Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Patrick Andres

Shota Imanaga Began Cubs Tenure by Riffing Team Fight Song, And Fans Loved It

Shota Imanaga Cubs Chicago Cody Bellinger

There are sports teams that are addicted to tradition, and then there are the Chicago Cubs.

This is a team, after all, that freely touts its ballpark’s status as a national historic landmark. It is the rare sports venue that makes spectators feel as if they are in each of the last 10 decades of American history at once.

Central to the Cubs’ ambiance at Wrigley Field is the song “Go, Cubs, Go,” written by folk singer Steve Goodman in 1984 and played after every Chicago home win. It is the fastest way to Cubs fans’ hearts, and new Chicago pitcher Shota Imanaga made use of it in his introductory press conference Friday afternoon.

“Hey Chicago, what do you say?” Imanaga opened his presser by reciting. “The Cubs are gonna win today.”

Imanaga played in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league for eight years, during which he made two All-Star appearances with the Yokohama Bay Stars.

Judging from the reactions to his opening salvo, Imanaga should have no trouble finding fans in the Windy City.

The presser served as a necessary balm after an offseason of change on the North Side, which included the shocking hiring of manager Craig Counsell away from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Sensing good vibes, Chicago fans appealed for the return of center fielder and first baseman Cody Bellinger on the heels of a plus 2023.

Perhaps a new love story is brewing at the Friendly Confines eight years after the Cubs’ last World Series title.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
“I said, Don’t f**k with me, Phillip! You can’t pull that s**t on me, you a**hole. This is me, Cher, okay?” That time producer Phil Spector pulled a gun on Cher, and Cher was in absolutely no mood for his nonsense
A Public Service Announcement for anyone who needs to hear it: Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to f**k with Cher, ever
Louder
Louder
NBA Champ Jason Williams Says Marijuana Enhances Creativity On Court But Not 'Good Idea' Before Game
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has not been testing players for marijuana use since April 2023. Some questioned the move, while others praised it, including rapper, cannabis entrepreneur and advocate Snoop Dogg. Former NBA player Jason Williams, who played from 1998 to 2011, said even if marijuana had been legal…
Benzinga
Benzinga
Why Ariana Grande will never return The Voice as a coach
The singer was on one season of ‘The Voice’ in 2021
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sean Penn accuses Academy Awards of cowardice at Marrakech Film Festival
Sean Penn has blasted the organizers of the Oscars of being cowards who, in effect, limit the kind of films that can be funded and made
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
"They wouldn't have a clue." Kiss bassist Gene Simmons believes that no-one aged 20 or younger can name a single song by Nirvana or Pearl Jam
Gene Simmons: "Ask the first young person you meet, 'Name me anybody in Pearl Jam.' Good luck with that"
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
Daddy Yankee and Mireddys González divorcing after 29 years of marriage
Daddy Yankee confirmed his wife Mireddys González filed for divorce.
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play