Pete Crow-Armstrong’s regular season ended with the Cubs headed for October, a 40-homer left-handed center fielder in the MVP conversation and a place beside Billy Williams in the franchise record book. For all the production, Crow-Armstrong kept returning to the same things: the daily choices at the plate, the people around him and the chance to play for a city that has fully taken him in.
Season markers
| Moment | Figure | What it meant |
|---|---|---|
| Single-game home run outburst | 3 HR | Delivered after Sammy Sosa challenged him to do it |
| Left-handed Cubs home run milestone | 40 HR | Joined Billy Williams as the only lefty hitters in club history to reach it |
| Club celebration | 150th anniversary | Former Cubs stars visited the batting cages during the season |
The image that sticks is from the batting cage, where Cubs history drifted into the current clubhouse. Alfonso Soriano, a player Crow-Armstrong admired growing up, was there. So was Sosa, Chicago’s all-time home run leader. Crow-Armstrong described the scene as if old friends had come back to the place where they grew up, bringing life to the pregame routine.
Sosa gave the center fielder a simple assignment: hit three homers that afternoon. Crow-Armstrong did exactly that. It fit a season full of leadoff blasts, stolen bases, records and a postseason berth, with champagne eventually joining the routine.
A hitter’s adjustment
Crow-Armstrong said his offensive breakthrough was not tied to one frozen batting stance, even though his setup has evolved through the season. The more meaningful turning point, he said, came in a conversation with Alex Bregman about pitch selection.
That discussion helped fuel a strong run through May and June, and Crow-Armstrong carried the approach through the rest of the year. He sees the decision at the plate in direct terms: swing or take. He knows pitchers will fool him at times, but he believes the clearer approach has put him in better position against pitches he should drive.
The blend of his movement in the box and a more disciplined target zone, he said, has made the difference. It has also given him a practical answer when a slump arrives: reset the decision-making rather than chase a sweeping overhaul.
Chicago has become home
Crow-Armstrong has embraced the Cubs because he feels the city and its fans have embraced him first. He sees how readily Wrigley Field can energize anyone, even visiting players, and he wants to be part of a team that gives Chicago something to celebrate.
That connection extends beyond baseball. His friendship with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has become a point of excitement across the city. Crow-Armstrong said the two wanted to help create something distinctive, even while understanding that the enthusiasm only lasts if both of them perform.
They have connected over their preparation, perspectives and the way they approach their respective jobs. Crow-Armstrong also likes the possibility of Chicago’s sporting momentum carrying from the baseball calendar into football season without fans having to wait long for another successful team.
Family in the stands
His parents’ move to Chicago has made the season easier on everyone. His father no longer has to make constant trips, can attend night games during the week and is around on weekends. The move has also allowed him to return to teaching and theater, two pursuits he enjoys.
For Crow-Armstrong, there is another layer to his father watching at Wrigley. His dad has been a Cubs fan his whole life, and Crow-Armstrong himself grew up rooting for the club. His father generally keeps his emotions guarded, though Crow-Armstrong recalled a tender moment around his birthday.
He said he would play with the same purpose for his family wherever his career took him. Still, there is something unusually meaningful about his father being able to continue a lifelong Cubs allegiance by watching his son take the field in the same uniform.
Williams, history and the MVP conversation
Sharing the 40-homer left-handed milestone with Williams carries special weight for Crow-Armstrong. He has gotten to know the Cubs great and called him one of the coolest people he has met. Williams’ stature within the organization makes the achievement more than a statistical footnote.
As for the MVP talk, Crow-Armstrong is treating it as recognition of the process rather than an accomplishment already secured. He said he does not put all his faith in numbers, but he can see his own improvement clearly. The most satisfying part, he said, has been recognizing the patience he showed himself when the season did not always go smoothly.
