Here’s how McCutchen chose his iconic No. 22
This story was excerpted from Justice delos Santos’ Pirates Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it recurrently in your inbox.
Andrew McCutchen has worn just one quantity as a Pittsburgh Pirate: No. 22. With the double deuce on his again, McCutchen grew to become a five-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger, a one-time Gold Glover and the Pirates’ first MVP Award winner since Barry Bonds. But again in 2009 when he was the brand new child on the town, McCutchen supposed to put on No. 22 for only one season.
McCutchen was — and nonetheless is — a fan of Ken Griffey Jr. He described Griffey Jr. as his idol, probably watching numerous highlights of The Kid throughout his childhood in Florida. So when McCutchen made his debut with the Pirates in 2009, he, too, needed to rock No. 24. There was only one small holdup.
When McCutchen was known as up, pitcher Tom Gorzelanny was already sporting No. 24. Instead of Griffey Jr.’s digits, McCutchen wore No. 22, an aesthetically pleasing quantity, however not his digits of alternative.
McCutchen predicted that Gorzelanny probably wouldn’t be on the workforce in 2010, which might open the door for him to put on Griffey Jr.’s signature quantity. Sure sufficient, the Pirates traded Gorzelanny forward of the ‘09 Trade Deadline. But whereas McCutchen had the chance to make the change, his tone shifted when he appeared into the stands and began seeing the No. 22 — his No. 22.
“As the season went on that year in 2009, I started to see people wear my jersey,” McCutchen mentioned. “I thought that was the coolest thing in the world. I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to keep 22.’ I would feel bad if I wore 22, then the following year, I’m wearing 24.”
McCutchen might not have worn No. 24 with the Pirates as he envisioned, however in 2022, he lastly had the chance to take action with Milwaukee. Last Spring Training, McCutchen was in the course of discussing the chance to put on No. 24 when Mike Vassallo, the Brewers’ senior director of media relations, gave McCutchen a cellphone with Griffey Jr. on the road. For the total story, click on right here.
Upon returning to Pittsburgh, McCutchen didn’t have to fret about bartering with teammates to reclaim his quantity. Not solely was the No. 22 vacant, however no Pirate has worn the quantity since McCutchen was traded. McCutchen credited the group, particularly clubhouse and tools supervisor Scott “Bones” Bonnett, for caring for the quantity throughout his 5 seasons away from the workforce.
“I’m sure Bones has had his dustups with some guys who may have come and might have wanted to wear 22,” McCutchen mentioned. “I’ve acquired to thank these guys for preserving it, and in addition respect the gamers who’ve come right here for not essentially requesting it. It speaks so much for them.
“I appreciate them, and I appreciate anyone who played a part in it. It’s nice to be able to wear it and to know that no one else wore it ever since I’ve put it on. Ever since Xavier Nady left in [2008], I’ve been wearing 22.”
