Cubs Star Pete Crow-Armstrong Shared His Surprising Connection to Hayden Panettiere in Resurfaced Interview

**Pete Crow-Armstrong Reflects on Childhood Connection to Hayden Panettiere**

In the world of Major League Baseball, Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong has revealed an intriguing link to the late actress Hayden Panettiere, which has come to light following her recent passing. Crow-Armstrong, a promising centre fielder and two-time All-Star, recounted his fond childhood memories of being babysat by Panettiere during an interview that resurfaced in the wake of her untimely death.

In a 2022 discussion with NBC Chicago, Crow-Armstrong shared that his mother, Ashley Crow, who played Sandra Bennet on the popular superhero series “Heroes,” often invited her co-stars to babysit her son. This arrangement allowed young Pete to form a unique bond with the show’s cast members, particularly Panettiere, who he fondly described as “the coolest one.”

“I had the biggest crush on her,” he reminisced, reflecting on his childhood admiration for the actress who portrayed Claire Bennet, the adoptive daughter of Crow’s mother’s character over 41 episodes from 2006 to 2010.

Growing up in Southern California, the influence of Hollywood was not lost on Crow-Armstrong, whose father, Matthew John Armstrong, is also an actor. Notably, he had a guest role on “Heroes” in 2006, playing Ted Sprague, a character adept at manipulating radiation. Despite his parents’ involvement in the entertainment industry, Crow-Armstrong insisted that they encouraged him to focus on baseball.

“We didn’t live in Hollywood. We didn’t live under any spotlight,” he explained, highlighting his parents’ efforts to ensure he had a childhood that felt disconnected from the entertainment business. Their intent was clear: they wanted him to grow up away from the pressures that fame can bring and instead channel his passion into sports.

Crow-Armstrong’s upbringing has evidently shaped his career. Now at 24, he finds himself not only a front-runner for the National League Most Valuable Player award but also fulfilling a dream he expressed four years prior. “I think I just try and stay myself,” he said, indicating that despite the spotlight now surrounding him, he remains grounded and focused on the game he loves.

The baseball star appreciates the simple joys of life and sports, stating, “Cameras are cameras, man. I’m just being me. I’m here to play baseball.” This down-to-earth attitude seems to serve him well as he navigates the pressures of being both a professional athlete and a public figure.

The connections between Crow-Armstrong and Panettiere reflect the often-unexpected relationships formed through the intertwining worlds of sport and entertainment. While their paths diverged in significant ways, the memories of his time with Panettiere clearly remain a cherished part of Crow-Armstrong’s narrative and are a testament to the human connections fostered in the most unlikely circumstances.

As the baseball season unfolds, fans will undoubtedly be watching Crow-Armstrong not only for his athletic prowess but also for the character and humility he brings to the field. His journey is a reminder that even in the spotlight, personal connections and cherished memories play a vital role in shaping who we become.