Latest news with #ChelseaDagger
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Long hair and hot dogs: Meet the Japanese baseball stars making their mark on the Cubs
CHICAGO — Last year, Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga wowed fans when he took the mound at Wrigley Field for Chicago's home opener before going on to have a stellar season — Imanaga's first in the majors. The pitcher, also known as the 'Throwing Philosopher,' went 15-3 for the Cubs in 2024, racking up 174 strikeouts to go along with a 2.91 ERA. The 31-year-old had previously played professionally in Japan from 2016 to 2023. Advertisement In the States, Imanaga soon became a fan favorite not only for how well he pitched, but also for his charisma, sense of humor, and his long, flowing hair. 'You're saying I have the best hair?' a laughing Imanaga told NBC News through a translator when asked about his free-flowing locks. 'My teammates, if I'm drying my hair, if I'm combing my hair, they compliment me, telling me I have beautiful hair,' Imanaga said. 'But my mom and my friends are like, it's probably time to cut your hair.' It's not only the hair that's helped Imanaga endear himself to the Wrigley faithful. During his rookie year, the pitcher decided on 'Chelsea Dagger' as his walk-up song, a tune more famously known in Chicago as the goal song for the NHL's Blackhawks, dating back well over a decade to the hockey team's heyday. Advertisement 'When I first got to the Cubs, I think a lot of the fans were, 'Who is this pitcher?'' Imanaga said. 'And so for me, it was really important to get acclimated with the team, with the fans. What was important was to pick something that all the Chicago fans love.' Imanaga's countryman, outfielder Seiya Suzuki, employs a similar ethos when asked about his favorite ballpark food, saying he would have to go with hot dogs, 'especially' considering the team he plays for. Suzuki joined the Cubs in 2022 after a nine-year career in Japan, and he and Imanaga have since played key roles in helping turn around the team's fortunes. After back-to-back losing seasons, Chicago posted two winning records in each of the last two years. Suzuki and Imanaga have become global stars in the process and are part of a growing Japanese presence in Major League Baseball. In April, the Cubs opened the season in Tokyo against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who feature three Japanese-born players in Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. Advertisement 'When I was younger, I watched baseball in the U.S., and I thought it was really cool,' Suzuki said. 'So if when I'm playing and the fans in Japan, even if it's one extra person gets to watch, and they want to come to the U.S. to enjoy baseball or something like that, I think that'd be great.' While both Suzuki and Imanaga have pushed the right buttons with their home fans, Chicago's current objective is to get Imanaga back on the mound. He hasn't started a game since May 4, when he left a start against the Brewers with a hamstring injury. The Cubs placed Imanaga, whose jersey is the team's most popular this season, on the 15-day injured list the next day. He's currently progressing toward a return in early June, ramping up his rehab with some bullpen work. Chicago is currently first in the NL Central. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cubs' Shota Imanaga Sends Message to Chicago Fans Amid Pending Return From Injury
Cubs' Shota Imanaga Sends Message to Chicago Fans Amid Pending Return From Injury originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Coming over to America for the first time is never easy for any player in Major League Baseball. For left-hander Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs, one of the top starters in the game, there were things he had to learn. Advertisement However, Imanaga did everything the right way, trying to win over Chicago fans the best he could. As a result, many in the Windy City love him, and it's easy to see why. Not only has he thrown to the likes of a 2.89 ERA in his career, but Imanaga is awesome on and off the field. He's always cracking jokes, having fun with his teammates, and seems to want to win, most importantly. When speaking with NBC News, he talked about what Chicago fans have meant to him and how he wanted to win them over when he first joined the team. Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) walks toward the mound to be checked out by a trainer after being injured against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at American Family McLoone-Imagn Images He admitted that Cubs fans were probably wondering who he was as a player and person, but it was essential for him to get acclimated with the ball club. Advertisement 'When I first got to the Cubs, I think a lot of the fans were, 'Who is this pitcher?'' Imanaga said. 'And so for me, it was really important to get acclimated with the team, with the fans. What was important was to pick something that all the Chicago fans love.' His comments came after he had the song "Chelsea Dagger" as his walk-up song, a tune known in Chicago as the goal song for the Chicago Blackhawks, per NBC. Imanaga hasn't thrown in a game since May 4, but is expected to return sometime in the near future. When he does, the Cubs should be an even better team, already leading the National League Central and attempting to run away with the division before it is even July. Related: Cubs Listed as Prime Trade Candidate for Padres' Former First Round Pick This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
NBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Not everyone is a fan of Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga's long hair
CHICAGO — Last year, Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga wowed fans when he took the mound at Wrigley Field for Chicago's home opener before going on to have a stellar season — Imanaga's first in the majors. The pitcher, also known as the 'Throwing Philosopher,' went 15-3 for the Cubs in 2024, racking up 174 strikeouts to go along with a 2.91 ERA. The 31-year-old had previously played professionally in Japan from 2016 to 2023. In the States, Imanaga soon became a fan favorite not only for how well he pitched, but also for his charisma, sense of humor, and his long, flowing hair. Watch 'NBC Nightly News' tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT. 'You're saying I have the best hair?' a laughing Imanaga told NBC News through a translator when asked about his free-flowing locks. 'My teammates, if I'm drying my hair, if I'm combing my hair, they compliment me, telling me I have beautiful hair,' Imanaga said. 'But my mom and my friends are like, it's probably time to cut your hair.' It's not only the hair that's helped Imanaga endear himself to the Wrigley faithful. During his rookie year, the pitcher decided on 'Chelsea Dagger' as his walk-up song, a tune more famously known in Chicago as the goal song for the NHL's Blackhawks, dating back well over a decade to the hockey team's heyday. 'When I first got to the Cubs, I think a lot of the fans were, 'Who is this pitcher?'' Imanaga said. 'And so for me, it was really important to get acclimated with the team, with the fans. What was important was to pick something that all the Chicago fans love.' Imanaga's countryman, outfielder Seiya Suzuki, employs a similar ethos when asked about his favorite ballpark food, saying he would have to go with hot dogs, 'especially' considering the team he plays for. Suzuki joined the Cubs in 2022 after a nine-year career in Japan, and he and Imanaga have since played key roles in helping turn around the team's fortunes. After back-to-back losing seasons, Chicago posted two winning records in each of the last two years. Suzuki and Imanaga have become global stars in the process and are part of a growing Japanese presence in Major League Baseball. In April, the Cubs opened the season in Tokyo against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who feature three Japanese-born players in Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. 'When I was younger, I watched baseball in the U.S., and I thought it was really cool,' Suzuki said. 'So if when I'm playing and the fans in Japan, even if it's one extra person gets to watch, and they want to come to the U.S. to enjoy baseball or something like that, I think that'd be great.' While both Suzuki and Imanaga have pushed the right buttons with their home fans, Chicago's current objective is to get Imanaga back on the mound. He hasn't started a game since May 4, when he left a start against the Brewers with a hamstring injury. The Cubs placed Imanaga, whose jersey is the team's most popular this season, on the 15-day injured list the next day. He's currently progressing toward a return in early June, ramping up his rehab with some bullpen work.
