Andrew McCutchen's 'Furries' tweet, explained: Why Pirates outfielder celebrates Anthrocon with annual message

Edward Sutelan

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Andrew McCutchen's 'Furries' tweet, explained: Why Pirates outfielder celebrates Anthrocon with annual message image

Athlete's X (formerly Twitter) accounts are often a random collection of thoughts and musings. Andrew McCutchen certainly contributes to that, but each June he comes back with the same message. 

McCutchen tweeted "FURRIES" late Wednesday, with nothing else in the message. There was no follow-up and nothing preceding the message.

For those unfamiliar with McCutchen's annual tradition, it might seem a bit strange to tweet out just the one word: "Furries." But there is an explanation as to why he sends out this message.

Here's what you need to know.

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Andrew McCutchen 'Furries' tweet, explained

McCutchen has tweeted out the same word several times in past years, and there's a reason behind the "Furries" message.

McCutchen sends out the message when Anthrocon, one of the world's largest furry conventions, comes to Pittsburgh each year, according to MLB.com.

"The power of the furries," McCutchen said, according to MLB.com. "The power of Anthrocon. Something about it, I guess. … Can't explain it, man. It's awesome. The weekend's not over. Keep it going."

There has been something about the arrival of Anthrocon that coincides with hotter hitting out of McCutchen. Prior to Anthrocon in 2023, McCutchen had posted an eye-popping .419/.479/.742 slash with three home runs in 73 plate appearances at PNC Park when the convention was in town, per Foolish Baseball via MLB.com.

McCutchen explained he knows that his numbers stand out during Anthrocon, calling it "ridiculous" that someone "took time out of their day" to find out the stats.

"The fact they took time out of their lives to come up with that is unreal," McCutchen said, per MLB.com. "It carries some weight, I guess."

What are 'furries'?

"Furries" are people that have interest in anthropomorphized animals (animals with human features), according to MLB.com. The Anthrocon convention is where members of the "furry" community gather to dress up as their anthropomorphized "fursona."

The furries have certainly embraced McCutchen and his annual message, with one furry going to the 2024 convention wearing a McCutchen jersey.

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.