Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Chicago Cubs All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong recently made headlines for criticizing Los Angeles Dodgers fans, claiming they only go to games to take pictures and don’t pay attention to the action on the field.
Crow-Armstrong took aim at the Dodgers fanbase after praising Cubs fans and the city of Chicago as a whole.
It wasn’t immediately clear why Crow-Armstrong decided to throw shade at Dodgers fans. The comments were nothing short of surprising considering he grew up in Southern California and attended several games at Dodger Stadium as a child.
During an appearance on the “Foul Territory” show, Crow-Armstrong clarified that he doesn’t have anything against the Dodgers organization and simply hates their fans:
“I didn’t really get a chance to back that statement up with that has nothing to do with Doc, that has nothing to do with Shohei, any of the players over there. I love Mookie Betts; I look up to him like crazy. Freddie has only ever been great to me. If anything, those are the guys that have given those fans a reason to be fans. I grew up going to Dodgers games when they weren’t always good, when they had Mannywood pop up, but they (the fans) go in phases. All fans fight and stuff, but I remember putting the Giants fan in a coma. That stuck with me as a kid. Just little things. Sitting in the stands, just nasty stuff goes on. I didn’t always experience that at other ballparks. But like I said, that has nothing to do with who is on the field for them. I love playing against them, and I love what they’re doing right now, because they’re creating a dynasty, but I want to take them down too.”
Crow-Armstrong is referring to the tragedy from 2011 when Bryan Stow, a San Francisco Giants fan, suffered a traumatic brain injury after being attacked in the Dodger Stadium parking lot.
While that represents one of the worst acts of fan violence in sports history, the unfortunate reality is that “nasty stuff” happens all the time at sporting events, even if it goes unnoticed by others.
Crow-Armstrong also seemed to imply that Dodgers fans only care about the team when they’re winning, but the franchise has sold out every home game since 2013, and other opposing players have noted L.A.’s distinct home-field advantage in the past.
When will Pete Crow-Armstrong return to Dodger Stadium?
The Cubs are scheduled to visit Dodger Stadium for a three-game series against the Dodgers from April 24-26.
After his recent comments, it’s safe to say that Crow-Armstrong will not be getting a hometown hero’s welcome when he steps into the batter’s box at Dodger Stadium.
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