McCutchen enters Year 18 full of gratitude as he debuts with Rangers

PHILADELPHIA -- The crowd at Citizens Bank Park booed everyone associated with the Rangers, just as the fans in Philadelphia do.

All but one.

When Andrew McCutchen's name was introduced as part of the Rangers’ Opening Day lineup on Thursday, he received a lighter welcome. It wasn’t the loud, echoing cheers that every member of the Phillies was welcomed with. But it was warmer than most.

“I enjoyed myself for the time that I was here [2019-21],” said McCutchen, who doubled in the fourth inning of the Rangers' 5-3 loss. “The fan base is passionate. They're going to hold you accountable every time you step out there. I like being held accountable. They have an expectation of their team and of you personally. You can't go through the motions when you get here, because if you do that, they're going to remind you. I appreciated that.”

The fact that McCutchen is even able to be in Philadelphia for Opening Day is shocking to some, even himself.

McCutchen signed a Minor League deal with the Rangers on March 6. He was told he made the Opening Day roster just days ago in Arlington. It’s been a crazy three weeks for a 39-year-old who knows he’s inching towards the end of his career.

In fact, as Spring Training went on and on, he became more and more sure that the career was already over, whether he wanted it to be or not.

“I honestly thought there was like a 90% chance that I wasn't going to be playing in 2026,” McCutchen said. “I was at the realization to where I thought that that was a possibility. To go from that in a very short amount of time to being here at this moment is crazy. It's really hard to put into words that feeling.

“I think people will realize the appreciation that I have for the game, if they already don't know that. I'm playing just as hard as I've ever played it, and maybe even harder than I have played it. I've got to continue to try to improve and do better. The only thing I can do is just be where my feet are.”

McCutchen acknowledged the mental toll it took on him to go unsigned all offseason, as even the Pirates -- who he spent 12 years of his big league career with -- opted to move forward without him. The Rangers gave him an opportunity to change the narrative and prove he could still be a big league starter. He’s well on his way to doing that.

But if you ask him, he’s not breaking the narrative just yet. The success he had in Spring Training was just that. Spring Training. But now he’s in a position to prove himself to everybody.

“Credit to him for staying ready,” said Rangers manager Skip Schumaker. “He came in and hit .500 in spring and was still running around and playing defense. His body feels good, he’s good in the clubhouse. He's not coming here just to get another couple days of service time. He's coming to win and to try to get a ring. That's on his mind. He's got a great resume, and he’s still got a lot left, in my opinion. He's got a lot to prove, which is great for me because of all the other teams that didn't want him. That makes my job easier when guys have an edge and have something to prove.”

There’s nobody quite as well aware of their body’s mortality as baseball players. McCutchen is not different. And he affirms that he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t think both his mind and body was still ready for the grind of a full 162.

“I’m running this tank fully out,” McCutchen said with a laugh.