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Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday morning, outfielder Nate McLouth bid an emotional farewell to the Pirates.
McLouth stopped by the home team's clubhouse at PNC Park about 16 hours after he was traded to the Atlanta Braves for three minor-leaguers. He spoke with reporters for about five minutes, pausing several times to wipe tears from his eyes.
After signing a three-year, $15.75 million contract in February, McLouth figured he was safe from the trade market.
Pirates fans hold signs referring to the trade of Nate McLouth during Thursday's game against the Mets Thursday at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner/Tribune-Review
"It was the last thought on my mind," McLouth said. "In this business, you know it's always a possibility. You see it happen, but it's different when it happens to you. This is my 10th year in the Pirates' organization, and ... there's a lot of good people I'm going to miss.
"I was pretty sure I was going to be here a few more years, but ...sometimes things don't happen."
McLouth, 27, had a breakthrough season in 2008. He batted .276 with 26 home runs and 94 RBI, made the All-Star team and won a Gold Glove in center field.
This season, McLouth is hitting .256 and was leading the Pirates in homers (nine) and RBI (34).
"It sucks because Nate's such a really good dude on the field and off the field," reliever John Grabow said. "He's a class act. To lose a guy like that is tough -- for me personally and for the team."
Like McLouth, the Pirates players said they were stunned by the trade, which was announced shortly after Wednesday's game against the New York Mets was rained out.
"Last year, when Xavier Nady and Jason Bay got traded, there was a ton of talk about it," McLouth said. "It was something that, more or less, people saw coming. I guess even (Bay and Nady) saw it coming. But this ... it's a strange feeling.
"I know how hard it was for me and everyone else last year when those two guys left. Hopefully, these guys can take this in stride and believe in what (management is) doing here."
McLouth's voice caught, and he paused.
"They have to believe that -- as hard as it is for me to say it -- this organization has a better shot of winning a championship now."
While the Pirates continue to build toward someday being a contender, the Braves are actually in a playoff chase. They began yesterday third in the NL East, 5 1/2 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies.
"There's so many different levels to the emotions I'm feeling right now," McLouth said. "One of the things I'm looking forward to is having an immediate chance to doing something in the playoffs."
In this Monday, June 1, 2009, photo, Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Nate McLouth(notes) comes off the field during a baseball game against the New York Mets in Pittsburgh. McLouth was traded Wednesday, June 3, to the Atlanta Braves for two pitchers and a outfielder. (AP)Yet, even the excitement of possibly getting into the postseason -- something Bay finally experienced after he was traded to Boston -- can buffer McLouth's disappointment to be leaving Pittsburgh.
"It's going to be tough, you know?" McLouth said, his voice cracking again. "Transitioning to a new team, the baseball part, is not going to be tough. It's going to be (difficult) leaving behind the people I love."
McLouth won't have to wait long to see his former teammates. Monday, the Pirates open a four-game series against the Braves at Turner Field.
"See you in a few days," first baseman Adam LaRoche said as McLouth turned to walk away from LaRoche's locker.
McLouth smiled and chuckled.
But only for a moment.
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