MVPete is officially the National League MVP. Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong won the 2026 National League Most Valuable Player Award on Thursday, November 12, receiving all 30 first-place votes and becoming the first unanimous MVP in Cubs history.
It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable season on the North Side. The Wrigley Field marquee celebrated the occasion with a glowing “MVPETE 2026,” a fitting tribute to the player whose name became a chant around the Friendly Confines.
A historic 2026 season at Wrigley Field
At just 24, Crow-Armstrong combined power, speed and elite center-field defense in a way few players ever have. He played all 162 regular-season games, batted .280, launched 45 home runs, drove in 107 runs, scored 119 runs and stole 41 bases.
His 45 home runs tied for the Major League lead, and his 40-homer, 40-steal season put him among just seven players in MLB history to reach that milestone. He also won another Gold Glove for his defense.
PCA finishes ahead of Shohei Ohtani
Crow-Armstrong finished ahead of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, who placed second in National League MVP voting, and Milwaukee Brewers infielder Brice Turang, who finished third.
PCA’s blend of offense and defense helped power Chicago into the postseason and gave Cubs fans highlight after highlight, from jaw-dropping catches in center field to game-changing home runs.
The first Cubs MVP since Kris Bryant in 2016
Crow-Armstrong is the first Chicago Cubs player to win National League MVP since Kris Bryant in 2016, the year the Cubs captured their historic World Series championship. He joins a legendary line of Cubs MVPs including Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, Andre Dawson, Sammy Sosa and Bryant.
Ten years after Bryant brought the award home, another Cubs star has added his name to the franchise’s history. But PCA achieved something no Cubs MVP had done before: a unanimous selection.
Wrigleyville celebrates MVPete
Throughout the season, Cubs fans embraced the “M-V-Pete” nickname with chants and signs. When the votes were announced, that enthusiasm had a new reason to grow: all 30 voters agreed.
For Wrigleyville and the Southport Corridor, the Wrigley Field marquee glowing with “MVPETE 2026” captured a moment worth remembering. And with Crow-Armstrong only 24 years old, Cubs fans have plenty to look forward to.
Source: MLB.com and the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.