Sophie Cunningham sends strong message after Pete Crow-Armstrong’s statement game vs. Cardinals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Some players let opposing fans do the talking. Pete Crow-Armstrong prefers to answer them himself.

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The Chicago Cubs star center fielder delivered one of the loudest statements of the weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals, and Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was among those who appreciated the response. Crow-Armstrong found himself the target of Busch Stadium’s crowd throughout Saturday night’s rivalry matchup. Cardinals fans repeatedly chanted “overrated” at the 24-year-old outfielder, hoping to rattle one of baseball’s rising stars.

Instead, the chants seemed to fuel him. With the Cubs leading late, Crow-Armstrong crushed a towering 444-foot home run into the famous “Tarps Off” section beyond the outfield wall. It was the biggest swing in another impressive night for the young star and helped seal Chicago’s 6-1 victory over its longtime rival.

The moment quickly spread across social media, with MLB sharing video of the blast on Instagram. That’s when Cunningham jumped into the comments with a message that left little doubt about where she stood.

“tell them boys to shut their mf trap @petecrowarmstrong 🔥🔥,” Cunningham wrote.

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Her comment quickly caught attention from fans of both teams as Crow-Armstrong’s performance became one of the biggest talking points from the latest chapter of the Cardinals-Cubs rivalry.

Pete Crow-Armstrong let his play do the talking

The home run was only part of Crow-Armstrong’s big night. The Cubs outfielder finished 4-for-5 with a double, a home run and two RBIs. He also delivered the final defensive highlight of the game, making a sliding catch to record the last out and complete one of his most memorable performances of the season.

For Cardinals fans hoping the “overrated” chants would get under his skin, the result was exactly the opposite. Crow-Armstrong turned the criticism into fuel and gave Cubs fans another reason to believe they’re watching one of the game’s emerging stars.

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The performance also added another memorable moment to a rivalry that has produced countless iconic scenes over the decades.

Cunningham understands playing with an edge

It’s not surprising that Cunningham appreciated Crow-Armstrong’s response. The Fever veteran has built a reputation throughout her basketball career for embracing physical play, standing up for teammates and never backing down from a challenge. Whether it’s on the court or on social media, Cunningham rarely hesitates to speak her mind.

That mentality has made her a fan favorite in Indiana and one of the WNBA’s most recognizable personalities. After overcoming a torn MCL that cut her 2025 season short, Cunningham has returned as an important contributor for the Fever this season. Her toughness and confidence have become defining traits throughout her career.

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Those same qualities were on display when she came to Crow-Armstrong’s defense after his big night in St. Louis.

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A friendship that goes beyond one Instagram comment

Cunningham’s support didn’t come out of nowhere. The Fever guard and Crow-Armstrong were spotted together during spring training earlier this year when Cunningham attended a Cubs game in Arizona. The two have clearly maintained a connection, and Cunningham wasn’t about to let a strong performance go unrecognized.

For Crow-Armstrong, Saturday was another reminder that star players often face the loudest criticism. For Cunningham, it was another opportunity to support a friend who answered his critics the best way possible.

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By the end of the night, the chants had faded away. Crow-Armstrong’s home run was the only message that mattered.

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