PCA Defining New Era of Cubs Baseball
From the first time the Chicago baseball team once known as the White Stockings took the field in 1876 to now, there’s only been one Pete Crow-Armstrong. Whether you’re here because you’re a Cubs fan or because you are hate-reading, you’ve certainly come across myriad pieces telling of PCA brilliance. This is deservedly so, but the superstar center fielder is so much more than impressive; he’s defined an entire era of Chicago baseball.
A dismal series opposite Milwaukee notwithstanding, Crow-Armstrong has seized a stranglehold on the race for National League MVP. As of the time of this writing, he’s batting .280 with 38 home runs, 102 runs scored, 91 RBI, and an MLB-leading 9.3 fWAR. Jaw-dropping feats like hitting five home runs in two games against the Reds have him taking up entire segments on national talk shows. He should probably just have a show dedicated solely to him at this point.
Chicago has stumbled out of the gate in September, allowing the scorching-hot Phillies to overtake what had long been their top Wild Card spot to lose. But now that they’ve lost it, the season’s home stretch has morphed into a test of resolve. Should the Cubs ultimately clinch their second consecutive playoff berth, it must be their catalyst, Crow-Armstrong, leading the way. The 24-year-old outfielder, while heated on the field of battle, possesses a rare maturity and understanding of each moment, which makes him stand out above just about everyone else in the game of baseball. His bat flips have flipped the script of what Chicagoans now believe is possible on the North Side.
In celebration of the franchise’s 150th year, the organization has welcomed back scores of its most prominent legends. Heroes like Anthony Rizzo, Andre Dawson, Billy Williams, and Fergie Jenkins forged the identity of this club that Crow-Armstrong is now responsible for maintaining. Were the squad to fall short of its goals this season, PCA would be charged with putting it all into perspective. As disappointing as that would be on a number of levels, having a burgeoning icon on the roster provides ample hope for the future.
Challenging though it may be to accept any fate other than a deep postseason run, we ought to take time to savor and appreciate what Crow-Armstrong has accomplished for the city. This is his era of baseball in Wrigleyville.
