In the aftermath of a crazy Cubs-White Sox Crosstown finale Sunday, an interaction between Pete Crow-Armstrong and a White Sox fan went viral on every corner of social media.
The Cubs centerfielder was seen shouting back at a fan in the middle of Sunday’s game, using profanity and a derogatory term toward the fan.
On Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field, Crow-Armstrong wanted to address the controversy head-on.
“I think I just regret my choice of words the most and who that affects in my life, directly and indirectly,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I don’t think that any of the women in my life would ever think that I would use those kinds of words regularly, especially referring to them. I’m just bummed out about the word choice and that a bunch of little kids probably find their way to social media and see that as well.
“But I am intense on the field and in a moment like that, I think I just let it get away from me a little bit. But again, poor word choice. Lack of awareness, too, when it comes to who’s watching me. I don’t want to represent the other guys in this clubhouse that way, because mostly everybody in here is the opposite of that.”
Crow-Armstrong said he has spoken with family and friends about the matter, as well as members of the Cubs organization.
“I think they know my character as well, that this was strictly just a heat-of-the-moment kind of thing,” Crow-Armstrong said. “As corny as that sounds, that’s real. I regret my word choice for sure, and I think they know that.”
Manager Craig Counsell doesn’t want his players to feel like they can’t interact with fans because there are often good moments that come out of those situations.
But he also saw this particular incident as a learning moment for Crow-Armstrong.
“Pete made a mistake with his choice of words,” Counsell said. “I think he’s aware of that. And that’s it. He made a mistake and we gotta move on from it. It’s a reality of this job.
“It happens. Fan interactions happen. You try to keep them positive, even when they’re not. Sometimes when it’s a really emotional situation, it’s difficult. But it’s still a requirement of the job.”
Counsell spent 16 years as a player in the major leagues and he acknowledges there were definitely times when fans got under his skin.
“I think every player can say that,” Counsell said. “It’s part of it. Sometimes it’s fun. Sometimes it’s funny, actually. Sometimes it’s hurtful. And that happens a lot, too.
“But we have a standard to uphold that goes along with all the good stuff that we get to experience. And the fans being there is part of the good stuff. But there’s still a standard we have to live by.”
