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Pete Crow-Armstrong lives up to villain reputation as Dodgers fans let him hear it 

Setting the table to complete a come-from-behind win? That's walking the walk.
Jake Misener
Jake Misener

Cubbies Crib

Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Look, if you're going to talk the talk in the winter, you'd better back it up come gameday. And that's exactly what Chicago Cubs superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong did on Friday night, scoring two runs and getting things started in the ninth as the team completed its come-from-behind win over the reigning World Series champs.

He didn't shy away from his offseason comments that enraged Dodgers fans ahead of this weekend's series in LA, either, doubling down on his love of Cubs fans and making it clear he has nothing but respect for the players in Dave Roberts' dugout. Regardless, fans showered him with boos throughout the night, cementing his place as a villain with supporters of the back-to-back champs.

“I wanted to make sure that the people on the other side of the field who I really respect knew where I was coming from, and that it had nothing to do with the people on the field,” Crow-Armstrong told reporters Friday pregame. “I wanted to make sure that nobody took it in that way, that I was going at the Dodgers ... Was I poking fun at Dodgers fans? Absolutely.”

Pete Crow-Armstrong gives Cubs fans love before win over the Dodgers

PCA did a little bit of everything in the victory, but the fact he was along for the ride when Dansby Swanson launched a two-run shot in the top of the ninth off Tanner Scott felt almost poetic given the fact Dodgers fans - and even the team's social media account - came at him after he punched out in his first at-bat.

Cubs fans are no doubt aware it was against the Dodgers last spring that Crow-Armstrong launched his way into superstardom - and he surely hasn't forgotten, either. The Gold Glove outfielder embraced the fanbase that's loved him from day 1, even before he embarked on his breakout All-Star campaign that eventually led to his signing a six-year, $115 million extension with Chicago.

“It wasn’t the hottest start to my career, but I got loved the same way that I do today,” Crow-Armstrong said. “And even right now, when it’s been tough on me results-wise, all I hear running out to the field is, ‘Hey, we love you. We got you. The city loves you. You’re the best.”

Jake Misener

Jake Misener

For more than a decade, Jake has been a staple in FanSided MLB - leading the Cubbies Crib team for most of that time.When he's not in the bleachers at Wrigley Field, he can be found covering all things Cubs - including the latest hot stove rumors, roster breakdowns and statistical analyses. Inducted into the FanSided Hall of Fame in 2018, Jake has 15+ years of sports journalism and blogging experience - and is now focused on teaching his daughter the ways of Cubs fandom.