Latest news with #PeteCrowArmstrong
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB All-Star Game: Pete Crow-Armstrong, baseball's most electrifying newcomer, remains calm and comfortable even when the lights are brightest
ATLANTA — As the Cubs' center fielder jogged out to his position on July 3, he couldn't help but notice the 19 shirtless fans screaming his name. Just above the iconic Wrigley Field ivy, a chain of high schoolers from suburban Chicago roared in response to the arrival of their favorite player. They also came with a silent, albeit even more unmistakable message. Emblazoned on their chests in blue paint: PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG. Seventeen letters on seventeen canvases. One kid had an unpainted front to indicate the space between PETE and CROW. The hyphen made it 19. Advertisement According to Cubs sideline reporter Taylor McGregor, the pals passionately argued over who got to be the dash. After much negotiation, the hyphen was awarded to the fastest member of the group, a youngster identified only as 'Ribs.' During their interview, as a routine fly ball landed lazily in Crow-Armstrong's glove, his cheering section erupted: 'PETE, PETE, PETE.' Crow-Armstrong, cool as an Icelandic cucumber, nodded in acknowledgement before sauntering back to his position. The absurd spectacle was yet another memorable moment in what has been an emphatic breakout season for the 23-year-old. As the Cubs make a strong push toward their first postseason appearance since 2020, Crow-Armstrong has emerged as a main character — crucial to the team's imposing offense, its run-prevention unit and the overall reinvigorated atmosphere at the national landmark on the north side of Chicago. On a team full of notable characters and productive players, he's the reason you turn on the television. Advertisement In 95 games, PCA has clubbed 25 home runs and swiped 27 bags, becoming only the third player in MLB history with 25/25 before the All-Star break. In the field, he has been even more exhilarating, posting the best defensive metrics of any big-league outfielder. Altogether, Crow-Armstrong has been worth 4.9 FanGraphs WAR. By that metric, only Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh have been more valuable in 2025. But Crow-Armstrong is much, much more than his statistical output. His burgeoning superstardom is equally a product of his magnetic personality. PCA is the epitome of California cool with a dollop of Gen-Z, a delightfully affable and effortlessly funny guy. He is a hand-shaker, a name-rememberer, a question-asker. He appears to float through life like he floats across a ballfield — the type of person that people want to be around. The results for this All-Star Game resoundingly affirmed his newfound popularity. Advertisement After the first round of fan voting, Crow-Armstrong led all National League outfielders with a 3,021,265 total that ranked sixth league-wide. The only players ahead of PCA were Judge, Raleigh and a trio of Los Angeles Dodgers (Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith and Freddie Freeman). During the All-Star festivities here in Atlanta, Crow-Armstrong has been a hot commodity. On the field at pre-Derby batting practice, he was swarmed by media, reporters, celebrities, retired players and assorted lookie-loos. He is particularly adored by youngsters, who are drawn to his energetic play and zippy vibe — your favorite player's kid's favorite player. 'Pete gets it. I think that's the coolest thing — he truly gets it,' teammate and fellow All-Star Matt Boyd said Monday. 'It's not too big for him. Like, you can tell he really embraces the stage.' And the stage embraces him. Advertisement The 23-year-old dynamo is wonderfully easy to enjoy. He bounces across the diamond like a jackrabbit on a trampoline. On the basepaths, he's a highlight reel waiting to happen, a speed demon with a high baseball IQ, ready and eager to push the envelope. At the dish, where he has taken the biggest, most important strides, Crow-Armstrong has become a legitimate offensive force and power threat. But where PCA shines brightest is in center field. His defensive exploits are thrilling. He makes the difficult look routine, the impossible look sensational. In the grass, he is a supercharged Roomba, capable of snatching nearly any batted ball that comes his way. That aspect of PCA's game is what put him on the map as an amateur, and by this point, old concerns about whether he would grow into meaningful big-league power have been entirely put to bed. Most MLB fans didn't know of Pete Crow-Armstrong before this season began. They do now. (Stefan Milic/Yahoo Sports) (Stefan Milic/Yahoo Sports) Beneath all the exuberant energy, Crow-Armstrong's ability to stay calm and grounded has been a crucial part of his ascension. That process begins the moment he wakes and continues until he steps to the plate. Advertisement 'I've done things a little bit differently this year,' he told Yahoo Sports during All-Star media availability. 