Pete Crow-Armstrong’s incredible 2026 season continued in Sunday’s series finale against the Miami Marlins as he became the first left-handed batter in franchise history to hit 40 home runs in a single season since Billy Williams hit 42 in 1970. The 56-year gap to reach the 40-homer season milestone is astonishing as is, but the star center fielder also accomplished the feat sooner than anyone in Chicago Cubs history.
Back in 1955, Mr. Cub Ernie Banks hit his 40th home run of the season, becoming the youngest player to do it at that point in franchise history. Well, after PCA crushed a Tyler Phillips pitch more than 400 feet to right field in Miami, Crow-Armstrong became the youngest Cubs player to hit 40 home runs in a year, beating Banks by 49 days.
We can’t say it enough, Cubs fans are so lucky to have Pete Crow-Armstrong. He has shattered all expectations, becoming not only the best defensive player in MLB, but now, in his third full season as a major leaguer, the center fielder is among the league leaders in home runs.
Entering Monday’s series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, Crow-Armstrong remained in a class of his own, leading all MLB players with a 9.6 fWAR. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. trails in second place at 6.5 fWAR. As for Shohei Ohtani, his recent slump and injury, plus time running out on him returning to the mound, have pretty much made the National League MVP race over, with PCA as the clear favorite with three weeks left in the regular season.
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Crow-Armstrong also entered play on Monday with 33 stolen bases, seven away from 40, which would make him the first player in Cubs history to reach that milestone, and only the seventh player to do it in MLB history.
40/40 Players in MLB History
Shohei Ohtani: 2024
Ronald Acuña Jr.: 2023
Alfonso Soriano: 2006
Alex Rodriguez: 1998
Barry Bonds: 1996
Jose Canseco: 1988
That would be some insanely good company to join for Crow-Armstrong. Not so bad for your age-24 season in the big leagues.
