Pirates’ McCutchen Called Out MLB’s Decision to Play Through Wildfire Smoke

The veteran outfielder didn’t agree with the league’s decision to play games through wildfire smoke that is once again affecting the northeast this week.

For the second time this month, wildfire smoke has permeated the northeast due to raging fires in Canada. 

Poor visibility, and more importantly, poor air quality, have plagued MLB games throughout parts of the month of June.

On Thursday, the Pirates and Padres were set to play the last game of a three-game series at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The afternoon game was delayed 45 minutes due to smoke and air quality issues but the air quality wasn’t expected to get much better throughout the afternoon, even though visibility was improving.

As a result, Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen blasted MLB’s decision to play the game on Thursday. 

“Of course I’m concerned,” McCutchen told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette before the game. “You read the alerts. You read everything they’re saying, trying to stay safe from outside. One of the main things is to avoid strenuous activity, and that’s what we’re doing for three-plus hours out there.”

McCutchen sported a mask on the field on Thursday during the game, backing up his comments and concerns regarding the air quality.

Andrew McCutchen made a statement with his mask about the Pirates playing today despite the air quality issues pic.twitter.com/7GcQNRpQj9

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 29, 2023

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McCutchen was joined by catcher Austin Hedges in criticizing the league’s decision to play on Thursday.

“I don’t really know why we are playing,” Hedges told the Associated Press. “It seems like everyone is kind of uneducated on the subject, which is too bad. It’s clear as day when you look at your phone and you check the numbers. Like, it’s told you don’t go outside. They’re not telling you don’t go outside and they’re not saying that for no reason. We’re not any different than any other humans.”

It’s likely that McCutchen and Hedges won’t be the only ones to question MLB’s decision to play on Thursday, with several games in the northeast still on the docket to be played into the evening.