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Pitcher, philosopher Shota Imanaga ready for ‘Go Cubs Go’ in return to Japan
“Hey Tokyo, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today.”
Those are not the exact lyrics from the 1984 Steve Goodman song “Go Cubs Go,” but Cubs fans can sing it that way when the Cubs play the Dodgers in Japan for a two-game series March 18-19 that will begin the 2025 MLB regular season. Chicago pitcher Shota Imanaga is slotted to start the opening game.
Imanaga recited lyrics from the song “Go Cubs Go” in his introductory press conference back in January 2024. The lefthander went on to have an outstanding first season with the Cubs, going 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA. He made the All-Star team, finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting and fifth in Cy Young voting.
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The Cubs and Dodgers will square off in what is called the Tokyo Series. Prior to that meeting, the Cubs and the Dodgers will each play exhibition games on March 15 and 16 against Japan’s Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers. All games will be played in the Tokyo Dome, home of the Giants.
When asked in a recent interview if he pitched well in the Tokyo Dome during his professional career in Japan, Imanaga said, “I’m not sure on the numbers, but I think I’ve given up pretty big home runs there.”
Through his interpreter Edwin Stanberry, Imanaga said that he was “very honored” to be selected as the Opening Day starter in Japan.
“I have to say, though, that the reason that the Japanese players are getting a lot of attention is because of all the players in the past that came before us, who created this path for all the Japanese players,” added Imanaga, who was especially inspired by Ichiro and Yu Darvish. “We’re walking on their history, so I want to say thank you to all of them, and I’m very excited.”
The two teams in the Tokyo Series also feature Japanese stars Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs, and Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and new arrival Roki Sasaki. Yamamoto will most likely face off against Imanaga in Game 1.
Imanaga was also asked about the differences of playing in front of Japanese fans, cheer songs, and if “Go Cubs Go” was a familiar song in Japan.
“In Japan, whichever team is hitting, whichever team is on offense, they have a cheer song for that team,” Imanaga said. “I’m not sure how that’s going to go with the Dodgers and the Cubs.
“They do have songs like ‘Go Cubs Go,’ Imanaga said. “But it's more so for the home team, home fans, when they’re hitting. They have a cheer song for each individual player. It’s so the team and the player can kind of be one, and be together.”
On whether or not people in Japan know the song “Go Cubs Go,” Imanaga said, “I think the core fans who know who I am, I think they would know.”
‘THE THROWING PHILOSOPHER’
Imanaga grew up in Fukuoka prefecture, Japan, and got his early training on the softball teams of his elementary and junior high schools. During his eight seasons with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars from 2016-23, Imanaga had a 64-50 record with a 3.18 ERA. Imanaga also pitched for the Samurai Japan team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and was credited with the win in the final game against the United States, allowing one run in two innings.
Imanaga’s nickname from Japan is “The Throwing Philosopher.” BayStar fans gave him this title because of the notable remarks Imanaga gave in interviews. For example, after tying the BayStars rookie record of 19 strikeouts yet still taking the loss in the game, Imanaga stated, “A good pitcher is not one who can get strikeouts, but one who can win.” Later, prior to a game against the Hiroshima Carp, the rookie said, “If you say that winning or losing comes down to luck, you will not grow in the future.”
Imanaga also wears his philosophies. While pitching for Komazawa University in Tokyo, Imanaga had the words “Adversity is the time to awaken” embroidered inside his Mizuno glove, where the palm of the hand is placed. As a Cub, after a tough outing against the Brewers on May 29 that gave Imanaga his first major league loss, he wore a cap that read “pressure makes diamonds.”
IMANAGA CARDS
Topps chronicled the then 30-year-old’s fast start in the majors last season through a number of Topps Now cards. On Jan. 12, 2024, the day that Shota introduced himself to the media with “Go Cubs Go,” a card was made available on the Topps website of Imanaga holding his new Cubs jersey. Later, at the start of the 2024 season, an April 1 Topps Now issue celebrated the southpaw’s nine strikeouts in his major league debut.
Other Topps Now cards gave notice to the historical significance of Imanaga’s impressive start. For example, a card produced just after his victory in Boston on April 26 is titled “1st since 1945 with 4-0 record, sub-1.00 ERA in first 5 games.” A later card, from May 7, reads on the front, “3rd lowest ERA through 1st 7 outings since 1913.”
On May 18, a Topps Now dual card was released featuring Imanaga with former Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela. This card, tying Shota-mania to Fernandomania of 1981, announces that Imanaga “has lowest ERA since Valenzuela through 9 starts.”
Like Valenzuela was in Los Angeles, Imanaga is a fan favorite in Chicago who took habits from Japan to the majors, such as bowing and tipping his cap respectfully towards home plate after receiving a new ball from the umpire.
There are now a plethora of different Cubs Imanaga cards out there to be had. A number of BayStar Imanaga cards made in Japan can also be found on eBay.
When asked about the popularity of collecting autographed memorabilia in Japan compared to the United States, Imanaga said, “I think there are differences on the business side of that, but in terms of comparing the two, I think that Japan has the same amount of passionate fans to collect memorabilia.”
— Matt Bosch went to his first professional baseball game in Japan 20 years ago and has been a fan ever since. He is a former teacher at a university in Japan and enjoys researching and writing about Japanese baseball."
