Pete Crow-Armstrong Makes Cubs History with 6-RBI Game, Joins Elite MLB Company
Chicago, IL – In a season already filled with flashes of promise, Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a performance for the history books. On a crisp evening at Wrigley Field, the 22-year-old phenom not only powered the Cubs to victory with a 6-RBI explosion from the leadoff spot, but also cemented his name alongside some of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history.
With that remarkable game, Crow-Armstrong became the first Cubs leadoff hitter since 1976 to drive in six runs in a single contest—an extraordinary feat given the traditional expectations for leadoff hitters to set the table rather than clear the bases. But Crow-Armstrong, whose rare blend of speed and power has captured the attention of fans across the league, is redefining what it means to lead off.
In just 45 games, he has compiled 12 home runs, 13 stolen bases, and 36 RBIs, joining an exclusive group of players to achieve those numbers so early in a season. That elite list includes Barry Bonds, Lou Brock, Eric Davis, and Ken Williams—all known for their rare combination of power, speed, and game-changing ability.
“It’s surreal,” Crow-Armstrong said after the game, flashing his signature grin. “I grew up watching highlights of guys like Bonds and Eric Davis. To even be mentioned in the same sentence as them—it doesn’t feel real.”
But his numbers are very real.
The game started with a bang, as Crow-Armstrong sent a leadoff homer deep into the bleachers, immediately electrifying the Wrigley crowd. He followed that with a two-run double in the third inning, a bases-loaded single in the fifth, and capped his night with a sacrifice fly in the seventh. By the end of the game, he had driven in six runs on three hits, igniting a Cubs offense that had been inconsistent in recent weeks.
“PCA’s been a spark for us all year,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “He’s the kind of player who can change a game in so many ways—whether it’s at the plate, on the base paths, or in center field. Tonight, we saw it all come together.”
Drafted in the first round by the Mets in 2020 and later acquired by the Cubs in the Javier Báez trade, Crow-Armstrong has quickly proven he’s more than just a top prospect—he’s a rising star. His defense in center field has already drawn Gold Glove comparisons, and now, his bat is catching up in a big way.
The historic 6-RBI game puts him in company with Rick Monday, the last Cubs leadoff hitter to achieve that feat nearly 50 years ago. Monday did it in 1976—a different era of baseball, when the idea of a power-hitting leadoff man was practically unheard of.
But in today’s game, where versatility and athleticism reign supreme, Crow-Armstrong fits the mold of the modern MLB star. Like Bonds in his early Pittsburgh days or Eric Davis during his peak with the Reds, PCA’s ability to impact all facets of the game makes him a rare commodity.
“He’s fearless,” said Cubs slugger Christopher Morel. “He plays with joy, but he’s intense. You can feel the energy shift when he steps in the box or chases down a ball in the gap.”
Crow-Armstrong’s milestone also sends a clear message to the rest of the National League: the Cubs are building something special, and PCA is at the center of it. With his breakout season gaining momentum, comparisons to other two-way threats in MLB history seem increasingly appropriate—not just for the numbers, but for the electricity he brings to the game.
And perhaps most impressively, Crow-Armstrong remains grounded.
“I know I still have a lot to learn and a long way to go,” he said. “But I love this team, I love this city, and I just want to help us win. If I can do that and make a little history along the way, that’s a blessing.”
With nearly two-thirds of the season still ahead, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s potential appears limitless. If this is just the beginning, Cubs fans might be witnessing the emergence of their next great superstar—one capable of lighting up the scoreboard and the record books at the same time.
