Pete Crow-Armstrong just proved he might be the Cubs’ next clubhouse leader

The second half of the MLB season was far from what anyone expected for Pete Crow-Armstrong. After a lengthy slump turned him from an MVP candidate to all but a platoon player, Crow-Armstrong continued to struggle in the playoffs, going 0-6 with five strikeouts in games one and two.

With the Cubs on the brink of elimination against the San Diego Padres, Crow-Armstrong stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning. Facing off against former-Cub Yu Darvish, still a formidable foe at age 39, PCA roped a line drive into the gap in left field to drive in the game’s first run.

“It doesn’t matter how you get it done,” Crow-Armstrong said after the game. “It was ugly for those first two games, but I felt like I did my job in the field in Game 1 and Game 2. I really think to simplify for myself, that’s what I came out here to do, was just know that I can hold center field down, know that I can make an impact on the other side of the baseball. And if I hit, I hit, and that’s just a bonus.”

Crow-Armstrong didn’t stop, leading the team with three hits in a breakout 3-4 performance. Yet what will live the longest in the minds of Cubs fans was the final out, caught by Crow-Armstrong, to clinch the first playoff series win since 2017. 

As the team rushed the field to celebrate, Crow-Armstrong turned straight to the bleachers, with the 23-year-old soaking it all in.

“I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t thinking about being able to turn around and say something to those people out there,” said Crow-Armstrong. “We owe everything to those people coming out and showing up every day. They’re just as much a part of this as the people in this clubhouse. I’m definitely somebody that feeds off of my bleacher creatures.”

Throughout his struggles, Cubs fans have seen the bat slams and the angry walks to the dugout, but what they have not seen are the excuses. The young outfielder continued to give 110% in the field, even if the bat wasn’t there, doing whatever he could to help his team win the ballgame.

Cubs may have found their new emotional heartbeat in Pete Crow-Armstrong

“Baseball is hard,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I showed you all that. We’ve all showed you that. That’s no secret. These are the moments we work for, but we also work to continue playing in this postseason.”

Crow-Armstrong has endeared himself to the Wrigley faithful throughout the season with his passion and his play. His play today did more than just shatter a slump. As the Cubs look to continue their run through the playoffs, Crow-Armstrong proved he can be a leader of this team for many years to come.

More Cubs News from Cubbies Crib