Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Tearful Tribute to Late Legend Ryne Sandberg: “He’s the Reason I Don’t Give Up”.vc
Chicago, October 26, 2025 – In a moment that gripped Wrigleyville, Chicago Cubs All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong broke down in tears while honoring the late Ryne Sandberg, the Hall of Fame second baseman who passed away on August 2, 2025, after a battle with cancer. The 23-year-old phenom, fresh off a breakout 2025 season where he tied Sandberg’s franchise records, revealed how the icon’s guidance pulled him from the brink of despair during a midseason slump. “He’s the reason I don’t give up,” Crow-Armstrong said, his voice cracking, as Sandberg’s words transformed his struggles into unbreakable resolve.
A Challenging Season Forged in Fire
Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. The sports card above captures his stellar overall stats: .247 batting average, 31 home runs, 95 RBIs, 35 stolen bases, and a 3.2 WAR in 157 games, marking his first All-Star nod and a 30-30 season—the first for a Cub since Sammy Sosa. Yet, beneath the numbers lay a mental battle. A brutal June stretch saw him hit just .189 with 12 strikeouts in 15 games, fueling doubts and whispers of a sophomore slump after his 2024 debut.
Enter Ryne Sandberg. The 1984 NL MVP and Cubs icon, who mentored Crow-Armstrong over the past year, became his lifeline. Sandberg, known for his own perseverance—hitting .285 with 282 home runs over 15 seasons—shared stories of his early-career lows, emphasizing grit over glamour. “Ryno pulled me aside after a rough series,” Crow-Armstrong recounted in an emotional postgame interview following a Cubs tribute video at Wrigley on August 2. “He said, ‘Kid, the game tests you hardest when you’re young. But legends aren’t built in easy swings—they’re forged in the fight.’ Those words… they turned my doubt into fire.”
Tying a Legend: Records and Resilience
Crow-Armstrong’s turnaround was poetic. Post-slump, he exploded: tying Sandberg’s 42-year-old record as the youngest Cub with 30+ stolen bases since 1983, and matching his 26 home runs in a 25+ steal season. By August 11 against St. Louis, his 30th steal etched him into Cubs lore, even in a 3-2 loss.
Sandberg’s influence extended beyond stats. Crow-Armstrong wore custom cleats in August 2024 to celebrate Sandberg’s cancer remission, a gesture that deepened their bond. “From what I was told, he watched just about every game this year and lent support every day,” Crow-Armstrong said at Sandberg’s memorial game, where the Cubs donned blue jerseys and No. 23 patches. Teammate Nico Hoerner, who also honored Sandberg by wearing No. 23, added, “PCA’s fire? That’s Ryno in him—pure heart.”
On X, fans poured out emotion: “Tears for PCA’s tribute. Sandberg’s spirit lives through him. #OnceACubAlwaysACub”
A Legacy That Endures
Sandberg’s death hit hard, but Crow-Armstrong’s words turned grief into inspiration. “It’s hard to comprehend,” he said, wiping tears after visiting Sandberg’s statue. “He knew my family, believed in me when I didn’t. His advice turned my string of losses into lessons—I won’t give up, because he never did.”
As the Cubs eye 2026, with Crow-Armstrong rejecting $100M+ offers to stay loyal, Sandberg’s ethos echoes: Fight on. This tearful reminder isn’t just a story of mentorship—it’s a blueprint for Cubs greatness
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Conclusion
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s emotional homage to Ryne Sandberg transcends baseball, weaving personal struggle with franchise immortality. Through tears, he showed how a legend’s wisdom can reignite a young star’s flame. In Wrigley’s shadow, Sandberg’s legacy endures—not in records alone, but in the unbreakable spirit he instilled. Cubs fans, hold tight: The next chapter is just beginning.
