Rivalry has always been intense between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals, with various players being cast as villains in the saga. Pete Crow-Armstrong is the latest to wear this label. St. Louis fans, known for their disliking of Cubs players, have taken a strong aversion to Crow-Armstrong, who faced their chants in a recent series at Busch Stadium.
Over a three-game series, Cardinals fans voiced their belief that Crow-Armstrong is ‘overrated.’ They expressed this through repetitive chants, especially notable when Crow-Armstrong took to the plate during Saturday’s eighth inning. Responding in grand fashion, he launched a 444-foot home run into a highly vocal section of right-field bleachers, recently dubbed ‘Tarps Off.’ He celebrated the moment with a bat flip and gestures, communicating his awareness of the fan sentiments.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell remarked, ‘It’s hard to embarrass a full group of people.’ Yet, Crow-Armstrong managed to do just that. A young spectator who caught the ball even failed to throw it back onto the field. Crow-Armstrong capitalized on the opportunity, leaving a lasting impression on the Cardinals fans and securing a notable win for the Cubs.
Former Cubs player Anthony Rizzo, now an analyst for NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Baseball,’ drew parallels between Crow-Armstrong and Kris Bryant. Bryant, known for his offhand comment about St. Louis being ‘boring,’ faced boos during games at Busch Stadium post-remark. Unlike Crow-Armstrong, Bryant never engaged in showy celebrations or retorts. Yet, his comment lingered, with fans continuing to remind him of it during his games.
‘It’s absolutely easy to feed off fan abuse,’ Crow-Armstrong stated on Saturday. Rizzo described his reaction as a perfect response: connecting with the booing fans through a well-timed home run. Fan rivalries offer a unique dynamic, giving players like Crow-Armstrong the chance to embrace the energy of the moment.
Instances of athletes thriving amidst hostility are not rare. Dennis Rodman and Alex Bregman have similarly channeled fan criticism into motivation. Bregman, associated with the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, frequently encounters boos. However, he embraces it as crucial to the spirit of the game and revels in the competitiveness it brings.
Looking back, figures like Carlos Zambrano and Dusty Baker have embodied the villain role for the Cubs in this rivalry. As anticipated, Crow-Armstrong is likely to elicit strong reactions moving forward. Cubs manager Craig Counsell and Anthony Rizzo both recognize the significance of such dynamics in adding fun and vigor to the competition.
Manager Craig Counsell believes players must remain true to themselves. Crow-Armstrong, often letting his emotions guide him, exemplifies this belief. His celebration might not always be in everyone’s favor, but it reflects his personality and adds to the vitality of the game.