Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell and third baseman Alex Bregman paused during Pete Crow-Armstrong’s two-homer night Wednesday to take in a season that has few recent parallels at Wrigley Field.
The moment, captured by Marquee Sports Network and shared by Foul Territory, showed the veteran manager turning to his third baseman as Crow-Armstrong continued to pile up extra-base hits against the Atlanta Braves.
“I said, ‘Alex, you don’t get to see things like this.’ … [The fans are] gonna tell their kids about it,” Counsell said.
Crow-Armstrong went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a triple, three RBIs and three runs scored in the Cubs’ 8-4 victory. The 24-year-old center fielder launched a solo shot in the third inning for his 43rd homer of the season, breaking Billy Williams’ franchise record for left-handed hitters set in 1970.
He added an RBI triple in the fifth and another solo homer in the seventh, his 44th of the year and seventh multi-homer game of 2026. Wrigley Field fans chanted “MVP” after his at-bats and gave him a standing ovation even after he struck out with the bases loaded in the eighth.
Bregman nearly matched the highlight reel, going 3-for-4 with a home run, triple, double and four RBIs. The two extra-base machines helped the Cubs improve to 85-68 and stay a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League’s top Wild Card spot.
Left-hander Shota Imanaga delivered six strong innings, allowing one run and striking out eight to earn the win. The Braves, who entered the night in position to clinch a playoff berth with help elsewhere, fell to 89-64.
Crow-Armstrong is now hitting .282 with 44 home runs, 105 RBIs, 115 runs, 29 doubles, eight triples and 37 stolen bases. He sits one homer behind Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the major league lead and needs three more steals for the first 40-40 season in Cubs history.
The combination of power, speed and Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field has made him a leading National League MVP candidate while Shohei Ohtani remains on the injured list.
Bregman’s night continued a strong second half after a slow start to his first season in Chicago following a five-year, $175 million contract. The 32-year-old has provided both production and a veteran presence in a lineup that leads the majors in several offensive categories.
Counsell has watched Crow-Armstrong evolve from promising young player into a nightly force. The manager’s comments to Bregman reflected a recognition that seasons of this caliber do not come around often, even for those who spend decades in the game.
The Cubs have Thursday off before traveling to Cincinnati for a weekend series. With fewer than two weeks remaining in the regular season, Chicago is fighting to secure home-field advantage in the Wild Card round.
Crow-Armstrong’s latest outburst kept the offense rolling and gave the home crowd another night to remember. For Counsell and Bregman, it was a reminder to appreciate the view while it lasts.
