Shōta Imanaga is looking forward to the transition to the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs
Shōta Imanaga has been formally introduced by the Cubs a day after he finalized a $53 million, four-year contract
CHICAGO (AP) — On a snowy afternoon in downtown Chicago, Shōta Imanaga pulled on a Cubs cap and a crisp, pinstriped No. 18 jersey in the middle of a hotel ballroom.
Then the left-hander quickly made a bunch of new friends.
“Hey Chicago, what do you say? Cubs are going to win today,” Imanaga said in English, reciting a couple of lines from the song “Go Cubs Go” much to the delight of a group of fans on hand for his first press press conference with his new team.
Imanaga was formally introduced by the Cubs on Friday, a day after he finalized a $53 million, four-year contract. Nicknamed “The Throwing Philosopher,” he went 7-4 with a 2.80 ERA in 22 starts last season with the Yokohama BayStars of Japan’s Central League, finishing with 174 strikeouts and 24 walks in 148 innings.
