Pete Crow-Armstrong matches Billy Williams with historic 42nd home run
Pete Crow-Armstrong set the Chicago Cubs single-season home run record on Monday, September 14, 2026, with his 42nd blast, a 7-3 win against the Braves.
The blast at Wrigley Field tied Hall of Famer Billy Williams for the most home runs by a left-handed hitter in a single Cubs season, a record that has stood for 54 years.
Analyzing Pete Crow-Armstrong’s home run record
The historic moment was the centerpiece of a dominant performance for the 24-year-old star, who is mounting a serious campaign for the National League MVP award. The win also provided a crucial boost to the Cubs’ postseason aspirations, pushing them a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for the top NL wild-card spot.
Crow-Armstrong’s record-tying homer was just one highlight in a masterful four-hit, four-RBI night. His contributions began in the second inning with a double that drove in two runs. The hit also marked a personal milestone, pushing him past 100 RBIs for the first time in his three full major league seasons. He would finish the night with 102.
He wasn’t finished on the basepaths. In the fourth inning, Crow-Armstrong singled and promptly stole second base, his 37th of the year. This relentless, multi-faceted attack has become his signature, combining elite power with game-changing speed. His efforts put the Cubs in a strong position early against the formidable Braves.
The main event arrived in the sixth inning. Facing Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, Crow-Armstrong turned on an inside fastball and sent it soaring into the right-field bleachers for a two-run shot.
It was his 25th home run at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field this season, putting him within striking distance of another Williams record of 28 home runs at home by a left-handed Cub, also set in 1970.
The offensive explosion backed a strong start from pitcher David Peterson, who was acquired from the New York Mets in June. Peterson kept the Braves’ bats quiet, allowing just one run on three hits across more than six innings while striking out seven. His record improved to 8-8 on the season and 5-2 since joining the Cubs.
Chasing the elusive 40-40 club
With his 42nd home run secured, Crow-Armstrong is now on the precipice of an even more exclusive group: the 40-40 club. With 37 stolen bases, he needs just three more to become the first player in the long and storied history of the Chicago Cubs to record 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season.
Achieving this feat would make him only the seventh player in Major League Baseball history to do so, placing him in the company of legends. The rarity of the 40-40 season underscores the unique combination of power and speed required, a skillset that defines Crow-Armstrong’s dynamic presence on the field.
While the Cubs have had many iconic power hitters and speedy base runners, none have combined the two at this level in a single campaign. Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg came close to a similar milestone in 1990, hitting 40 home runs but finishing with 25 stolen bases. Crow-Armstrong’s pursuit highlights his singular talent within the franchise’s history.
The Braves’ pitching and catching were particularly vulnerable, as they entered the game allowing opponents to steal bases at an 84.9% success rate, the second-worst mark in baseball. This statistical weakness may have played into the Cubs’ aggressive game plan on the basepaths and could provide openings for Crow-Armstrong in the season’s final weeks.
Building a commanding case for NL MVP
Every home run and stolen base not only breaks records but also strengthens Crow-Armstrong’s case for the National League’s Most Valuable Player award. He has become the clear frontrunner, combining his eye-popping statistics with his critical role on a playoff contender.
His value is perhaps best expressed by his league-leading 10.1 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), a figure that towers over the 6.8 posted by his nearest competitor, Shohei Ohtani, according to Fangraphs.
This season is not an isolated event but a continuation of his breakout 2025 campaign. Crow-Armstrong has now posted consecutive 30-homer, 30-steal seasons, becoming the first Cubs player ever to do so. This consistency demonstrates that his performance is a sustainable level of excellence, not a one-year anomaly.
On August 17, 2026, he hit a walk-off home run against the crosstown rival Chicago White Sox to officially notch his second straight 30-30 season.
His 2026 season has been filled with remarkable moments beyond the power and speed numbers. He hit for the cycle against the Colorado Rockies on June 15, was named an All-Star for the second consecutive year, and even recorded his first career three-homer game against the Cincinnati Reds on August 29.
These achievements paint a portrait of a player at the absolute peak of his powers.
Furthermore, he is the first Cubs player since Derrek Lee in 2005 to hit at least 40 home runs and collect 100 RBIs in the same season. Among Cubs to reach those benchmarks, he is the only one to add more than 30 stolen bases, putting his season in a class of its own.
In the company of a cubs icon
By tying Billy Williams’ record, Crow-Armstrong has linked himself to one of the most beloved and respected figures in Cubs history. Williams, a Hall of Famer who played 16 seasons in Chicago, is a franchise icon whose smooth left-handed swing defined an era. For his name to be mentioned alongside Williams is a significant honor, one the young center fielder does not take lightly.
“With him being one of the most respected guys to ever wear this uniform, and how much I enjoy being around him and having him close, when you compare that to the accolades and what he’s done, that’s a [comparison] I’ll accept when you guys say, ‘Hey, it’s you and Billy,'” Crow-Armstrong said after the game.
Williams set the mark during his spectacular 1970 season, a year in which he also led the National League in hits and runs scored. Until this month, he was the only left-handed hitter in franchise history to even reach the 40-homer plateau. Crow-Armstrong joining, and now matching, that feat connects two different generations of Cubs greatness.
The moment carries symbolic weight. It represents a passing of the torch from a legendary figure of the past to the undisputed leader of the current team. As Crow-Armstrong continues his assault on the record books, he does so with a clear appreciation for the history he is now a part of.
The road ahead and playoff implications
While personal accolades are accumulating, Crow-Armstrong’s focus remains on the team’s push for the postseason. The victory against the Braves was a statement win, proving they can compete with the league’s elite as they head into the final stretch of the season. His performance is not just padding his stats; it’s directly translating into crucial wins.
With the regular season winding down, all eyes will be on Crow-Armstrong for multiple reasons. First, he needs just one more home run to take sole possession of the franchise record for a left-handed hitter. Second is the chase for the 40-40 club, a historic achievement that would cap his incredible season.
Most importantly, the Cubs will rely heavily on their MVP candidate to carry them into October. His leadership, both with his bat and his glove in center field, will be the driving force behind their hopes for a deep playoff run. Monday night’s performance was a reminder that Pete Crow-Armstrong is not just having a historic season—he’s shaping the Cubs’ destiny in real time.