Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary

Episode: Pete Crow-Armstrong – Chicago baseball's SUPERSTAR
Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Dan Bernstein (with producer and co-host Matt Abbatacola)
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered (312 Sports)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the meteoric rise of Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA), the Chicago Cubs’ young center fielder, recently featured as the cover story in Chicago Magazine. Dan and Matt unpack why Pete Crow-Armstrong has become the face of Cubs optimism this spring, dissect the personality and mindset that set him apart, and reflect on cultural threads tying together sports, fandom, and youth development. The conversation also touches on broader issues in sports, including labor negotiations, youth sports mentalities, and a critical discussion of sexism in US hockey culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Celebrating Simplicity: Why PCA is the Story (01:57–05:00)

• Bernstein praises Chicago Magazine’s editorial sense: In a slow news period, they leaned into the refreshing, simple joy of Cubs baseball by showcasing PCA’s personality, rather than obsessing over spring training minutiae.
• The iconic cover: Pete Crow-Armstrong, bat over his shoulders, big curly red hair, tongue out—no helmet or hat. Bernstein:

  “That’s all you need for spring training. ... Sometimes it’s just keeping it simple.” (02:50)

The Piece: Wayne Drehs’ Profile & Crow-Armstrong’s Persona (03:00–12:00)

• A deep-dive into Wayne Drehs’ Chicago Magazine article, which profiles PCA’s upbringing, charisma, and self-awareness.
• Bernstein highlights PCA’s “expressive” playing style, likening him to a more mature Javier Báez, and notes his hunger and emotional honesty—attributes rare in young MLB stars.
• Internal struggles: PCA is highly self-critical, operates at emotional highs and lows, and is developing “equanimity” for the grind of a 162-game season.
  • Bernstein:

    “If you’re going to have the high highs, it means you’ve got to go through the low lows as well.” (06:30)

• Details from the feature:
  • His relationships with kids, commitment to community clinics.
  • His upbringing: supportive, artistic (parents are Hollywood actors), not “pushed” into baseball.
  • How he negotiates public perception, recognizes that his passion can “rub people the wrong way.”

    “I’m sure I come off like a douche sometimes. ... That’s where I get to do that stuff. So, hell yeah, I rub people the wrong way.” (12:00)

The Contract & Leadership: Worker Solidarity at a Young Age (12:00–15:00)

• PCA’s refreshing perspective on contracts and market value:
  • He wants a “fair deal,” not just for himself but for other center fielders:

    “I want to look out for the other center fielders who have to go through the same process.” (12:40)

  • Shows rare awareness of his place in the MLB labor landscape for a player his age.
• His focus: Winning a World Series in Chicago, being a team player, enjoying the ride (see quote section).

Mentorship & Mental Resilience (15:05–18:00)

• Discussion on the importance of learning to “move on” from failures, as emphasized by Cubs manager Craig Counsell.
  • Bernstein:

    “Understand and accept that things won’t always go your way — and when they don’t, learn from it and move on. ... That is one of the most important things you can teach your children.” (15:30)

• Reflection on teaching youth resilience through baseball: mental toughness eclipses technique at early ages for long-term development.

Fandom, Chicago, and the New Generation (26:00–28:00)

• PCA’s life in Chicago: Building genuine relationships with other Chicago sports young stars (Caleb Williams, Modest Bouzelis, Connor Bedard).
  • Joint community events: “Holiday Handoff” to feed 3,000 families.
  • Enjoys Chicago’s authenticity and favorite spots (lakefront walks, local golf).
• Discussion of Cubs team personalities and leadership: PCA provides color and voice on a team lacking big personalities, while others (like Ian Happ) assume more traditional, union-focused roles.

Notable Quotes from Pete Crow-Armstrong

• On post-season at Wrigley:

  “Being in the playoffs at Wrigley Field ... the sickest shit I’ve ever been a part of. Different from any other baseball game I’ve ever played in my life.” (12:20)

• On goals:

  “The fuck are you playing for if you’re not trying to play in the playoffs and win the World Series, man?” (12:35)

• On money, contracts, and solidarity:

  “I’d like to get a fair deal so I don’t fuck the market up. I want to look out for the other centerfielders who have to go through the same process.” (13:00)

• On personal growth:

  “I want people to be able to talk about me in the same light as [teammates] when all is said and done and I’m older and wiser and whatever. I would like that to be the focus on me as a person instead of he’s finally hitting for power or whatever.” (20:54)

Broader Segments & Impactful Moments

Comparing Youth & Major League Baseball (18:00–20:54)

• Playful conversation about youth baseball’s randomness and teaching moments (“batting averages at 8U are like .500”).
• Anecdotes about field conditions and their impact on outcomes—Chicago’s city ballfields, field care, and the emotional arc of youth baseball.

