Former Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Appreciative Of Fans After Reaching Milestone

Philadelphia Phillies fans had to see one of their former players make MLB history at Citizens Bank Park in a game that saw their favorite team lose.

Apr 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies dropped a frustrating game on Sunday that pushed them to .500 on the season. They split the four-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates after their offense was virtually non-existent.

Things were punctuated during the 9-2 loss in the finale when one of their former outfielders made MLB history during the game.

Andrew McCutchen, who spent three years with the Phillies, is now back with the Pirates to finish out his career.

In the top of the ninth inning, he hit a two-run blast that got him to the No. 300 milestone.

He became the 160th player to join the 300 home run club and the 12th active player who has hit that number or more. 216 of them came in a Pittsburgh uniform, while 47 came with Philadelphia.

Because of his time with the Phillies, McCutchen was very appreciative that the fans gave him his moment. That started in the first game of the series when he was given a standing ovation.

"I appreciate them for that. Because I was a guy making $20 million one year, and I wasn't holding my end of the bargain. And I felt like I should've done better," the former MVP winner said according to Nathan Ackerman of Phillies Nation.

His struggles might have been a bit overblown considering his OPS+ was still above average at 109, but for someone so competitive, it was a clear departure away from the performances he was used to putting up.

After his milestone moment happened in Philadelphia, he was able to reflect on the time he spent playing in front of these fans.

"But they still supported me and appreciated me. And, you know, I appreciate them for that. And I'll appreciate them for the rest of my life for it," he said.

Phillies fans likely would have preferred if this didn't happen when McCutchen was facing his former team in a blowout, but it's still a great moment for a former player to return to a place where he spent three years and make MLB history.