Seiya Suzuki’s Full-Circle Moment: From Tokyo Dome Dreamer to Cubs Star in MLB’s 2025 Japan Series.vc

Chicago, October 27, 2025 – At 9 years old, Seiya Suzuki sat wide-eyed in the Tokyo Dome’s stands, mesmerized by Hideki Matsui’s warm-up swings before the New York Yankees’ 2004 season opener against Tampa Bay. A kid from Arakawa, Japan, clutching a glove and dreaming big, Suzuki never imagined he’d one day mirror his idol’s path. Fast-forward to 2025: Now a Cubs cornerstone, Suzuki will headline MLB’s sixth Japan Series, joined by teammate Shōta Imanaga, for two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tokyo Dome on March 18–19. For Suzuki, it’s more than a homecoming—it’s a chance to inspire a new generation, just as Matsui did for him. “I never thought I’d be the one opening the season in Japan as a Major Leaguer,” Suzuki said through a translator, his voice thick with awe. As Wrigley’s roar meets Tokyo’s thunder, the Cubs’ Japanese duo aims to electrify fans and etch their names in baseball’s global saga.

From Fan to Phenom: Suzuki’s Tokyo Roots

Suzuki’s journey is a love letter to Japanese baseball. A five-time NPB All-Star with the Hiroshima Carp (2013–2021), he slashed .315/.414/.570 over nine seasons, smashing 182 homers and earning three Gold Gloves. Signed by the Cubs in 2022 for five years, $85 million, Suzuki brought right-field flair: In 2025, he hit .277/.357/.466 with 20 HRs, 71 RBIs, and a 2.8 WAR, anchoring a playoff-bound outfield despite a late-season ankle tweak. His Tokyo Dome memories—cheers, taiko drums, the electric hum of 55,000 fans—mirror Wrigley’s frenzy. “It’s loud, alive, like Wrigley on a playoff night,” Suzuki told reporters Friday, grinning. “I want my teammates to feel that.”

The 2004 Matsui moment wasn’t just a game; it was a spark. “Seeing Hideki in pinstripes, I thought, ‘Maybe I can do that,’” Suzuki recalled. Now, as he steps onto the same diamond, he hopes to be that spark for Japan’s youth, especially facing Dodgers stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto—friends from NPB days whose rivalry adds spice. “There’s always tension with us Japanese guys,” Suzuki chuckled. “It’s going to be fun.”

Imanaga’s Star Turn: From NPB Ace to Cubs All-Star

Joining Suzuki is Shōta Imanaga, the 31-year-old lefty whose 2025 breakout (3.73 ERA, 117 Ks in 125.1 IP) earned him the Cubs’ lone All-Star nod, tossing a scoreless frame in Arlington. A two-time NPB All-Star with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, Imanaga signed a four-year, $53 million deal in 2024, delivering 15 wins and a 2.91 ERA as a rookie before a hamstring strain clipped his 2025. “I’m excited, but I don’t want to embarrass Japan,” Imanaga said, his translator catching the earnest edge. “I hope fans see us and dream big.”

Facing Ohtani (.310, 54 HRs in 2025) and Yamamoto (2.94 ERA, 202 Ks) isn’t just a game—it’s a cultural showdown. “We know each other’s moves,” Imanaga said, smirking. “They’ll love the battle.”

A Cubs Adventure: Counsell and Crew Embrace the Journey

For manager Craig Counsell, the Japan Series is a bucket-list thrill. “Baseball’s giving us something epic—an adventure,” he beamed, eager to share the Tokyo Dome’s intensity with his squad, fresh off a 92-70 NLDS run. The Cubs, with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Gold Glove flash and Ian Happ’s steady bat, see the trip as a bonding spark for 2026. “It’s like Wrigley, but with sushi and jet lag,” Happ quipped.

The series, MLB’s first Japan opener since 2019, carries weight: Past openers (2000 Cubs-Mets, 2004 Yankees-Devil Rays) drew sellouts, and 2025’s Ohtani-mania ensures a frenzy. Suzuki and Imanaga, both Tokyo Dome veterans, will guide teammates through cultural quirks—bullet trains, fan chants, and all-night karaoke. “I’m ready to show them my home,” Suzuki said, eyes gleaming.

On X, Cubs fans buzz: “Seiya and Shōta in Tokyo? That’s our Super Bowl!” while Japanese fans post: “Suzuki-san, bring Wrigley’s spirit home!”

Conclusion

Seiya Suzuki’s journey from a starry-eyed kid watching Matsui to leading the Cubs in the 2025 Tokyo Dome opener is baseball’s ultimate full-circle tale. With Shōta Imanaga’s splitter dancing and a Dodgers showdown looming, this Japan Series isn’t just a game—it’s a cultural torch-passing. Cubs Nation, pack your dreams: Suzuki’s ready to woo Japan, one swing at a time, proving heroes don’t just play—they inspire.