Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong had an opportunity to clarify his comments about Los Angeles Dodgers fans that appeared in an article inside Chicago Magazine recently.
The 23-year-old All-Star, who grew up in the shadow of Los Angeles Dodgers blue, doubled down this week on his criticism of Dodgers fans. He told Foul Territory that he remembers “nasty stuff” in the stands as a kid, invoking the brutal 2011 beating of Bryan Stow as something that stuck with him. He insisted his comments weren’t about the players or the organization — only the fanbase.
“I grew up going to Dodgers games when they weren’t always good. Their fans go in phases. Putting the Giants fan in the coma stuck with me as a kid. Sitting in the stands, nasty stuff goes on. I didn’t always experience that at other ballparks,” he said in the interview.
But here’s the problem: that’s not the song he was singing before.
Crow-Armstrong’s original critique was that Dodgers fans don’t “give a s—,” that they show up to take photos rather than understand the game.
Now the argument has shifted from passion and baseball IQ to violence and ugliness. Those are two very different accusations. One is about engagement. The other is about morality.
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Dodgers fans fired back quickly, pointing to record attendance, division titles, and October thunder. They also reminded Cubs loyalists of their own scars — hello, Steve Bartman.
Crow-Armstrong’s original critique was that Dodgers fans don’t “give a s—,” that they show up to take photos. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The California Post is here. Sign up for Morning Report. Get the perfect blend of news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.
Every fanbase has its demons. Every stadium has its shadows. But when you grow up near Dodger Stadium and choose to keep swinging at its people, you better be ready for the fastball back at your face.
Good thing Crow-Armstrong has crushed a few of those into the pavilion before. He’ll hear about it again in when the Cubs come to Chavez ravine in late April.
