Crow-Armstrong joins MLB’s 40-40 club as Cubs clinch berth

Pete Crow-Armstrong became Major League Baseball’s seventh player to record at least 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season Thursday, stealing second base in the first inning against the Miami Marlins for his 40th steal. The Chicago Cubs center fielder has hit 45 home runs, completing the rare combination during a season in which he has emerged as a leading contender for the National League Most Valuable Player award. Crow-Armstrong reached base on a leadoff walk before advancing on the next pitch to Seiya Suzuki. He joined a group that includes Shohei Ohtani, who recorded a 40-40 season in 2024, and Ronald Acuña Jr., who did so in 2023. Jose Canseco was the first player to reach the mark, in 1988. The other members are Alfonso Soriano, Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds. The milestone came as the Cubs beat Miami 2-1, a result that clinched Chicago’s second consecutive postseason berth, according to a game account. The Cubs secured one of the National League’s three wild-card spots. They had also reached the postseason last year, when they defeated San Diego in the first round before losing to Milwaukee in the Division Series. Chicago’s victory was decided in the sixth inning.