solid time.

I believe that every baseball fan sees slow moving games as an issue. The younger generation see a long game as a reason that baseball is dull, while older fans complain about how much faster things moved back in the day. Even for those who defend MLB and say that the pace isn't an issue, I have a hard time believing that they have never once complained about a game that dragged. As I watched Derek Fisher slide into home plate for the winning run Sunday night, I thought to myself; if a baseball game is compelling, does it matter how long it is?

A long time ago, I asked my dad what the longest movie he had ever seen was. I don't remember what his answer was specifically, but when I asked him why he sat through the whole thing, his answer was simple; "Because it was a good movie." The reason I refused to go to bed until after somebody took a 3-2 series lead was that I knew that what I was watching was a classic. I didn't care if the game lasted two, five or eight hours. There aren't a lot of things in this world that are better than an exciting baseball game.

It must be said, however, that I'm not a casual fan. I'm a hardcore baseball lifer that will love the game no matter what, so people like me aren't as bothered by the pace as casual fans are. But I think that the complaints that fans, whether hardcore or casual, are too broad at times, and the issue should be looked at on a case-by-case basis. Sunday night was a perfect example of how a long game can work.

When you look Sunday's game as five hours and 17 minutes of baseball, it seems like proof that the game is too damn slow. If you see it as five hours and 17 minutes of an exciting, back and forth, breathtaking real-life drama that will go down as one of the best games ever, it's proof that there is hope for baseball to thrive regardless of length.

I don't necessarily have a side on the issue of pace of play in baseball. I find baseball exciting just like every other fan, and I see a game that drags as a hassle just like everybody else does. I think Sunday's game would have been great if it went for twice as long as it did. Would Alex Bregman have gotten that winning hit about an hour earlier 40 years ago? Perhaps. But regardless of pace, Sunday's game was awesome and proves that the old game still has its magic.

2017 World Series: Game-by-game preview/predictions

By Joe Smeltzer

Photo creds to IslandCasino

Hello, all. The World Series starts tonight. To break down this years matchup, I have decided to analyze this Dodgers-Astros affair by looking at the probable starting pitching matchups for each game. Let's get started.


Game One: Clayton Kershaw vs. Dallas Kuchel

Photo creds to ESPN.Com

There isn't a pitcher on the planet that I would pick to outduel Kershaw. He's the best in the world, a first ballot Hall of Famer, and pitching on baseball's biggest stage for the first time. Kuchel is a worthy opponent, and this will be an exciting baseball game. But number 22 has deserved this for a while, and he will make the most of it.

Dodgers 3, Astros 1

Game Two: Rich Hill vs. Justin Verlander 

Photo creds to Hollywood Take

On the surface, this seems like somewhat of a mismatch. Verlander is a superstar, while Hill is a crafty veteran. As solid as Hill has been the past few years, he is not at the level of guys like Kershaw and Verlander. I expect Houston to tag Hill early, and that will give Verlander plenty of room to do his thing.

Astros 5, Dodgers 1

Game Three: Yu Darvish vs. TBA

Photo creds to Star-Telegram

It has yet to be determined whether Houston will throw Charlie Morton or Lance McCullers Jr. when the series shifts to the Lone Star State for game three. Regardless of when A.J. Hinch decides to throw Morton and McCullers,  I think Darvish has the edge. In game three.

Although the former Texas Ranger didn't light the world on fire for LA in the home stretch of the regular season, he has been dominant in October.  In two playoff starts, Darvish has allowed just two runs combined, and has an excellent 1.42 earned run average. Darvish has shown that he is capable of being among the games best, and in the postseason, he has been on his game. Although Houston is arguably the best team in baseball at hitting right-handed pitching I think that Darvish will follow in Masahiro Tanaka's footsteps and quiet Houston's attack.

Dodgers 4, Astros 2


Game Four: Alex Wood vs. Morton/McCullers

Photo creds to MLB.Com

As with game three, the fact that the Dodgers know who they are throwing out there gives them an advantage. But knowing that Houston hasn't lost at Minute Maid Park in the postseason, it's hard to imagine the Astros losing three straight at home. Knowing that Kershaw would probably pitch game five, the odds aren't in Houston's favor for that game, so game four is their best bet to get their first ever home World Series win. Both McCullers and Morton are capable, and one of which will throw well enough to even up the series for the 'Stros.

Astros 5, Dodgers 4

Game Five: Kershaw vs. Keuchel II
If the series goes according to plan, this will be the most intriguing matchup by far. Both of these men are former Cy Young winners, both have been lights out in the playoffs and whoever would win game five of a 2-2 series would have a clear advantage going forward. It's tough to imagine Keuchel losing twice in the fall classic, but when his opponent is Kershaw both times, it becomes easier to picture. In short, Clayton Kershaw is good, and he is on a mission to dispell any notion that he can't get it done in the postseason.

Dodgers 1, Astros 0

Game Six: Verlander vs. Hill II

Photo creds to Amazon.Com

As I mentioned before, the Astros have the edge in this pitching matchup. But should this series get to a sixth game with LA coming back home one win away from glory, another story will come to mind.

In the 1993 National League Championship Series, the upstart Philadelphia Phillies had a 3-2 series lead on the mighty Atlanta Braves. Although Philly was in the drivers seat up headed back home, the pitching matchup for game six looked pretty lopsided.

Taking the mound for Atlanta was future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux. Opposing Maddux was Tommy Greene. You might ask yourself who the hell Tommy Greene is, and by doing that, you would be proving my point.

The legend and the obscure figure faced each other earlier in game two, and it went as expected. Atlanta won, big, 14-3. The two met again six days later, and this time, Greene got the best of Maddux, and the Phillies went on to the World Series.

Now, this is not a perfect comparison by any means. Rich Hill has had an accomplished baseball career and is still a rock-solid starting pitcher at 37. But he is not Justin Verlander. Despite that, my gut tells me that, if all goes according to plan, Hill would be out for revenge in the potential clincher, and a guy like him has come too far to let that chance slip away.

Dodgers 4, Astros 2

2017 World Series Champions: LA Dodgers

As much as I love A.J. Hinch and this young Astros team, the fact that LA has been knocking on the door for the past several years, as well as the clear advantage that the Dodgers have with their bullpen, and the depth of the starting rotation, leads me to believe that Houston will fail to "Beat LA."

Photo creds to MLB.Com