Chicago Cubs All-Star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong sparked controversy this week after criticizing Los Angeles Dodgers fans in a magazine interview, suggesting they attend games primarily for photo opportunities rather than genuine baseball passion. The Southern California native, who grew up attending Dodgers games, made the comments while praising Chicago fans during a conversation with Chicago Magazine. His remarks quickly went viral across social media and drew coverage from multiple national outlets.
In the interview with Chicago Magazine’s Wayne Drehs, Crow-Armstrong drew a sharp contrast between Cubs fans and Dodgers fans. According to the report, he stated that Chicago fans “give a [expletive]” and are “paying attention” to the game, unlike Dodgers fans who “go to the game like Dodgers fans to take pictures and whatever.”
Dodgers Fans Face Criticism From Cubs Star
The comments gained significant traction online, prompting secondary coverage from the Chicago Sun-Times, Los Angeles Times, and New York Post, among other major outlets. Additionally, the remarks came at a particularly sensitive time for the Dodgers organization, which has just secured back-to-back World Series championships and added star players Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker during the offseason.
However, Crow-Armstrong was given an opportunity to clarify his stance during a Wednesday appearance on “Foul Territory.” The Cubs outfielder expanded on his original comments by referencing a disturbing incident from his youth involving violence at Dodger Stadium.
According to Crow-Armstrong, he remembered attending Dodgers games during less successful periods for the franchise. He specifically recalled the infamous incident where a San Francisco Giants fan was put in a coma following an assault at Dodger Stadium, stating “that stuck with me as a kid.”
Cubs Outfielder Walks Back Criticism of Dodgers Organization
Meanwhile, Crow-Armstrong made clear that his criticism was directed solely at certain fan behaviors and not at the Dodgers organization itself. During his “Foul Territory” appearance, the All-Star outfielder praised several members of the franchise, including manager Dave Roberts and star players.
“I didn’t get a chance to really, like, back that statement up with the fact that that has nothing to do with Doc, that has nothing to do with Shohei, any of the players over there,” Crow-Armstrong explained. He went on to express admiration for Mookie Betts and specifically mentioned first baseman Freddie Freeman, saying “Freddy’s only ever been great to me.”
In contrast to his initial comments about Dodgers fans, Crow-Armstrong’s follow-up remarks suggested personal positive interactions with Los Angeles players. The outfielder noted that stars like Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman have “given these fans a reason to be fans,” acknowledging the team’s recent success and star power.
The controversy highlights ongoing debates about fan culture at different MLB ballparks. Nevertheless, Crow-Armstrong’s attempt to clarify his position demonstrates the delicate balance players must strike when discussing rival organizations and their supporters.
It remains unclear whether Crow-Armstrong’s clarification will fully resolve the controversy before the Cubs and Dodgers meet during the regular season. The two teams are scheduled to face each other multiple times this year, though specific dates for their matchups have not been emphasized in recent coverage.
