MESA, Ariz. — A bashful smile crossed Seiya Suzuki’s face at the mention of his viral moment.
Eleven days ago during his introduction as the Chicago Cubs’ new right fielder, Suzuki revealed his admiration for Los Angeles Angels superstar outfielder Mike Trout. When asked why he chose to wear No. 27, Suzuki replied in English: “I love you, Mike Trout.”
The lighthearted response generated nearly 1 million views from just two of the many video snippets circulating Twitter.
When the topic is broached after Monday’s workout at Sloan Park, Suzuki couldn’t help but momentarily cover his face with his hands, a modest grin still peeking through.
“I don’t like to be trending a lot,” Suzuki told the Chicago Tribune through interpreter Toy Matsushita. “I don’t like to be well known.”
It didn’t take long for Suzuki’s comment to make its way to No. 27. Trout was watching the first round of the men’s NCAA Tournament that day when an alert popped up on his phone about Suzuki’s remark. Friends texted him about it too.
“It means a lot because you know you’re making an impact over there and making an impact on somebody’s life,” Trout said to the Tribune. “Ever since I started playing this game and making an impact on people, it’s signing autographs, playing hard every day. You never know who’s watching and obviously he was watching. It’s pretty special, pretty cool.”
Trout, though, was already well aware of the Japanese star prior to Suzuki’s declaration. A few days before Suzuki signed with the Cubs, Trout asked teammate Shohei Ohtani and interpreter Mizuhara Ippei about the 27-year-old outfielder and looked up his numbers from Nippon Professional Baseball. Trout came away impressed and is looking forward to meeting Suzuki.
“I look back and I was the same way when I came up — I was a big Albert (Pujols) fan, a big Torii (Hunter) fan, a big Vernon (Wells) fan,” Trout said. “It’s just one of the things in the part of my career right now where I’m that guy. So, it’s special, it’s awesome.”
Relayed Trout’s comments, Suzuki smiled while expressing gratitude that the three-time American League MVP knows of him. The two outfielders have never played against each other on the international level. And they aren’t expected to cross paths until next year when teams play a new balanced schedule, setting up the first Cubs-Angels series since 2019. Although the Angels are slated to play at Sloan Park on Saturday, their starters are unlikely to make the trip for Los Angeles’ final Cactus League game on getaway day back to California.
The March 18 press conference moment was more than a glimpse of Suzuki’s humor, more than paying homage to one of the best players in Major League Baseball history. It hinted at the root of Suzuki’s own excellence. Suzuki first became aware of Trout in 2015. Hiroki Kuroda, a former Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees right-hander, returned to Japan to play for the Hiroshima Carp in 2015 where he was teammates with Suzuki, who was then a 20-year-old entering his third professional season.
Suzuki had always wanted to be a five-tool player. Kuroda showed him a video of Trout, who at that time was coming off his first MVP season, and told Suzuki he represented the type of player to model his game after.
“In order for me to not lose my motivation, I just kept on trying to get on Mike Trout’s level and that’s why I’m here right now,” Suzuki said. “That’s why I’m a good player. I’m just trying to get better every day. I haven’t reached his level yet.”
Suzuki’s aspirations extend beyond striving for greatness. He also desires to embody what Trout represents off the field as well. Suzuki heard from Ohtani that Trout is a great person, and he wants to learn from him.
“I feel to get to where Trout is at you have to be a good person too,” Suzuki said.
Suzuki’s talent has been apparent from his first swings in a Cubs uniform. The quick adjustments from one at-bat to the next in live batting practice, the seemingly effortless home runs sprayed to all parts of the field during BP — small things that show why the Cubs invested a five-year, $85 million contract on Suzuki. He puts in the work, all while a half dozen cameras follow his every move during drills and games.
As stormy clouds loomed Monday afternoon, Suzuki returned from batting practice at Sloan Park with his outfield group. The complex was largely quiet ahead of a road night game, save for the handful of fans yelling Suzuki’s name as he returned to the clubhouse. Less than two weeks before opening day, he is embracing the opportunity ahead.
“There’s no pressure,” Suzuki said. “That’s my passion. Baseball is something I like, something I enjoy so there’s no pressure at all.”
