Andrew McCutchen gets warm welcome first game back in Pittsburgh

Andrew McCutchen's return to Pittsburgh: pic.twitter.com/UuSOrjXXA3

— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) May 11, 2018

For the first nine years of his MLB career, outfielder Andrew McCutchen was seen as the face of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise.

A five-time All-Star during his time with the team, Cutch earned the NL MVP back in 2013 and is considered the best player to suit up in Pittsburgh since Barry Bonds decades earlier.

Like Bonds, McCutchen ultimately moved on to the San Francisco Giants. It came in a trade from Pittsburgh during the winter.

With his Giants in the midst of an east coast trip, McCutchen made his long-awaited return to Pittsburgh Friday evening. The reception he received was pretty darn awesome, including a standing ovation and MVP chants.

McCutchen, 31, returns to Pittsburgh boasting a mediocre .250 average with just three homers and 14 RBI on the season.

It’s a far cry from his heyday with the Pirates. But in no way does that mean fans wouldn’t receive the all-time Pirate great in a stellar fashion.