The feeling that first hit Andrew McCutchen’s stomach Thursday afternoon at a Starbucks in San Francisco still hadn’t left him by the time he arrived Saturday morning in The Bronx.
Not even 10-year pros are immune to nerves.
But they weren’t keeping McCutchen from embracing the challenge that awaited him as he put on the pinstripes for the first time Saturday at Yankee Stadium. The former NL MVP was batting leadoff and playing right field, trying to help the Yankees push through a September playoff race without Aaron Judge.
“In big situations, you want to be the guy because at the end of the day, you don’t get those opportunities a lot,” McCutchen said before making his debut against the Tigers.