Andrew McCutchen is solidifying his legacy during his second stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates, recently surpassing another franchise icon, Willie Stargell, on the all-time hits list. Earlier this season, McCutchen made headlines by surpassing Roberto Clemente to become the third all-time home run hitter in Pirates history, with 327 homers, while Stargell remains the leader with 475.
On Monday, McCutchen achieved a significant milestone by earning his 2,233rd hit against the Detroit Tigers, moving him into 180th place on the all-time MLB hits list, surpassing Stargell’s total of 2,232 hits. McCutchen had tied Stargell the day before when he notched a double against the Chicago White Sox. Stargell, who played his entire 21-year career with the Pirates from 1962 to 1982, remains a cherished figure in franchise history.
Out of his total hits, an impressive 1,748 have come while wearing a Pirates uniform. In Monday’s game, McCutchen went 1-for-3 with a walk, contributing to a 3-0 victory over the best team in baseball and supporting Paul Skenes in earning his fifth win of the season.
Looking ahead, McCutchen has a solid opportunity to continue climbing the all-time hits ranks. With just one hit needed to tie Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt at 2,234 for 179th and another 14 hits needed to tie Edgar Martinez for 175th, McCutchen could further solidify his place among baseball legends. With 81 hits in 89 games this season, including 23 extra-base hits, he shows promise as he aims for a top 175 finish by the end of the season.
The Pirates are preparing to sweep the Tigers at PNC Park on Wednesday, creating an exciting atmosphere for fans and further inspiring McCutchen as he continues to chase history. This performance not only highlights his talents but also brings hope to Pirates supporters who value the heritage of their franchise.