Maybe it’s a triple, which has a reputation as the most exciting play in baseball.
Or maybe it’s a stolen base. Or a running catch in center field. Or a bunt.
Whatever it is, the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong seems to make it extra-exciting.
That’s the nature of Crow-Armstrong, who recently inspired a bobblehead giveaway with flames at his feet and a removable batting helmet, just to hammer home how fast the guy can move.
The Cubs have received contributions from up and down the batting order as they’ve surged through the opening weeks of the season, a necessity to rank as the highest-scoring offense in the majors.
Though everyone has been involved, it seems Crow-Armstrong, the No. 7 hitter, has been right in the middle of everything the No. 1 offense has done.
‘‘Pete’s ability is to affect all facets of a game,’’ manager Craig Counsell said before the Cubs’ 3-1, 10-inning loss Sunday to the Phillies. ‘‘I don’t think there’s many players right now that can do it to the level that Pete does. And that’s why he’s so much fun to watch.’’
Indeed, fans are having a blast watching Crow-Armstrong do it all, chanting his name when he comes to the plate and roaring when he puts on a show.
There was perhaps no better example of that than his two-night star turn last week against the Dodgers, when Crow-Armstrong went 6-for-9 with two home runs, a double, seven RBI, three runs scored and a couple of stolen bases.
He added another hit, run scored and RBI — plus two more stolen bases — Friday against the Phillies. He was hitless but made a stellar running catch in center Saturday, then drove in the Cubs’ only run with a double in the second inning Sunday.
‘‘He’s a game-changer in all areas of the game,’’ infielder Jon Berti told the Sun-Times on Sunday. ‘‘Offensively, he’s got some power, obviously. He runs the bases extraordinarily well, and he puts pressure on the defense. Defensively, he makes such great catches out in center and covers a lot of ground out there.
‘‘It ignites a lot of energy into this clubhouse.’’
Crow-Armstrong always had these tools, and Cubs fans saw flashes of them in the 136 big-league games he had played coming into this season. That aforementioned bobblehead commemorated his inside-the-park homer in August.
In 2025, however, his production has been on another level. In his first 28 games, he hit five homers, stole a National League-leading 12 bases and walked six times. He had 10 homers, 27 steals and 21 walks in 123 games last season.
Crow-Armstrong’s .851 OPS, the fourth-best among qualified hitters in the red-hot Cubs’ lineup, ranked 32nd in the majors entering Sunday.
Considering how he’s hitting, has there been any thought of moving him up from his No. 7 spot in the lineup?
‘‘Our lineup is executing at a real high level right now,’’ Counsell said Friday. ‘‘The way it’s structured, who’s around you determines who your matchups are later in the game. We’ve got Pete kind of insulated, so he’s going to get a lot of right-handers, and he’s been really performing against right-handed pitching.
‘‘I think we’re in a good spot with it right now. It’s more important who plays than the order [they’re in]. They’re producing, so no intention [of changing it up] right now.’’
The Cubs are quick to say there’s a lot of season left. Offensive production has a habit of ebbing and flowing during MLB’s six-month marathon.
The Cubs’ bats could cool. So could Crow-Armstrong’s. But with his ability to contribute a thrilling, game-altering play with his feet or his glove, even if the bat should quiet, Crow-Armstrong will be firing up the crowd and his teammates all summer.
‘‘He’s a really entertaining baseball player,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘The fans will tell you.’’
[ajax_load_more]