January 15, 2018: the day Pirates fans cries could be heard all throughout Pittsburgh.

Andrew McCutchen was a player who gave hope to the Pittsburgh Pirate franchise. For 20 years, the steel city baseball team never saw a game past regular season, until a promising player with the number 22 displayed on his jersey joined the roster.

Andrew McCutchen’s career with the Pirates gave the city something to cheer for again. He lead the team to post-season three years in a row. He has hit over 1,463 home runs, and has an overall batting average of .291. He was selected to the National League All Star Team in 2011. He won the MLB MVP in 2013, and that year lead the pirates to a 94-68 record.  He quickly became the face of the pirates and a model citizen. McCutchen will easily go down as one of the greatest players in the history of the Pittsburgh baseball team.

That is why when the news broke that he had been traded, baseball fans all could not comprehend the decision.

Statistically, McCutchen hasn’t been playing his best the last couple seasons. His batting average dropped below .200 and his lack of defense was starting to show. Rumors circulated this time last year that the pirates might make the move.

On Monday January 15 the franchise followed through with previous suspicions and traded McCutchen to the Giants. This ended their nine year relationship with the baseball icon. In return, the Pirates received outfielder Bryan Reynolds, who was the Giants number four prospect.

Neal Huntington, the general manager of the pirates, stated that this was the most difficult decision he has made during his time as the GM.

“We and I believe that this is the right baseball decision for the Pirates organization as we continue to work to infuse talent, add quality players at all levels to work to get this organization back to the postseason, with our singular focus of bringing the next World Series championship to Pittsburgh,” Huntington said.

This trade wasn’t easy for McCutchen either. Pittsburgh was the city he started his career in 2009 and where he named his son “steel” after. The decision crushed his dreams of standing in PNC park and looking around at his teammates and loved ones at his retirement ceremony.

After the trade was official, McCutchen tweeted out, “Pittsburgh. My Home. My Fans. My City. The place that raised me and helped mold me into the man I am today. You will 4ever be in my heart. A tip of the cap to all who have been on this journey with me. With Love and respect, Cutch.”

Aimee Siecinski, a softball player and fan of the pirates, said, “McCutchen has always been a big asset to the team. He’s been one of my favorite players since I started watching them. It is hard to see him go. The Giants are lucky to have him.”