If you don’t think Andrew McCutchen is a genuine person, check out his farewell to Pittsburgh letter.

It’s all over social media, not hard to find at all.

Professional athletes have taken out ads in media outlets before upon being traded, thanking the city from which they were departing. That’s really nothing new.

But the length and quality of letter McCutchen penned to Pittsburgh Pirate fans is unique. It clearly came from the heart and the words are clearly his own.

This is a guy who never played travel baseball until his teen years because his family couldn’t afford it. It was caring youth coaches who eventually paid the freight and got McCutchen noticed by scouts.

McCutchen never forgot that. And he’ll never forget Pittsburgh.

Looking back, he appreciates his final home game as a Pirate — Sept. 27 against Baltimore. He wrote about it.

They gave me the ovation of my life. There was nothing that I could do but tip my cap ... until there was nothing left for me but to acknowledge it and embrace it, and for a moment, even savor it.

McCutchen’s goal was to a Pittsburgh Pirate for life. Now, of course, that’s not going to happen.

I’m just thinking about the Derek Jeter’s , the Cal Ripken’s, the guys I grew up admiring the most in baseball, and how much I’ve always wanted to be like them. I always wanted to be my own version of them, for this franchise, for this city.

I thought I might have had a chance, a real chance, to wear one cap for all of my baseball life.

McCutchen referred to the Pirates as the only company he’s ever worked for in his adult life. He talked about how he became a team leader, MVP, husband and dad while he was here.

I don’t think I’ll ever not be Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirate. It’s just a trade. It’s not an eraser to my time as a Pirate. ... I’m never leaving Pittsburgh. It’s home. It will always be home.

The guy already knows the next time he will be playing a major league game at PNC Park. The Giants come here in May.

I’ll be the guy who looks familiar, walking around like he knows the place, with a few fresh tears and a big ol’ smile — with San Francisco on his shirt and Pittsburgh in his heart.

This is not to say McCutchen isn’t looking forward to starting anew in California. He knows he’s with a team looking to contend and he will not be the face of the franchise — just another quality bat in a quality lineup.

The Pirates made a business decision in trading McCutchen. The Pittsburgh franchise and its fan base will move on, as will the player.

Hopefully, all will succeed.

But these professional athletes aren’t robots. They are not unfeeling, greedy guys who play their trade for the highest bidder.

Sometimes, they feel like they found a home.

McCutchen felt that way. If this was the 1960’s or 70’s, he’d still be here.

Time changes everything.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle