“I’ll Carry the Hearts of Chicago”: Pete Crow-Armstrong Gets Emotional Over “Honor” of Team USA Call-Up.vc

Pete Crow-Armstrong, the young star of the Chicago Cubs, has been officially called up to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Sharing his emotions, he said he will “carry the hearts and hopes of Chicago fans to fight as hard as he would fight for the Cubs,” a moment that left fans and teammates “choked up.”

CHICAGO — Pete Crow-Armstrong‘s historic 2025 season has officially earned him a spot representing his country. The 23-year-old Cubs superstar has been named to the 2026 Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic, an “honor like no other” that has him “ready to shine on the global field.”

While Crow-Armstrong had previously announced his commitment, the official call-up was made this week. In an emotional response, the young phenom—who just completed a 30-30, Gold Glove, and All-Star season—turned the honor into a heartfelt promise to his city.

In a statement that reportedly “made fans and teammates choke up,” Crow-Armstrong highlighted his connection to the fan base that watched him become a star.

“This is an honor like no other, and I’ve always dreamed of wearing that jersey,” Crow-Armstrong said. “But I want the fans in Chicago to know, I’m not just playing for the name on the front. I will carry the hearts and hopes of Chicago fans to fight as hard as I would fight for the Cubs.”

An International Star Ready to Shine

The sentiment—that his fight for Team USA is an extension of his fight for Chicago—solidifies his bond with the city. Crow-Armstrong, a four-time alum of the USA Baseball youth national teams, has long called playing for his country “the best, most meaningful baseball experience” outside of the majors.

Now, he will get to do it on the “global field.”

His call-up adds another high-impact, five-tool player to a “Redeem Team” roster looking to reclaim the WBC title. PCA joins a star-studded lineup that already includes:

• Aaron Judge (OF, New York Yankees – Team Captain)
• Paul Skenes (P, Pittsburgh Pirates)
• Cal Raleigh (C, Seattle Mariners)
• Bobby Witt Jr. (SS, Kansas City Royals)
• Corbin Carroll (OF, Arizona Diamondbacks)

After a 2025 season where he became the face of the Cubs’ first playoff run in five years, Crow-Armstrong is no longer just Chicago’s young star. He is now an international one, and he’s bringing the “hearts and hopes” of Wrigley Field with him.