'Like, I've taken more control over how I want my days to look. I think that really contributes to it as well.' Crow-Armstrong has utilized the breathwork practices of Thich Nhat Hanh, a world-renowned Vietnamese monk, known lovingly as the 'Father of Mindfulness.' Whereas most players seek to pump themselves up before and during games, Crow-Armstrong takes a different approach, opting for slow-paced playlists and walk-up songs that keep him calm. 'I bring a lot of energy in a game that doesn't always need it. So I think it's important for me to center myself,' he told Genius in April 2024 when explaining why he was walking up to Bob Marley's 'Sun is Shining.' 'He's got this perfect blend of, like, he believes in his ability, but he's got gratitude in where he's at,' Boyd observed. Advertisement That sense of gratitude, for Crow-Armstrong, appears to stem from his constant pursuit of simplicity. In many ways, his life has grown frantic, complicated, uncontrollable. But in dark script written on the outside of his right forearm, PCA has a tattoo that serves as something of a daily roadmap. 'Stay close to anything that makes you glad you are alive.' The quote is attributed to Hafez, a 14th-century Persian poet. Crow-Armstrong, like many of his counterparts, is forever seeking emotional equilibrium. Playing every day necessitates a certain even-keeled approach, an internal tranquility. That's true even for a lightning bolt such as Crow-Armstrong, who provides a reminder that infectious, unfettered joy can spring from grounded calm But then, when the lights are brightest, he comes alive. Crow-Armstrong plays like he's glad to be alive — and everyone watching him feels the same.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
4 years after trade, Javier Báez and Pete Crow-Armstrong share CF as All-Star starters
ATLANTA — The first interaction between Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez and Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong occurred June 6, 2025. They met in the ninth inning of a game at Comerica Park. Nearly four years ago, Báez and Crow-Armstrong were traded for each other at the 2021 trade deadline. Now, they're the starting center fielders for the American League and National League in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. Advertisement It's a full-circle moment for both players. "I was a Cubs fan growing up," Crow-Armstrong said, "and he was a very important part of my youth baseball life once he burst onto the scene. It was rewarding getting to chat with him in Detroit, just having a little conversation." HIS IMPACT: How is Javier Báez helping Tigers behind the scenes? With advice to younger players Detroit Tigers outfielder Javier Báez (28) throws towards first base against Chicago Cubs during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, June 6, 2025. Here's how the first meeting happened: Crow-Armstrong hit a single in the ninth inning, but he was out on a force play at second base for the second out of the inning. When the Cubs challenged, Crow-Armstrong stood next to Báez throughout the replay review. Advertisement They talked near second base. Before then, they hadn't communicated at all. "I was getting to meet him," Báez said. In Chicago, Crow-Armstrong is the best athlete to wear a Cubs uniform since Báez. Báez — nicknamed "El Mago," which is Spanish for "The Magician" — played for the Cubs from 2014-21 before getting traded to the postseason-hopeful New York Mets in July 2021, with Crow-Armstrong going to the rebuilding Cubs. He spent the remainder of 2021 with the Mets, then signed a six-year $140 million contract with the Tigers. Báez has revived his career in 2025, hitting .275 with 10 home runs and a .752 OPS in 79 games. Advertisement Meanwhile, Crow-Armstrong made his MLB debut in 2023 and emerged as an All-Star for the first time in 2025, hitting .265 with 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases in 95 games. TRUIST PARK: Tigers' Tarik Skubal at 2025 All-Star Game: 'Focus is on winning a championship' Báez, 32, and Crow-Armstrong, 23, made their debuts in different eras of Cubs baseball, but they're similar in the way they play the game: flashy defense, fearlessness on the bases and a free-swinging approach at the plate. "He told me he looked up to me," Báez said. "That's something that makes me happy. The way he plays is really, really close to what I do. I like his style of play." Advertisement Once upon a time, Crow-Armstrong dreamed of playing on the same field as Báez, but he never would've believed they'd share the same position in the All-Star Game. That's because Báez never played center field in his 12-year MLB career — until the 2025 season. "I appreciate what he's done defensively as a shortstop," Crow-Armstrong said, "and now that I can kind of relate that to myself, considering the same position, that's even cooler. He was already one of the best defenders out there, without a doubt." The Tigers moved Báez to center field from late April through late May to accommodate for the injuries in spring training to outfielders Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling and Wenceel Pérez. It was Báez's first time playing center field since his childhood. Advertisement Báez made his first appearance in center field April 6 against the Chicago White Sox, then he made his