THE CLAIM
Viral social media posts and “clickbait” headlines have recently alleged that Chicago Cubs star Seiya Suzuki was spotted at a gay bar in Chicago with a high-profile LGBT model, despite reportedly being in Japan for off-season work.
THE VERDICT: FABRICATED
As of December 20, 2025, there is zero credible evidence to support these claims. No major news outlets, reputable journalists, or photo agencies have verified this story. All signs point to this being a completely fabricated narrative, likely designed to generate social media engagement through sensationalism.
THE REALITY: WHERE IS SEIYA SUZUKI?
- Official Travel: Suzuki is currently in Japan. This is a standard part of his off-season routine where he balances family time, high-profile endorsement obligations, and training.
- The Tokyo Series: Suzuki is currently in peak “work mode” as he prepares to lead the Chicago Cubs against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2026 MLB Tokyo Series. The historic two-game set at the Tokyo Dome (March 18-19) is a massive priority for Suzuki, who has stated he wants to be a “source of pride” for Japanese fans.
- Personal Life: Seiya remains happily married to former Olympic rhythmic gymnast and TV personality Airi Hatakeyama. The couple, who married in 2019, is famously private and focused on their young family.
SEIYA SUZUKI: 2025 IN REVIEW
| Stat | 2025 Performance | Significance |
| Home Runs | 32 | Only the 3rd Japanese player in MLB history to hit 30+. |
| RBIs | 103 | Career high; led the NL in RBIs through June. |
| All-Star Status | NL All-Star Snub | Widely considered the “loudest” snub of the 2025 season. |
| Role Change | Primary DH | Successfully pivoted to DH to accommodate Kyle Tucker in RF. |
WHY THESE RUMORS START
The MLB “Hot Stove” (off-season) is notorious for “fan-fiction” accounts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. These accounts often use AI-generated text or photoshopped images to create scandalous headlines involving international stars like Suzuki or Shohei Ohtani to drive traffic to non-credible websites.
Journalist’s Note: In the digital age, if a story sounds too “explosive” to be true—and isn’t being reported by ESPN, The Athletic, or MLB Network—it is almost certainly a hoax.
