Pete Crow-Armstrong's historic 2026 season with the Cubs

Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made history during the 2026 season, becoming the first Cubs player to hit 40 or more home runs and steal 40 or more bases in a single season. He achieved the feat when he stole a base against the Miami Marlins in the Cubs’ final regular season home game at Wrigley Field.

Crow-Armstrong finished the season with 45 home runs and 41 stolen bases, making him the seventh player in MLB history to join the 40-40 club. His 45 home runs tied him for the Major League lead, making him the first Cubs player to lead the league in home runs since Sammy Sosa hit 50 in the 2000 season.

He also led Major League Baseball in total bases with 357, becoming the first Cubs player to lead the league in that category since Derrek Lee did so in 2005. He is also the first Cubs player to lead the National League in OPS since Lee did so in that season. Finally, he led Major League Baseball in runs scored, becoming the first Cubs player to top that list in 25 years.

Crow-Armstrong’s 9.8 bWAR was the fourth-best of any Cubs player in a single season, according to Baseball Reference. The Athletic reported his fWAR at 10.6.

He won a Gold Glove award as the National League’s best defensive center fielder and the Platinum Glove as the best defender in the National League. He also received the Hank Aaron Award, given to the best all-around offensive player in each league. He is the third Cubs player to win that award since it was unveiled in 1999, joining Bryant and Sosa in that group.

The winner of the 2026 National League MVP award will be unveiled Thursday night by Major League Baseball. The Athletic reported that Crow-Armstrong is expected to be named National League MVP on Thursday night when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America announces the results from its year-end voting. If he wins, he would become the first Cubs player to win that award since Bryant did so in the 2016 season.

Crow-Armstrong agreed to a six-year, $115 million contract extension before Opening Day. He is listed at 6-foot, 184 pounds.

The Cubs were swept by the San Diego Padres in the wild-card round after two games at Petco Park. Crow-Armstrong went 0-for-7 with four strikeouts and a walk in the postseason.

Sources

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