The Value of Personality in the Cubs’ Clubhouse (25:00–26:00)

• PCA as a “leading personality,” providing authenticity and relatability.
• Bernstein:

  “He sort of reminds me in a lot of ways of a much smarter Patrick Kane ... if, in fact, you sort of idealized a young Patrick Kane and took out all the gross and made him smarter, you’d end up with Pete Crow-Armstrong.” (22:54)

Cultural Critique – US Hockey, Sexism, and Team Solidarity (35:23–47:40)

(Less directly tied to PCA, but notable as a deep-dive secondary topic)

• Bernstein plays and unpacks a clip featuring former President Trump “joking” about only being willing to invite the women’s US hockey team to the White House if he “had to,” sparking uncomfortable laughter in the men’s locker room after their gold medal win.
  • Bernstein challenges the culture that allows sexism and tokenism to go unchecked, calling on USA Hockey and the men’s team to stand in solidarity with the women’s team (who declined the invitation).
  • Bernstein:

    “All I would say to USA Hockey is: prove it. Prove it. … Are you gonna let the women hang on this one?” (40:41)

• Discussion on performative “defense” of women’s sports against trans inclusion, with Bernstein calling out hypocrisy:

  “Don’t tell me that your whole goal in discriminating against trans athletes is to protect women’s sports ... then turn around and treat women’s sports as a punchline.” (47:08)

Later Topics and Listener Feedback (53:15–57:12)

• Quick return to “iraqpo-ing” (labeling TV ad celebrities)—with emails critiquing Dan’s recent reversal on the practice, light banter, and tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation.
• Touches on continued listener engagement and feedback.

Timestamps – Key Segments

• 01:57 – Start of Cubs/PCA discussion: Magazine cover, simplicity of spring training, why PCA is the story
• 03:00–12:00 – Analysis of Wayne Drehs’ article, PCA’s self-awareness and baseball style
• 12:00–15:00 – Quotes on contracts, labor negotiations, and player solidarity
• 15:05 – Craig Counsell’s mentorship: Accepting failure and growing
• 18:00–20:54 – Youth baseball, field stories, mental skills over mechanics
• 25:00–28:00 – Personality dynamics on the Cubs, PCA's presence in the city and with other sports stars
• 35:23–47:40 – Segment on US hockey, sexism, Trump White House “joke,” organizational accountability
• 53:15 – Banter on “iraqpo-ing” and advertising logic, listener engagement

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “That’s all you need for spring training … sometimes it’s just keeping it simple.” – Dan Bernstein (02:50)
• “I’m sure I come off like a douche sometimes. ... That’s where I get to do that stuff. So, hell yeah, I rub people the wrong way.” – Pete Crow-Armstrong, quoted by Bernstein (12:00)
• “I want to look out for the other centerfielders who have to go through the same process.” – PCA (13:00)
• “Being in the playoffs at Wrigley Field … the sickest shit I’ve ever been a part of.” – PCA (12:20)
• “He sort of reminds me ... of a much smarter Patrick Kane … you’d end up with Pete Crow-Armstrong.” – Bernstein (22:54)
• "[Counsell] wants [PCA] to understand ... things won't always go your way and when they don’t, learn from it and move on. ... In my world, we call that parenting." – Bernstein (15:30)
• “Don’t tell me that your whole goal in discriminating against trans athletes is to protect women’s sports ... then turn around and treat women’s sports as a punchline.” – Bernstein (47:08)

Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is marked by Bernstein’s trademark candor—direct, wry, deeply Chicagoan, alternating between critical sports analysis and hilarious reminiscence. It captures both the hopeful innocence and savvy maturity embodied by PCA, while also holding sports culture to account for how it treats both its rising stars and marginalized groups.

“If that doesn’t get you ready to go, I mean, come on, come on.” – Dan Bernstein, on PCA’s spirit (13:00)

This is a must-listen for anyone hungry for spring optimism, invested in the next generation of Cubs stars, or interested in the ongoing evolution of sports culture on and off the field.