Pete Crow-Armstrong claimed the 2026 National League Most Valuable Player Award in unanimous fashion, ending Shohei Ohtani’s three-year reign and becoming the first Chicago Cubs player in franchise history to receive every first-place vote.
The 24-year-old center fielder’s complete season—power, speed, durability, and elite defense—proved decisive against the Dodgers superstar, who finished second despite remaining one of baseball’s most dynamic talents.
Appearing on MLB Network after the announcement, Crow-Armstrong spoke with clear respect about sharing the conversation with Ohtani.
“Being mentioned in conversations with, you know, one of the best pitchers in the sport, who’s also one of the best hitters, a World Series champion, and arguably the biggest part of that,” Crow-Armstrong said.
He quickly clarified that the race never felt like a daily head-to-head battle.
“It’s not like we’re racing and going up against each other every day,” he added. But I think it’s just the fact that I want to be better than I was the day before. Really, that’s been all that I’ve needed to motivate myself for as long as I can remember.”
That internal standard produced a historic campaign. Crow-Armstrong played all 162 games, hit 45 home runs, stole 41 bases, and posted a .943 OPS while becoming the first Cub to reach the 40-40 plateau.
He led Major League Baseball with 10.6 WAR and established himself as one of the game’s premier defensive center fielders, combining offensive production with everyday impact in the middle of the diamond.
Ohtani’s second-place finish, supported by 26 second-place votes, closed a remarkable stretch of dominance, yet Crow-Armstrong’s two-way value across a full season separated him in the balloting.
The Cubs star’s rise also reflected the patience and guidance he received along the way. He credited manager Craig Counsell, hitting coach John Mallee, teammate Nico Hoerner, and the broader clubhouse for giving him the runway to develop on his own terms.
Family and friends provided steady support, while former Cubs greats shaped his perspective on the franchise’s history.
Crow-Armstrong singled out Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who remained accessible to younger players even while battling cancer.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Andre Dawson, Sammy Sosa, and Kris Bryant, noting that he had spoken with Bryant earlier in the day.
Joining Ernie Banks, Sandberg, Dawson, Sosa, and Bryant as Cubs MVPs carried special meaning for him.
“I’m happy to carry on their legacy and be able to continue to have their names brought up in conversations like this,” Crow-Armstrong said.
The award marks both a personal milestone and a continuation of the Cubs’ lineage of standout performers.
At 24, Crow-Armstrong now carries the distinction of the franchise’s first unanimous MVP while setting a clear standard for how he intends to approach the seasons ahead.
