Counsell in Awe of Crow-Armstrong's 'Monster Night,' Foresees Legendary Status

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell described Pete Crow-Armstrong's recent performance against the Atlanta Braves as a career-defining moment, suggesting that the young star's season will be etched into baseball lore.

During the Cubs' 8-4 victory on Wednesday night, Crow-Armstrong recorded his seventh multi-home-run game of the season. This latest display of power, speed, and defensive prowess has captivated Counsell.

"When he hit the second homer, Alex Bregman was standing next to me," Counsell said, according to MLB.com. "I said, ‘Alex, we don’t get to see things like this.’ You spend your whole life in baseball, and you just don’t see this happen on a baseball field. You’re grateful to be a part of it."

The 24-year-old Crow-Armstrong has been a standout player in Major League Baseball this season, showcasing consistent performance at the plate, speed on the basepaths, and remarkable range in center field. His first home run of the game came in the third inning, igniting the crowd at Wrigley Field. The second, a towering blast in the seventh inning, came amidst chants of "MVP" from the home fans.

"You’re grateful to see things like this," Counsell continued. "And you’re grateful that the fans get to see a season like this, because they're going to talk about it. They're going to tell their kids about it. They're going to tell their grandkids about seasons like this."

This particular two-homer performance pushed Crow-Armstrong's season total to 44 home runs, surpassing Cubs legend Billy Williams for the most by a left-handed hitter in franchise history. He also added a triple in the game, bringing his season total to 81 extra-base hits, another single-season franchise record.

Crow-Armstrong's ability to achieve multiple total base games is also notable. The game against the Braves marked the 10th time in his career he has recorded at least 10 total bases, a feat unmatched by any other player before the age of 25 since at least 1900.

These achievements have positioned Crow-Armstrong as a strong contender for the National League MVP award. Counsell's unusually emotional praise suggests a growing recognition of Crow-Armstrong's historic season, which could influence MVP voters.