Pat McAfee’s Big Night Aht event in Pittsburgh celebrated both him and the Steel City’s icons. By the end of the evening, McAfee had brought out some of the biggest names in Pittsburgh sports, including longtime Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, various Pittsburgh Penguins like Sidney Crosby, and Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. However, one notable sports icon missing from the festivities was Andrew McCutchen. The Pirates outfielder, who spent nine seasons with the franchise and is now in his second stint, is a crucial figure in Pittsburgh sports history. Having won the NL MVP in 2013 and ranking among the top ten in nearly every hitting category for the team, his absence was felt. A fan on X reached out to ask why he wasn’t at the Big Night Aht, and McCutchen responded, stating simply that he wasn’t invited.
Didn’t get invited https://t.co/QctM5Qimn7
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) April 10, 2025
This revelation didn’t sit well with some Pirates, and it seems word reached McAfee. The former NFL punter and College GameDay analyst responded late Friday, although it appears he may have misunderstood the situation. He tweeted, “What’s up @TheCutch22? There was an entire suite given, by me, to the Pirates for their players to use at Big Night AHT… I thought that was the right play. I think it was for the guys that asked to go? Would’ve loved to have you there… NEXT TIME hopefully.”
What’s up @TheCUTCH22?
There was an entire suite given, by me, to the Pirates for their players to use at Big Night AHT.. I thought that was the right play.
I think it was for the guys that asked to go?
Would’ve loved to have you there… NEXT TIME hopefully pic.twitter.com/gYEGgrWhCY
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 12, 2025
McAfee seemed to believe that McCutchen wanted to attend the event simply as a spectator. However, it appears the expectation was that he would join Skenes and the other Pittsburgh sports luminaries on stage.
