Every Friday on First Pitch, the focus is on baseball memories.
Since February is Black History Month, I wanted to use this space to highlight some of the most notable black players in Pittsburgh Pirates history.
And who better to start with than Andrew McCutchen?
McCutchen is by far the most iconic and impactful member of the Pirates in the last few decades, and resulted as one of the best All-Time Pirates in many categories.
The Pirates were one of the worst teams in the game of baseball for decades before McCutchen arrived in the majors. A few years after he arrived, he was putting up MVP-level performances, with four seasons of 6+ WAR performances to fuel the Pirates during their 2013-15 success. He won the 2013 MVP award in the process, along with four silver sluggers and five All-Star appearances.
For more appreciation of what McCutchen did to bring competitive baseball back to Pittsburgh, check out his best Pirates moments. Which was your favorite? Leave it in the comments below.
Daily Links
**Baseball America Ranks the Pirates as the Third Best Farm System
THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
Top 100 Prospects: The Pirates Have a Strong Showing Heading Into 2022
“Strengthening Between the Ears,” Quinn Priester Preparing For 2022
A Clear Mindset Drives Roansy Contreras to the Top 100 and the Majors
Williams: The Capacity For Change
Tsung-Che Cheng Gains Valuable Experience in Winter Ball
Logan Hofmann: Spin Rate Makes Righty Interesting Prospect to Watch
Prospect Notes: Logan Hofmann, Brad Case, Nick Dombkowski, Tsung-Che Cheng
**Coach Like a Girl: Pirates’ Caitlyn Callahan is Breaking Through Barriers
**Williams: If Not Yet, Then When?
**Dueling Proposals: Where Each Side Stands Mid-Lockout (Update)
**Your Favorite Struggling Prospect Just Hasn’t Reached His Goals Yet
**The Best wRC+ Seasons in Pittsburgh Pirates History
**This Date in Pittsburgh Pirates History: February 4th, Possum, Lefty and Plesac
**A Snapshot in Time: Ten New Players for the 1901 Pirates
PBN Updates
First Pitch: Day Sixty Two – This Month on Pirates Prospects
Song of the Day
Since we’re focusing on icons today, might as well have an icon for the Song of the Day.
This Week on First Pitch
MONDAY: Lockout
TUESDAY: This Month on Pirates Prospects
WEDNESDAY: Black History Month
THURSDAY: LOST
FRIDAY: Andrew McCutchen
SATURDAY: Killer Mike
SUNDAY: EndlessPursuit