Major League with strict rules. An exception was made to the “pitch clock” rule for returning “pirate captain” Andrew McCutchen (37, Pittsburgh Pirates).
McCutchen started as the designated hitter in the 2023 Major League Chicago White Sox game held at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on the 8th (Korean time). He went 2-for-5 and helped the team win 13–9.
The match was the home opener for Pittsburgh’s 2023 season. All the players who prepared hard for the off-season were the main characters, but there was one player who stood out in particular. That’s McCutchen.
McCutchen was drafted by Pittsburgh with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. He has a batting average of 0.277 (1954 hits in 7055 at-bats), 287 homers, 1003 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.838 in 1902 major league games.
McCutchen in his 15th year in the big leagues. He went through many teams, including Pittsburgh, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers. Among them, his Pittsburgh days were the brightest. As a ‘Pirate Captain’, he spent a successful career in Pittsburgh, including the National League MVP once (2013) and National League All-Star selection five times (2011-2015).
At the end of the 2017 season, McCutchen left Pittsburgh. He returned to his former team by signing a free agent (free agent) contract ahead of this season. And the Pittsburgh home fans gave McCutchen a hearty applause.
At that moment, a striking scene was captured. Referee and White Sox starter Lucas Giolito and catcher Yasmani Grandal emptied home plate. It was a consideration so that McCutchen could receive enough cheers and applause. This attracted attention because it violated the ‘pitch clock’ rule introduced this season by the Major League Secretariat.
Major League Baseball introduced a ‘pitch clock’ system to strengthen game speed this year. A pitcher must pitch within 15 seconds when there are no runners and 20 seconds when there are runners. The batter must get into a batting position at the plate within 8 seconds. However, the pitcher and catcher, led by the umpire, gave McCutchen enough time to welcome home fans.
“I think there has to be lenience (in the enforcement of the rules),” Pittsburgh coach Derek Shelton told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.토토사이트 “McKutchen means a lot to this city and this should be his moment.” .
After the game, McCutchen expressed his gratitude, saying, “(The fans’ greetings) were amazing, and it is a moment that will be remembered for the rest of my life.”