first start in center field April 21 against the San Diego Padres. He is worth plus-1 defensive runs saved in 259⅔ innings in center field. "He looks natural," Crow-Armstrong said. "That's the best way I can describe it." For All-Star voting, the fans determined the AL starters: Báez in center field, Riley Greene (Tigers) in left field and Aaron Judge (New York Yankees) in right field. The fans did the same for the NL starters: Crow-Armstrong in center field, Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves) in left field and Kyle Tucker (Cubs) in right field. Advertisement It marked Báez's third All-Star bid. He joined Pete Rose, Harmon Killebrew and Albert Pujols as the only players in MLB history to start the All-Star Game at three different positions: second base in 2018, shortstop in 2019 and center field in 2025. Getting back to the All-Star Game for the first time in six years serves as a reminder of Báez's career resurgence. He had been a below-average hitter in each of the past three seasons with the Tigers, from 2022-24. In 2025, the veteran Báez is performing like a player reborn after undergoing right hip surgery. He is doing it while competing at multiple positions, including center field. Advertisement "That was a question I had for myself," Báez said, "if I was going to come back, if my body was going to respond, if I was going to have success in the regular season. I struggled, and I worked for it. Everything is paying off. I'm feeling good right now." Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at Advertisement This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Javier Báez, Pete Crow-Armstrong share center field in All-Star Game
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Major League Baseball is spotlighting player fashion on the All-Star Game red carpet
Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong runs the bases after hitting a 2-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh (29) hits a sacrifice fly against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto walks to the dugout before a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, July 11, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) AL starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of Detroit, left, and NL starting pitcher Paul Skenes of Pittsburgh during a news conference, Monday, July 14, 2025 in Atlanta, a day before baseball's MLB All-Star Game. (AP Photo/Ron Blum) AL starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of Detroit, left, and NL starting pitcher Paul Skenes of Pittsburgh during a news conference, Monday, July 14, 2025 in Atlanta, a day before baseball's MLB All-Star Game. (AP Photo/Ron Blum) Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong runs the bases after hitting a 2-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh (29) hits a sacrifice fly against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto walks to the dugout before a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, July 11, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) AL starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of Detroit, left, and NL starting pitcher Paul Skenes of Pittsburgh during a news conference, Monday, July 14, 2025 in Atlanta, a day before baseball's MLB All-Star Game. (AP Photo/Ron Blum) When Yoshinobu Yamamoto makes his All-Star Game red carpet debut Tuesday, stylist Whitney Etoroma expects the Dodgers' pitcher to shine just as much as he does on the mound. 'I think it will be a moment,' she told The Associated Press. Advertisement The pair are making a final decision on what he'll wear, but Etoroma is pushing for a Thom Browne runway look that will 'push the envelope.' As part of a program created in 2019, MLB provided stylists for the red carpet to Yamamoto, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh, Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal and Cubs' outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong as baseball aims to raise its fashion profile and highlight the style of some of its biggest stars. Yamamoto won't pitch in the All-Star Game after throwing seven scoreless innings for the Dodgers on Sunday but will participate in the festivities leading up to it. He's in his second season in the majors after signing a 12-year, $325 million contract following a seven-year career with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan. Etoroma, who has styled scores of professional athletes, said designers have been particularly interested in Yamamoto, which she believes is because of his cool look and international appeal. Advertisement 'I'm excited because fashion actually really cares about Yoshi, which is kind of a rarity,' she said. 'I will say with other players in the past, they haven't been as excited, but with Yoshi, it's something special, something different.' Though she has 15 different looks for Yamamoto to choose from, she's hoping to steer him to the Thom Browne look because of the exclusivity of the brand. 'I've been like look, this is gonna be incredible,' she said she told him. 