The Chicago Cubs suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night at Busch Stadium. This result reduces the Cubs’ record to 67-50, while the Cardinals improve to 60-59, highlighting a competitive race in the National League Central division.
With this loss, the Cubs now trail the Milwaukee Brewers by six games in the division standings. Meanwhile, St. Louis remains 3.5 games behind the third and final wild card spot, keeping their postseason hopes alive.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Achieves a Rare Feat for Cubs Base Stealers
During the game, Pete Crow-Armstrong recorded one hit in three at-bats and successfully stole his 30th base of the season. By reaching this milestone at age 23, Crow-Armstrong became the first Chicago Cubs player to steal 30 or more bases in a season at that age or younger since Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg in 1983, as noted by MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.
“Pete Crow-Armstrong is the first Cubs player with 30+ SB in a season at age 23 or younger since Ryne Sandberg in 1983” —Sarah Langs, MLB.com
Despite a recent slump with a .233 batting average over his last 30 games, Crow-Armstrong remains a contender in the MVP conversation. His overall season statistics include a .259 batting average, 27 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 78 runs batted in.
Ryne Sandberg’s Enduring Legacy Inspires Cubs Fans
Ryne Sandberg stands as one of the most celebrated figures in Chicago Cubs history. Over his 16-year career, including 15 spent with the Cubs, Sandberg posted a .285 batting average with 282 home runs and 344 stolen bases. His accolades feature 10 All-Star selections, nine Gold Glove awards, and seven Silver Slugger trophies. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 and won the National League MVP award in 1984.
Sandberg also led the National League in home runs in 1990 with 40 and topped the majors in total bases that same year. His consistent performance included five seasons hitting 25 or more home runs. Sadly, Sandberg recently passed away after battling cancer, leaving a profound impact on the sport and Cubs organization.
Upcoming Prospects and Memorable MLB Achievements
Other notable stories from Major League Baseball include Twins rookie Luke Keaschall, who has recently joined Mike Trout in the record books after recovering from injury. Shohei Ohtani matched a historic milestone previously held by legendary hitter Ted Williams, while pitcher <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/tag/charlie-morton/”>Charlie Morton tied records set by Nolan Ryan and John Smoltz by striking out seven consecutive batters at age 41.
Brady Farkas, a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated and host of ‘The Payoff Pitch‘ podcast, covers these developments. Farkas brings nearly ten years of experience in sports radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University.
Significance of Crow-Armstrong’s Performance and Future Outlook
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s ability to steal over 30 bases at 23 years old places him among elite company in Cubs history, suggesting a promising future as a dynamic offensive player. Although the Cubs faced a disappointing defeat, his standout speed and overall offensive contributions could prove crucial as the team strives to close the gap in the National League Central race. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Crow-Armstrong can sustain this level of play throughout the remainder of the season, potentially influencing the Cubs’ push toward the postseason.