McCutchen enamored by Pittsburgh ovation: 'A moment I will never forget'

On Friday, for the first time in his career, Andrew McCutchen stepped on the field of PNC Park from the away dugout and still earned a resounding 90-second ovation from the home crowd.

After the game against his former team, McCutchen took to Instagram to thank the city of Pittsburgh for a moment he will never forget:

"It shows you what this fan base is all about," McCutchen told Kevin Gorman of TribLive. "They're ride or die, and they've been riding with me and it seems like they're going to keep riding with me."

McCutchen spent the first nine seasons of his career as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning the National League MVP in 2013. However, as the Pirates pivoted toward rebuild this winter, they traded the outfielder to the San Francisco Giants.

The four-time silver slugger was particularly appreciative of his former teammate and Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli, who vacated the area so McCutchen could have his moment as he approached the plate.

"Cervelli did a good job, just giving me that moment, giving me the time. I told him I was ready to go but he shook his head no, so I was able to step back and continue to be in the moment. ... He gave it to me and I appreciated it. That is something you don't want to rush through."

McCutchen went 1-for-5 in his return to Pittsburgh, batting in the two-hole. The Pirates and Giants have two contests remaining in their three-game weekend series.