After MVP year, McCutchen ready to get back to work

BRADENTON, Fla. -- On Monday's reporting day for position players, National League Most Valuable Player Andrew McCutchen led the early arrivals into camp -- which included everyone but Josh Harrison, proud new father of baby Mia.

Whereas being a new daddy prompted Harrison to want to stretch his offseason as much as possible -- he was expected to check in by nightfall, then join Tuesday's first full-squad workout -- McCutchen couldn't wait to get here.

He had two good reasons for that: Finding some relative quiet after his tumultuous offseason, and every day bringing him closer the end of his bachelorhood.

"There were way more distractions this year than last," said McCutchen, obviously even more in demand after his personal and the team's success. "It was fun, and it was quick. I accepted that the offseason would go quicker but, hey, the quicker the offseason, the quicker the season starts -- and the quicker I get married."

Most of the world saw McCutchen propose to Maria on the Dec. 11 "Ellen." Those who did not have since caught up on Youtube. The incident raised McCutchen's celebrity to a different level -- as he expected.

"I kinda assumed that's what would happen," McCutchen said. "I got the MVP, and I knew after the proposal people would just forget about the MVP, that that's what I'd be all about. And that's the way it should be. Everybody loves 'Ellen,' so I knew I'd get attention with that."