Being a Chicago Cubs fan is a rollercoaster ride. From the infamous World Series drought to the constant losing seasons that earned the Cubs the nickname “lovable losers,” the journey has been challenging. Fortunately, I’ve only been a Cubs fan for the past 24 years, so I haven’t endured the championship drought for too long. However, since the 2016 World Series victory, the Cubs’ decline has been disheartening. From being on top of the world to becoming a big-market joke in a league where top teams continually outspend others to stay dominant, the Cubs have refused to invest heavily and seemingly abandoned their potential dynasty.
I vividly remember 2021—the last time we saw the 2016 championship team take the field together. A fire sale dismantled that roster, and the trades of beloved players hit hard. Javier Báez’s departure stung the most. A flashy, high-energy player who loved the city, the fans, and the game, Báez was a fan favorite. Like many others, I adored him. When he was traded to the Mets for their number-one prospect, an 18-year-old from Los Angeles named Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA), I was in awe, shock, and a brief state of grief. As with most trades involving fan favorites, you question whether the return is worthwhile. Prospects are a gamble, with a low success rate, and you never know how a player will develop. One thing was certain about PCA: the kid could play defense. His bat, however, was the question mark.
PCA quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Cubs’ top prospect. The excitement for his arrival in the majors grew exponentially. We got a small taste of him in 2023, when he went 0-for-19 and was sent back to the minors. Critics emerged quickly, questioning whether he could hit at the MLB level. In 2024, PCA’s rookie campaign offered a longer look. He provided brilliant defensive moments but continued to struggle at the plate. More critics wrote him off—and rightfully so, as his bat and swing selection needed significant improvement.
Fast forward to the offseason. This was a pivotal moment for the Cubs. Fans were tired of year after year of mediocrity from a big-market team spending like the Milwaukee Brewers. It was time for Jed Hoyer to take bigger swings. The biggest move was acquiring Kyle Tucker, a perennial top-10 player in the league. After years of disappointment, the fanbase finally had what they yearned for: a superstar. Expectations for the 2025 season soared. Hoyer had secured a cornerstone player to bolster a lineup that struggled in 2024.
But by May 18, 2025, it became clear that Kyle Tucker wasn’t the only superstar. Pete Crow-Armstrong has exploded onto the scene, silencing doubts about his bat. He’s positioned himself in the MVP conversation and is a near-certain Gold Glove winner. PCA has proven himself a top-three center fielder in baseball and arguably a top-10 player overall. His breakout has breathed new life into the fanbase. Finally, we have a homegrown superstar—a player who blends grit and swagger in a way not seen since Javy Báez. PCA has electrified Chicago and reinvigorated a hungry fanbase. We entered the season expecting one superstar but discovered we have two.
PCA turned down a $77 million extension and hasn’t looked back, proving that offer was far too low. By betting on himself, he may have added another $100 million to his future contract. PCA embodies what it means to be a Chicago Cub. He electrifies the fanbase and plays the game with unmatched passion. In 15 years, a generation of kids will name PCA as their role model. To young fans, I urge you to watch the kid in center field on the North Side—he plays the game the way it’s meant to be played.
Yayo After Dark 