It wasn’t that long ago that Andrew McCutchen was in high school in Florida before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. His dream was to always make it to the big leagues, but he and his high school coach Jon Spradlin always joked about how cool it would be to one day have Spradlin pitch to McCutchen at the home run derby. Tomorrow, McCutchen and Spradlin will have that dream come true.
“We used to always talk about when I was in high school,” McCutchen said. “He was like ‘That would be kind of cool one day’ and I was like ‘Ya that would be kind of cool’ (McCutchen said in a high-pitch high school voice). We were just kind of joking and I sent him a text, told him I do need a BP thrower. He was like ‘I can get loose real quick (laughs). Not only is it something that is pretty neat for myself, but it’s something that is pretty neat for him too. It’s going to be pretty awesome.”
McCutchen said that he sent his coach a text message last night asking if he would throw to him during the competition and says he is comfortable with the job he’ll do, but is concerned about the his nerves.
“I can only imagine how my coach is going to feel when he steps out onto the field and has to throw me BP in front of 40,000-plus fans,” McCutchen said. “I feel more nervous for him than I do myself. I kind of put him on the spot. I just asked him last night, and it’s tomorrow. He knows what I like, that’s why I asked him. He’s had me since high school and he knows where I like them and hopefully he’ll be able to put them there for me.”
McCutchen said initially when Matt Kemp texted him that Giancarlo Stanton was hurt and he needed a replacement, he wasn’t able to give him a definite answer. But with a little persuasion by his girlfriend, McCutchen decided to participate.
“I kind of had to talk myself into it, well I didn’t talk myself into it, my girlfriend Maria talked me into it and I was talking myself out of it,” McCutchen said. “I was like ‘Ah, I don’t know if I want to do it’ and she said ‘Hey, it’s a once in a lifetime chance for you.’ I said ‘Alright, I guess you’re right.’ So I went out and thought it over and talked to a few people and said ‘Alright, the heck with it, let’s do it.”
McCutchen knows that he isn’t the prototypical home run derby contestant. Most of the guys are big guys who can drive the ball far. McCutchen knows he can hit home runs, but also knows he won’t be able to hit them as far as some guys.
“You look at the guys that are in the derby, the guys that hit 40-50 home runs. They’re big guys that can drive the ball 500 plus feet,” McCutchen said. I’m not that person that is going to hit a ball 500 feet, it’s just not going to happen. I can hit some home runs, but just not that far.”
A lot of people are critical of the home run derby as they feel it messes with players swings in the second half of the season. Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle isn’t concerned that it will affect his star outfielder though.
“I just chatted with him earlier today and I just told him to go get it, go embrace it,” Hurdle said. “There’s a lot of school of thoughts that it will wreck his swing; It’s not going to wreck his swing. He’s a smart kid. (I told him) Go there, look for the ball up in the zone and you’ll hit it out of the ballpark just like you’ve done most of your career.”
McCutchen has no worries that it will alter his swing either.
“With my swing, there’s nothing that can really change,” McCutchen explained. “My swing is short and quick so I really don’t know how to do anything different. I don’t know how to swing underneath a ball and try to hit it up. I’m more of a straight to it, quick through it type of swing.”
McCutchen said regardless of the results, he’s going to have a lot of fun in the competition.
“If I hit 10 line drives, I hit 10 line drives,” McCutchen said laughing. “I’m just going to have a lot of fun with it. People can say they’ve been in an All-Star game, but not too many people can say they’ve been in a home run derby. I’ll be able to say that regardless of the results”
During McCutchen’s turns at the plate, the announcers on ESPN will have a chance to talk about the Pirates and their success. Does McCutchen embrace the chance for some recognition?
“That will take care of itself, our recognition,” McCutchen said. “I don’t mind staying under the radar for the whole season and the next thing you know, they look up and we’re in first somewhere. That would be fine with me. I could care less about the recognition. I’m going out because it’s fun. Going to smile, have some laughs and have something to remember for the rest of my life. I don’t really care about anything except that.”
Hurdle however, said it’s great to get the recognition not just for the team, but for the city as well.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Hurdle said. “I have trouble using the word honor, but I guess it is. It’s a great opportunity for Pittsburgh to be represented, the organization and the fan base.”
In his second All-Star game, McCutchen said his experience last year is definitely going to help him this year.
“Last year, I wasn’t expecting on going and then I go. My eyes were so wide and so big, I didn’t really know how to handle it,”McCutchen explained. “I was like ‘This is crazy’ and went to take BP and there were hundreds of people in front of the dugouts. Cameras and people and I couldn’t even feel comfortable at batting practice with all of those people, but this year’s definitely going to be different because I’ve seen it and know what to expect.”
“I’m just going to let it sink in and smile and have fun, instead of just looking around like a little kid in Toys ‘R Us.”
McCutchen said he is truly honored with his selection and above all, he just wants to enjoy the experience.
“I’m going to smile, have some laughs and have something to remember for the rest of my life. I don’t really care about anything except that.”
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