'If you do Thom Browne, game over, that's actually a huge level up in fashion. They don't say yes to anybody. It has to be a very specific person and so hopefully we do that. But I'm not gonna push too much (and) if not I'm happy to go with the classic look.' Whatever suit he chooses, it will be accessorized with David Yurman jewelry. Advertisement Wearing a visionary designer like Thom Browne might be a bit much for Yamamoto, who calls Nike his favorite designer. 'Being honest, I'm not that into fashion, but I appreciate (being called stylish),' he said in Japanese through a translator Monday. He did say that he's looking forward to the red carpet, but wouldn't give any hints as to what he's leaning toward wearing for the event. 'That's a secret, I'm not telling,' he said. Melanie Boppel, who recently styled Jalen Hurts and his wife Bryonna for the Met Gala, is dressing both Raleigh and Skubal for this year's red carpet. Skubal, a two-time All-Star who is starting for the American League on Tuesday night, has been working with Boppel to curate a look that will make him feel confident on the red carpet. Advertisement 'What's going to be really important are accessories,' she said. 'He really wants to tie in Detroit, since that's the team he plays for and he also wants to tie in the city of Atlanta since the All-Star game will be taking place in Atlanta. So, I hope to bring out those two ideas he has through accessories. We'll see how that pans out. It might be through his wardrobe as well." Boppel hopes the momentum gained from Tuesday's red carpet style will trickle down to create more interest among fans in what they're wearing all season like there is for basketball and football. 'The day of the red carpet, there is a lot of focus on the athletes, but it's just the longevity of style being at the forefront of the players throughout the rest of the season that's the hard part,' she said. 'There's so many games, they're traveling so it's just hard to continue that. But they do get a lot of recognition for the red carpet and All-Star and that whole weekend and I hope at some point it does continue to stick and there is consistency there.' Raleigh, who leads the majors with a career-high 38 home runs, describes his style as 'very bland,' and added: 'I'm not the style guy.' Advertisement But he is looking forward to sprucing up Tuesday night. 'I like looking good,' he said at All-Star media day. 'I think everybody does, right? You want to look good. Especially on the red carpet. I like looking professional and putting together a good fit.' The catcher said working with a stylist for the event has been great for him. 'I don't love shopping too much, so it's nice having somebody that can just throw something on, and I just can pick it and it's easy,' he said. And for someone who earned the nickname 'Big Dumper' for his generous backside, there's one must-have for him when it comes to clothes. 'As long as it stretches, I like it,' he said. ___ AP MLB:
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong is becoming a superstar thanks to talent and force of personality
NEW YORK — Late Sunday morning, about two hours before first pitch at Yankee Stadium, Pete Crow-Armstrong paused his light pregame activities and approached two young fans wearing New York gear. They were standing behind home plate, on the other side of the stanchions and detachable belts that serve as barriers. Wearing sunglasses and a blue hat backwards, the Chicago Cubs center fielder signed a few autographs, ending the interaction with a fist bump and a thumbs up. Advertisement Everywhere the Cubs travel now, Crow-Armstrong is the main attraction. With a rare combination of power and speed, he performs in a stylish way that captivates a younger audience and dazzles even coworkers who have spent decades in the business. When Chicago's players and staffers gather with their families on the field after games, they can't help but notice 'PCA.' 'Every single kid that's down there wants a picture, wants an autograph,' Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. 'He's 'The Guy.' And he's just so patient. He takes every picture and signs every autograph.' That magnetism will make Crow-Armstrong, 23, a National League starter in Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta. His meteoric rise has lifted the Cubs back into first place and electrified the big crowds at Wrigley Field. With his MVP-level performance, emotional outbursts and visible sense of joy, the Cubs now have a new face of the franchise. He's a freak. He's the fastest kid alive. Pete Crow-Armstrong turned on the JETS to score this run 💨 — MLB (@MLB) March 30, 2025 The Cubs hoped that kind of individual would emerge at some point after Hoyer executed a massive sell-off at the 2021 trade deadline, dealing away all those 2016 World Series heroes for a collection of prospects. As a parent, Hoyer even had to explain the moves to his children, who had watched Javier Báez, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, the stars at the end of a 108-year championship drought. At any given time, there are only a few baseball players on the planet who have the freakish athletic ability and natural charisma to transcend what has largely become a regional sport. Amazingly, the Cubs traded one of them to the New York Mets and wound up with an updated version of 'El Mago.' Like Báez, Crow-Armstrong possesses the flair and instincts to make the crazy plays that go viral on social media and get shown on 'SportsCenter.' Advertisement 'Early in the year, it was like, 'Oh my God, my son loves PCA so much,'' Hoyer said. 