Here’s a drafted BREAKING NEWS–
article on the moment for the Pirates and Andrew McCutchen, complete with an urgent message to Don
PITTSBURGH, July 3, 2025 – In a milestone moment last night, franchise legend Andrew McCutchen etched his name further into Pirates lore by hitting his 241st homer as a Pirate, moving past Roberto Clemente for third place on the team’s all-time li
But this landmark achievement wasn’t just personal glory. McCutchen seized the moment to deliver a stern, necessary message to Manager Don Kelly and his struggling squad: “We have to earn respect—on the field, in the clubhouse, in every inning.” His words came in response to questionable umpiring and emphasize a bigger issue—Pirates baseball demands pride and accountabil
- The season has been rocky: a disastrous 12–26 start led to the dismissal of Derek Shelton, elevating Kelly to the manager’s seat (
- McCutchen made it clear: “He can’t help us … we have to help ourselves,” reinforcing player responsibility and commitment
- In recent weeks, he’s stressed “locking in and doing the small things right,” hoping it will spike performan
🔥 Cutch’s Call to Action: An Urgent Message
To: Don Kelly & the Entire Pittsburgh Pirates Team
- Embrace Ownership: Don, your leadership sets the tone—but it’s the players who must execute. This team’s destiny lies in its actions, not its bench.
- Earn Respect Every Night: As Andrew said, respect isn’t granted by the umpire—it’s earned by hustle, effort, and resilience down in the trenches.
- Master the Fundamentals: It starts with the small things—smart baserunning, crisp defense, clutch plate discipline. Do those, and the big moments take care of themselves.
- Lead from the Front: Veterans like Cutch and Keller have shown how it’s done. Inspire from the top down: get vocal, take initiative, show grit.
- Recommit to the Pirates Identity: Pittsburgh isn’t about star power—it’s about tough, scrappy baseball. Rediscover that DNA. Fight for every run, every out.
The Road Ahead
This season hangs in the balance. McCutchen’s milestone homer was poetic—passing Roberto Clemente—but it also marked a crossroads. The message to Kelly and the team couldn’t be clearer: change starts with you.
Channel that history. Rally around Cutch. Fight for pride.
— End of Urgent Report —
Let me know if you’d like this formalized into a press release, social media posts, or quotes formatted for the team’s communications channels!
