It’s official.

Andrew McCutchen is returning to the Pirates — not that he ever left Pittsburgh.

That’s the best part about this story. Not only did McCutchen fuel the surge that enabled the franchse to end 20 consecutive years of losing with three consecutive playoff appearances, he established roots here.

He married a woman from DuBois, bought a home in the Pittsburgh area and never left despite playing for the Giants, Yankees, Phillies amd Brewers over the past few years. McCutchen approached the Pirates about coming back, not the other way around.

This is a notable, veteran major leaguer who wants to be here.

Naysayers will claim he’s washed up, his better years are behind him. This is just a publicity stunt to put more people in the seats at PNC Park.

Of course, it will do the latter. McCutchen is probably the most beloved Pirate of the last 30 years. Of course, his better years are behind him. The man is 36 years old, after all.

Washed up? I don’t think we can go that far.

The New York Mets made a hard push for McCutchen this off-season. So did the Minnesota Twins. Those are two teams hoping to make postseason play in 2023. I hardly think they would be interested in a washed-up player.

McCutchen hit 17 homers and collected 69 RBI for Milwaukee last season. He only hit .237 and he’s not likely to carry the high batting average he once did. But he’s still a run-producer. Those 69 RBI would have led the Pirates last year.

Thar’s a sad fact, indeed, but facts are facts.

While he is no longer a center fielder, McCutchen can still play either corner outfield position. He can be a designated hitter as well. He played in 134 games for Milwaukee last year, so the durability is still there.

And he’s not coming here to lose.

No, the Pirates are not National League Central Division contenders. Yes, they are unlikely to finish above .500. That doesn’t mean McCutchen will take either of those things for granted.

His work ethic on the field, the passion with which he plays the game, and his past success with the Pirates, almost have to rub off on the younger players on the team. He is a leader simply by how he conducts himself on the field.

McCutchen’s return has people talking about the Pirates in January. While many fans remain jilted, holding firm in their anti-Nutting stance and refusing to spend a dime on a ticket to attend a game, many others are already talking about going to a few more games this season.

And Opening Day will be a guaranteed sellout now.

McCutchen is one of only four players to hit 200 home runs with the club. He is one of only nine active major leaguers with 1,000 career RBI.

His signing has re-energized baseball in Pittsburgh ... for now, at least.

And that’s a good thing.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle