Pete Crow-Armstrong enters elite Chicago Cubs club with latest home run

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has been on a tear in 2026, firmly placing himself towards the top of National League Most Valuable Player discussions. On Sunday, the burgeoning superstar further etched his name into the franchise history books.

While the Cubs fell 10-3 to the Miami Marlins, the outfielder smashed his 40th home run of the year in the fifth inning. He joins just Billy Williams – who hit 42 in 1970 – as the only left-handed Cubs batters to hit 40 home runs in a season, via Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune.

“The All-Star center fielder joined Billy Williams (42 in 1970) as the only left-handed hitters to reach 40 home runs in a season in the franchise’s 150-year history,” Montemurro. “He’s one of 10 Cubs to reach the mark and the first since Derrek Lee hit 46 in 2005.”

Crow-Armstrong’s full breakout has come during his age-24 season, making him one of the youngest lefty hitters to eclipse 40 homers.

“Crow-Armstrong is just the 13th lefty hitter in MLB history at 24 years old or younger to hit at least 40 home runs in a season,” Montemurro wrote. “Former teammate Cody Bellinger was the last to do it when he hit 47 in 2019 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Crow-Armstrong and Ernie Banks (44 home runs in 1955) are the youngest Cubs to record at least 40, both doing it in their age 24 seasons.”

The Cubs certainly aren’t complaining about Crow-Armstrong’s performance in 2026. But if/when he hits his 41st home run, Chicago will hope it comes in a win.

Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong pushing for MVP