Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong Edges Closer to NL Home Run Crown in Crucial Final Games

The latest edition of BCB After Dark explores the latest developments in the National League home run race, focusing on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s pursuit of Kyle Schwarber’s lead.

Crow-Armstrong continues to defy expectations, recently matching his season total with two home runs against the Braves, bringing him to 44 on the season—just one shy of NL leader Schwarber’s 45.

The final phase of the season presents a tight race, with the Cubs holding three games against the Reds at Great American Ballpark, three against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, and three against the Marlins at Wrigley Field. Meanwhile, the Phillies face a challenging schedule with games against the Mets, Brewers, and Rays, including a homer-friendly home park in Citizens Bank Park.

While the Reds and Red Sox rank among the least effective at limiting home runs, the Brewers and Rays boast strong pitching staffs. Crow-Armstrong and Schwarber remain the only viable contenders for the crown, with third-place candidates Matt Olson (39) and Hunter Goodman (38) facing uphill battles.

The race hinges on Crow-Armstrong maintaining his momentum in high-environment ballparks like Great American and Fenway while managing the challenges ahead.

In a recent retrospective, the film Santa Fe Trail (1940) has drawn criticism for its problematic portrayal of historical events and racial dynamics. Directed by Michael Curtiz and featuring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, the film inaccurately frames its narrative around a fictionalized Civil War subplot rather than the Western genre it implies.

The movie distorts historical figures like John Brown, portraying him as a hypocritical radical while sanitizing pro-slavery violence. Raymond Massey’s portrayal of Brown stands out as a compelling, if complex, performance that captures the character’s ideological fervor. However, the film’s racially insensitive dialogue and oversimplified moral narrative have rendered it a dated and troubling watch.

An analysis of the film’s trailer highlights its bias, emphasizing John Brown as “infamous” while lauding Union figures as “gallant.” The movie’s legacy reflects the era’s cinematic tendencies to prioritize unity over historical accuracy.

Continuing the tribute to John Coltrane, a collaboration with Duke Ellington from 1963 offers a moment of musical reflection. Their performance of “In A Sentimental Mood” showcases Coltrane’s softer, more nuanced side, accompanied by Aaron Bell and Elvin Jones.

The track serves as a poignant reminder of jazz’s enduring power to transcend historical divides, inviting listeners to appreciate its artistic depth.

Welcome to BCB After Dark, where conversations span sports, culture, and beyond. Join us as we navigate the final stretch of baseball’s regular season and explore the stories that define our shared passions.

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