Cubs Star Takes Time for Young Fan Holding 'PCA Is My Hero' Sign

A young Cubs fan stood at the edge of Field 1 in Mesa, Arizona, clutching a homemade poster that read "PCA is my hero" and wearing his idol's jersey. When Pete Crow-Armstrong finished a TV interview during spring training, he walked straight over to make the boy's morning unforgettable.

The 23-year-old center fielder didn't just sign an autograph. He received a gift from his young admirer: a baseball card of Javy Báez, Crow-Armstrong's childhood hero.

"You're my favorite player," the fan told him. "And I know Javy Báez was your favorite player, so I got you Javy's card."

Crow-Armstrong examined the card with genuine surprise. "This is for me to keep?" he asked, touched by the thoughtful gesture.

The moment came during a whirlwind morning for the Cubs star, who juggled photos, interviews, equipment meetings, and actual baseball work. Fans shouted "Pete! Pete!" every time he appeared, a testament to his explosive 2025 season where he became the first Cubs player ever to hit 30 home runs, steal 30 bases, and smash 30 doubles.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell sees something special in how Crow-Armstrong handles the spotlight. "Because of who Pete is and his talents, there's always going to be very high expectations," Counsell said. "He understands that better than we give him credit for, and he handles it very well."

The Ripple Effect

Crow-Armstrong's willingness to pause his packed schedule for meaningful fan interactions is creating a new generation of Cubs faithful. The California native has fallen in love with Chicago's passionate fanbase, particularly the bleacher crowd at Wrigley Field who pack the outfield seats and engage with him during games.

His teammate Alex Bregman believes the young star's character matches his talent. "The sky's the limit for him," Bregman said. "Once you get older in this league, you learn what works mentally, and he's focused on all the right things."

For one young fan in Arizona, those "right things" included taking time to connect over a shared love of baseball heroes. In a hectic day filled with obligations and expectations, Crow-Armstrong made sure the most important moment was the one that cost nothing but attention.