Andrew McCutchen named National League MVP

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player Thursday night by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

McCutchen, who was the catalyst behind the Pirates’ first winning season and playoff berth since 1992, beat out Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt and St. Louis’ Yadier Molina.

“I’m proud of, and happy for, Andrew and the entire Pirates organization,” said Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle, who was tabbed the National League Manager-of-the-Year Tuesday. “I’ve said all along that he was my vote for MVP and I’m thrilled to see that all his hard work and dedication to the game, and to the Pirates, has resulted in this award.”

McCutchen, who finished third behind Buster Posey and Ryan Braun in the MVP voting last year, hit .317 with 38 doubles, five triples, 21 home runs, 84 RBI, 97 runs scored and 27 stolen bases in 157 games in 2013.

He ended the season ranked seventh in the league in batting, third in hits (185) and on-base percentage (.404), second in multihit games (59), sixth in runs scored and slugging percentage (.508) and fifth in total bases (296).

“This is a tremendous honor, not only for Andrew and his family, but for the Pittsburgh Pirates,” said Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. “Since making his major league debut in 2009, he has been a great ambassador for the game of baseball. The Pirates organization is extremely proud of his focus and commitment, not just to the team, but to the entire Pittsburgh community.”

The three-time All-Star has also been named the Most Outstanding Player in the National League by his peers the last two seasons as well as a Silver Slugger Award winner in 2012 and 2013.

McCutchen is the sixth Pirate to win the award since it was created in 1931. The five other Pirates who have won it are Barry Bonds (1990 and ‘92), Willie Stargell (1979, co-winner with Keith Hernandez of the St. Louis Cardinals), Dave Parker (1978), Roberto Clemente (1966) and Dick Groat (1960). Hall-of-Famer Paul Waner also received the National League Most Valuable Player Citation in 1927.

WPXI