Shohei Ohtani, Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong make history together

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong make history together

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Aug 5, 2026 4:24 PM ET

"Anything you can do, I can do better."

That might be what Pete Crow-Armstrong was thinking ahead of his leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning of the Chicago Cubs' matchup with the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.

Because Crow-Armstrong's bomb to right-center field tied the game and matched the game-opening home run from Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Shohei Ohtani, Pete Crow-Armstrong make history with leadoff HRs

The pair of first-inning long balls even made history as only the second time players from both teams hit leadoff home runs at Wrigley Field, a ballpark that has existed in some form since 1914.

Ironically enough, and as another commonality, both players' leadoff home runs were their 25th of the season.

Crow-Armstrong wasn't finished hitting HRs after his leadoff bomb

Crow-Armstrong would also go yard on his next at-bat with a two-run shot in the fourth inning, which extended the Cubs' lead to a commanding 5-1 at the time.

Ohtani! PCA!

This is the second game in Wrigley Field history where both teams hit a leadoff homer, joining:

5/1/18: Blackmon, Rizzo

h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/BFgAzLJvfk
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 5, 2026

He entered the game with 65 RBI, 76 runs scored, 121 hits, 21 doubles, seven triples and 28 stolen bases, on pace to set numerous career-highs. His pre-game slash line was .284/.384/.535.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! pic.twitter.com/YUKCatZWkG
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 5, 2026

On the other hand, Ohtani, who has won three straight and three out of the last four MVPs between time in both the American and National Leagues, had 67 RBI, 71 runs and 22 doubles to go along with a .293 batting average, a .397 OBP and a .539 slug, all solid numbers, granted a dip from his monster production from recent seasons.

It's always worth noting that Ohtani is 8-2 with a staggering 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 14 starts and 85.2 innings of work on the mound as well.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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