Things have not quite clicked for Pete Crow-Armstrong this season. He looked ready to break out after smashing 30 homers while batting .247 last year, but has managed just five home runs so far this season. Sunday’s renewed Chicago rivalry clash, however, put Crow-Armstrong in the spotlight for a very different reason. He was caught in a heated exchange with a female White Sox fan near the fence, a moment that quickly sparked criticism.

Crow-Armstrong has finally spoken out, sharing his side of the story and attempting to clear the air.

“Some lady decided to start talking s—, and I felt the need to say it back,” Crow-Armstrong sets the record straight.

The White Sox won Sunday’s game with catcher Edgar Quero’s walk-off home run in the 10th, securing a win. However, what could have been the most exciting part of the game was overshadowed by the drama surrounding Crow-Armstrong in the fourth inning.

The White Sox’s Miguel Vargas hit a double off the outfield fence to tie the game. Crow-Armstrong was just about to take the catch, but narrowly missed the ball. He smacked into the netted wall in the right-center field. As the field was cheering for the white Sox’s run, Crow-Armstrong, sitting in the outfield, was distressed. But the scene quickly took a wrong turn.

While sitting on the warning track, facing into the crowd, a female White Sox fan was seen approaching Crow-Armstrong and yelling, “You s—.” Pete Crow-Armstrong, already stressed out, couldn’t resist and gave it back. “You suck my f —— d— b—-,” the Cubs star responded.

The NSFW exchange lasted a few seconds before Crow-Armstrong got back to his position, and a Cubs fan guarded the female fan. However, backlash started to grow.

“CLOWN OF THE DAY. Pete Crow-Armstrong is exchanging words with a female White Sox fan at her engagement party. The pair had a heated conversation. Regardless of the situation, PCA, who went hitless yet again, really needs to do better. A terrible look!” MLB blogger Dan Clark said via X.

“PCA has got to be in a position where you show more restraint than that,” Chicago Sports Radio host David Haugh added.

With pressure mounting on him to own up to his actions, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s response was highly anticipated. However, it was not expected that he would stand by his action. While the Cubs front office has yet to share any statement about the altercation, MLB’s rule was violated. According to Rule 4.06, ‘Players in uniform shall not address or mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands before, during, or after a game.’

It was also not Crow-Armstrong’s first brush with fans this season. He clearly enjoys the back-and-forth with the crowd, as evidenced by his interactions with Dodgers supporters earlier this year. He went on record calling the fanbase “casuals” who only head to the stadium to take pictures for social media. In return, Dodgers fans heavily booed him during their series against the Cubs. But instead of apologizing, he simply said, “I’d say they started it; they just gave me an opportunity to kind of run with it.”

Now, all eyes will be on what comes next for Crow-Armstrong. For the moment, the Chicago rivalry has found a new flashpoint, while the Cubs are left trying to figure out their 24-year-old’s struggles.

Is it time to start worrying about Pete Crow-Armstrong?

Crow-Armstrong waved the white flag after the intense series decider on Sunday, which ended 9-8 in favor of the White Sox. “I feel like I can relate to a lot of those guys. I appreciate how a lot of them play. It’s a good ballclub, and they’re playing good baseball. It’s good for the city that they’ve got two good teams going and having a lot of success this year,” he said about their rivals.

The White Sox certainly deserve credit for their turnaround this season. They currently sit second in the AL Central with a 24-22 record, a massive improvement from last year’s 60-102 campaign. But while the White Sox are trending upward, questions are beginning to grow around Crow-Armstrong’s own season. Is it time for the Cubs to start worrying?

Well, it’s too early to panic, especially considering the defense the Cubs slugger showed on Sunday. In the second inning, Quero drove in an RBI hit off Colin Rea. Andrew Benintendi tried to take an extra base as the ball rolled toward Pete Crow-Armstrong, but PCA fired a laser throw to third to keep the runner from getting into scoring position.

Yes, his bat has not been firing consistently, but his overall game still brings value. Crow-Armstrong has remained effective on the base paths with four stolen bases this season after averaging 31 steals over the previous two years.