McCutchen ranks Clemente Award 'at the top'

In the four-plus decades of Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Award, only one player from Clemente's franchise had won it: Willie Stargell in 1974.

Well, move over, Pops, and make room for Cutch.

Andrew McCutchen was named the recipient of the award, which goes annually to the player who best contributes to the game on and off the field, Friday night in New York before Game 3 of the World Series, at a press conference attended by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and Roberto Clemente's widow, Vera.

The Pirates' center fielder called the honor greater even than his 2013 National League MVP or five All-Star selections.

"Definitely at the top," McCutchen told reporters at Citi Field. "That's for sure."

Of the award's namesake, he added, "It means a little more to me because I wear a Pirates uniform. I can only hope I can do half of what he did."



McCutchen long has learned of the legacy of Clemente, not only through reading but also by discussing him with the Clemente family -- which visits PNC Park regularly -- and broadcaster Steve Blass, a teammate on the Pirates' 1971 World Series championship team.

"The thing is, you never hear a story about how he played the game," McCutchen said. "You always hear about how great of a person he is. I feel like what was most important to Clemente was helping others. You can see it through other people. That definitely made a big impact on me. That's how you want to be remembered."

The official description of the award, which also goes to one player on each of the 30 teams a month before the final winner is named, calls the recipient the one "who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement."

Among McCutchen's many off-the-field endeavors are the establishment of the Cutch's Crew program that helps mentor and provide funding for inner-city baseball programs in Pittsburgh. He also serves as spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, works extensively with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and appears regularly at functions in his native Fort Meade, Fla.

Earlier this year, he cut off his famous dreadlocks to raise money for charity.

And then, of course, there was this moment in San Diego this May that went viral worldwide and spread the word of his personality:



"You're just trying to make a difference," McCutchen said. "Baseball is a great sport, and it's blessed me a lot. I'm just trying to do my best to give back."

Bob Nutting, the Pirates' owner and a passionate proponent of charitable work, praised McCutchen: “What I appreciate the most about Andrew is in those moments that take place away from the public spotlight. To see the smile on the faces of a young group of players when they meet Andrew for the first time, or the impact made on a young child that can forget about their challenges to spend time with Andrew. Andrew always makes it a priority to be a positive impact in our community, the very same way that Roberto Clemente once did. Having a Pirates player recognized for carrying on Clemente’s legacy of giving back makes this extra special.”

I wanted to add something, but the owner put it best: It's the moments the public doesn't see. It's the emotion involved. It's investing in an ailing child and doing so without barriers. It's being moved to the point he needs time to compose himself before competing.

I can tell you one such instance occurred on this day in Bradenton:



The following is a picture I snapped that day of Cutch and Taylor by the cage. They were inseparable all day long. It was beautiful.