Hayes' Debut Gives off Major "Cutch" Vibes

Hayes was scintillating both at the plate and in the field at the hot corner.

In the top of the first inning, his often talked about sterling glove was tested with a Kris Bryant missile off of starting pitcher Chad Kuhl that would have scored two runs if Hayes didn't display his cat-like reflects. He calmly made the play and looked the part of a ten year vet in doing so. What would he have for an encore?

Well, at the dish he hit two absolute missiles - a ringing double off of the left field wall in the bottom of the 6th for his first major league hit and RBI. Then after a long rain delay he one-upped himself - crushing his first career home-run to near dead center to tie the contest in the bottom of the 8th.

The Pirates would ultimately go on to lose the game which quite frankly means nothing in an already lost season for the team. What the game and moments meant were much more than a final score. It now appears that maybe, just maybe - there is more hope for the franchises short term future than we might have thought all along.

The debut reminded me of another Pirate who transcended the city with his play on the field and his demeanor off of it. 

On June 4th, 2009 Andrew McCutchen went 2-for-4 against the Mets in his first game, with a steal and three runs scored. 

It felt like the beginning of something special - but little did we know just how special it would be.

Ultimately, it was the first look at a future MVP, a man who led the squad to multiple playoff berths, and the full rebirth of passion for the Pirates in our great sports town. His mom, Petrina McCutchen even brought down the house singing the National Anthem prior to the Pirates wild-card victory over the Reds in 2013. He and his family were not just embraced by the city. They became a huge part of this city and its DNA.

I’m not saying we’re going to get Ke’Bryan’s Dad, Charlie - a former Pirate himself, on the microphone anytime soon. But this could be Pittsburgh’s next adopted family. 

I know Hayes and Cutch play different positions, and I understand that Hayes those are big shoes to fill. But last night while watching I couldn’t help but have that feeling. And it sure was good to feel something positive again while watching a Buccos game.