Pete Crow-Armstrong: The New Face of Cubs-Cardinals Rivalry

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ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals have a longstanding rivalry filled with memorable characters. Pete Crow-Armstrong has quickly joined the ranks. St. Louis fans harbor an intense dislike for Crow-Armstrong, which surpasses their typical disdain for Cubs players. His appearance in the recent three-game series at Busch Stadium ignited strong reactions.

When Crow-Armstrong approached the plate in the eighth inning on Saturday, fans chanted ‘overrated.’ In response, he launched a 444-foot home run into the section dubbed ‘Tarps Off,’ sealing the moment with a bat flip. Cubs manager Craig Counsell remarked, ‘It’s hard to embarrass a full group of people,’ but acknowledged that Crow-Armstrong did precisely that.

Manager Counsell said, “Pete likes the emotional part of the game, and it’s good for him.”

Crow-Armstrong can expect to be a fan target each time he plays in St. Louis, a situation Cubs fans embrace. Anthony Rizzo, serving as an analyst for NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Baseball,’ recalled Kris Bryant as a comparable figure. Bryant’s casual remark about St. Louis being ‘boring’ led to consistent booing from fans. Even Bryant’s teammates joined in on the fun.

In the past, players faced similar roles. Cubs’ Alex Bregman, belonging to the sign-stealing Houston Astros, receives boos for his past actions. He views such moments as opportunities. ‘Go mode,’ he explains, referring to how such reactions energize his gameplay.

Crow-Armstrong’s impact echoes famous moments from the rivalry, like Carlos Zambrano’s confrontations with Jim Edmonds. Rizzo recalls being hit by a pitch by Cardinals pitcher Matt Belisle in a retaliatory move during a 2015 game, which sparked a rant from Cubs manager Joe Maddon.

The fiery history includes figures like Tony La Russa and Dusty Baker, who famously exchanged profanities during a 2003 game. Baker’s nonchalant confidence turned him into a villain in St. Louis, unfazed by the crowd’s opinions.

Counsell emphasizes Crow-Armstrong’s authenticity, noting it’s crucial for players to embrace their natural demeanor. Crow-Armstrong appreciates the game’s emotional aspects, and while not always well-received, it reflects who he is on the field.