The game began with Andrew McCutchen, who had appeared in 123 of the San Francisco Giants’ 127 games, not in the lineup.
He wasn’t in the clubhouse when media had access. He wasn’t on the field during warm-ups and batting practice.
He was on waivers.
The game ended with McCutchen in the on-deck circle, bat in hand and helmet on head, awaiting a pinch-hitting chance that never came.
That may never come.
McCutchen’s situation is a bittersweet one, whatever the resolution may be. I had a hard time enjoying the game, as the whole time I was thinking about how I may not seen McCutchen in a Giants jersey ever again.