'It's everybody. Everyone says that.' Growing up as an only child in Southern California, Crow-Armstrong learned from his parents how to be adaptable and persistent. They were professional actors who gravitated toward teaching students and coaching actors. His father, Matt Armstrong, was a huge Cubs fan when he was a kid in suburban Chicago. His mother, Ashley Crow, memorably starred in the movie 'Little Big League.' In accepting the responsibilities that come with this next level of fame, he recognizes that even a simple gesture, such as taking a selfie, is meaningful. 'The younger kiddos are the ones whose memory matters in that situation,' Crow-Armstrong said. 'You'd rather have them walk away remembering the kindness that you showed them more than anything else. Those are the ones that are hopefully going to be playing the game and carrying it on for me when I'm done.' The first time Cubs manager Craig Counsell met Crow-Armstrong was around the New Year's holiday break, leading into the 2024 season. Counsell had brought his two college-age sons, Brady and Jack, to the organization's Arizona training complex. During a hitting session, Counsell noticed an immediate connection between his boys and Crow-Armstrong. In a sense, they are peers. To put Crow-Armstrong's rapid development in perspective, several of his high school teammates played with Jack Counsell this year on Northwestern University's team. 'When you think about everything that's happened for Pete at this age, my thought is to always be a little protective of that,' Counsell said. 'Because I do think he's really young, and a lot has come at him really fast. But I think he's handled a lot of it by just being himself and kind of giving himself some grace.' Advertisement Crow-Armstrong graduated from Harvard-Westlake School, a prestigious academic institution in Los Angeles that also runs a high-level baseball program. As a kid, he learned a little bit about rhythm by playing some guitar, a trombone in grade school and the ukulele: 'That was my s—.' He also enjoyed playing soccer, using his speed to blow by overmatched defenders. Sometimes, rather than bending over to pick up a baseball, he will kick it up into the air and start playing hacky sack. He simply has that 'it' factor, the way Tiger Woods could start continuously tapping and juggling a golf ball with his club and turn it into a classic commercial. Between his angles and sprint speed in center field, and the ferocious left-handed swings he takes in the batter's box, Crow-Armstrong bends expectations. 'I hate to say you want balls hit in the gap,' Counsell said with a chuckle, 'but as a fan, you kind of want to see it. You want to see him run down a ball.' PETE. CROW. ARMSTRONG. What a catch 😮 — Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 4, 2025 'Sometimes he hits it off the ground, and sometimes he hits it over his head,' Cubs reliever Ryan Pressly said, 'so I don't even know how to pitch Pete.' The first-half numbers – 25 home runs, 27 stolen bases and 71 RBIs – only tell part of the story. 'He defines what being an All-Star is,' Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner said. 'That's the way that he's performed statistically, but also the way that he engages with fans, the personality he has, the way he's impacted winning, the moments.' Cubs fans once had that mounting sense of anticipation with Sammy Sosa, the estranged slugger who returned to Wrigley Field last month for the first time in 21 years. One of the first items on Sosa's schedule that day was posing for a photo next to Crow-Armstrong in the underground clubhouse. Advertisement 'Baseball's got this pace to it,' Counsell said. 'You can miss a little bit and still be all right. When Pete's leading off an inning, or when Sammy was leading off an inning, you got to be in your seat. Especially with Pete, you got to be in your seat because it's going to happen early. 'Between innings, if you're on the concourse, I'm sure there's some conversation about that: 'Hey, they're leading off the inning, we got to get back in our seats.' They're going to get four or five shots a game. You got to make sure you're in your seat for it.' On the gray carpeted floor of Yankee Stadium's visiting clubhouse, there was an 'Atlanta 2025' duffle bag, decorated in navy blue and red and All-Star Game graphics. At his locker after Sunday's 4-1 victory, Crow-Armstrong packed up his stuff for one of the sport's signature events. For those just tuning in, the Cubs passed on Crow-Armstrong in the first round of the 2020 MLB draft. His major-league debut as a September call-up in 2023 was a disappointment that exposed his weaknesses. At last year's All-Star break, he had a .203 batting average and a .582 OPS. He did not hit his first home run this year until April 13, when he hit two in one game at Dodger Stadium and blew a kiss to his parents on 'Sunday Night Baseball.' 