'I want the world to know I love you': Star baseball player Andrew McCutchen publicly proposes to girlfriend on the Ellen show
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Confident his girlfriend would say 'yes', major league baseball star Andrew McCutchen decided to pop the big question on the Ellen show yesterday.
The 27-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates player, who has been dating marketing associate Maria Hanslovan for four years, gestured her down from the studio audience and gave her a heartfelt speech before dropping to one knee.
'I didn’t do any of this for the publicity, I didn’t do any of this for the recognition,' he said, his voice wavering. 'I did this to show you that if I could tell the whole world how much I love you, I would do that.'
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Bold move: Star baseball player Andrew McCutchen, decided to pop the big question to his girlfriend, Maria Hanslovan, on the Ellen show yesterday
The sportsman added that he had envisioned proposing from the 'highest mountain in the world' with his voice being 'as loud
as a lion’s roar - times a billion' so everyone could hear.
But realizing the logistical factors involved with a trip to Everest Mr McCutchen opted for the Ellen show as his place of proposal instead.
Sticking to a sports theme, Mr McCutchen started out by showing viewers a video montage drawing parallels between his relationship with 25-year-old Miss Hanslovan and baseball.
'When I hit a home run it’s a
home run, but there’s a bigger picture behind it,' he said over clips of him playing for the Pirates.
Spouses-to-be: After publicly professing his love to Miss Hanslovan, Mr McCutchen knelt down and produced a dazzling diamond ring, which earned him a 'yes'
Blinding! Miss Hanslovan proudly displayed her dazzling diamond ring
'Going to first, going to second, going to third and going home; with each base that I touch, it means a year.'
Then, as images of him and Miss Hanslovan started playing, he continued: 'In the beginning it
was definitely fun, getting to know each other, staying up late at
night, talking on the phone for four hours.'
'Going into the second year we hit some bumps in the road but we overcame those. We continue to get stronger'
'Going into the second year we hit some bumps in the road but we overcame those. We continue to get stronger and not only stronger with each other but with God.'
After showing the video and professing his love to Miss Hanslovan, Mr McCutchen knelt down and produced a dazzling diamond ring.
'Will you marry me?' he asked, to which his delighted girlfriend replied 'yes'.
Chat show host Ellen DeGeneres then presented the loved-up spouses-to-be with a top hat and wedding veil with the Pirates logo on the front and Mr McCutchen's No. 22 on the back.
Perfect match: Miss Hanslovan met Mr McCutchen while working for the Pittsburgh Pirates' pre and in-game entertainment troupe during college
Top sportsman: Mr McCutchen is a center fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates and made his major league debut in 2009 - this year he won the 2013 National League Most Valuable Player award
Hinting that he had a surprise in store, Mr McCutchen announced on Facebook prior to his TV appearance: 'Make sure to check out The Ellen DeGeneres Show tomorrow . . . I have a big announcement!'
He then posted another message late last night, reading: 'These past couple days have been a dream come true. Thank God for this beautiful angel that you have blessed me with. I Love You Maria Hanslovan.'
The pretty brunette met Mr McCutchen while working for the Pittsburgh Pirates' pre and in-game entertainment troupe during college.
Her father told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that they are 'very, very happy couple' and both 'wonderful' people. He added that he is unaware if a date for their nuptials has been set.
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Sarah, Nepal, 11 hours ago
Lovely looking couple...best of luck.