'Especially up here, you have no idea who you are until you see some of the worst versions of yourself,' Crow-Armstrong said. 'I definitely am better for whatever struggles I went through earlier on. And then I'm lucky. I'm grateful that self-assessment has always kind of been a strength.' The Cubs put a first-round grade on Crow-Armstrong before they chose Ed Howard with the No. 16 pick out of Chicago's Mount Carmel High School. At that time, the Cubs were readjusting their draft process as part of a broader overhaul of the baseball operations department. The COVID-19 pandemic cut short Crow-Armstrong's senior season at Harvard-Westlake, and his performance on the summer circuit after his junior season created some doubts about his offensive game. Advertisement 'It was f—ing terrible,' Crow-Armstrong said. 'I was like 0-for-32 that summer or something across the Under Armour showcase and the Perfect Game and Area Code stuff. Realistically, at that point, I had fallen out of the first round, based on any projection. I was like, 'All right, well, time to start climbing again.'' Three spots after Chicago's pick, the Mets selected Crow-Armstrong, who had made a college commitment to Vanderbilt that was topped by a signing bonus worth nearly $3.4 million. 'When the going gets tough, I find a way to lock it in,' Crow-Armstrong said. 'Back then, it was kind of tough for me to do the showcase stuff because I wasn't the dude who was going to hit a homer and have a bunch of scouts gush over the raw power. I went and did USA Baseball and then turned it all around with the bat. That's because it was meaningful baseball and I'm competitive. I was there to win.' Ultimately, that is what matters to Crow-Armstrong, whose career will be shaped by how often he plays in October. At 18 games over .500 heading into the All-Star break, and with an opportunity to make substantial improvements at the July 31 trade deadline, the Cubs can see that stage off in the distance. For all of the accolades, Crow-Armstrong repeatedly credits the teammates who offered full-throated encouragement while he was struggling. He also appreciates the organization's hitting coaches for their diligence and patience. 'Coachable' might not be the first adjective that pops into your head when you see a wildly talented guy show up in spring training with dyed blond hair accented by blue stars. But in an empty stadium or a quiet clubhouse, Crow-Armstrong is humble, and he is just getting started. 'I haven't had a full year of big-league success and production,' Crow-Armstrong said. 'But if I'm recounting my journey to the big leagues in pro ball, then I think I've always known that I'm capable of something like this. We'll revisit this at the end of the year because this game goes in any direction. I'm just happy with what I'm doing right now.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs rumors: When Chicago will make official All-Star Game announcement
The post Cubs rumors: When Chicago will make official All-Star Game announcement appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Chicago Cubs are back in the playoff conversation in the National League. With young stars Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch leading the way, Chicago should be set for a solid competitive window. To add on, the Cubs are set to host the 2027 MLB All-Star Game at Wrigley Field. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Sunday that the official announcement is coming soon. Advertisement 'The Chicago Cubs have been approved by Major League Baseball to host the 2027 All-Star Game – and will make the announcement July 30 in Chicago,' Nightengale reported. 'It will be the Cubs' first All-Star Game since 1990. The Philadelphia Phillies will host the 2026 All-Star Game, while the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles are the front-runners to host in 2028.' All of that follows the Atlanta Braves, who will host this week's festivities at Truist Park. Reports from Bruce Levine surfaced back in May about the All-Star Game returning to Wrigley Field. Now, MLB is set to make the move official. Despite having one of the iconic stadiums in sports, the Cubs have gone over 30 years without the Midsummer Classic. The Cubs are sending three players to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta. Crow-Armstrong will be the National League's starting centerfielder, and Kyle Tucker will start next to him in right. If the Cubs retain Tucker this offseason, this could very well be the starting combo in 2027. The third Cubs All-Star is starting pitcher Matthew Boyd, who no one would have predicted before the season. He had a career 4.85 ERA in 182 appearances before joining Chicago this season. In 19 starts this year, he has a 2.34 ERA with a NL-leading 10 wins. With Justin Steele out for the season, Boyd has stepped up in a big way. Advertisement The Cubs hope to have plenty of All-Stars and Home Run Derby participants in 2027, when the MLB All-Star Game returns to Wrigley Field. Related: MLB rumors: Cubs, Mariners hold best prospects GMs expected to be traded Related: Cubs trade proposal lands $70 million Pirates star
