Chicago – When Marcus Stroman appeared in an exclusive interview with The Athletic, Chicago Cubs fans were left breathless. Not only because he had just had an impressive season, but because of his emotional confession – as if it was a hidden message about the possibility of a reunion: “Chicago has always been where I feel like I belong.”
Marcus Stroman – who played for the Cubs from 2022 to 2023 – left Chicago with the regret of many fans. But even though he has gone through a new chapter in his career, he admits that most of his heart is still attached to Wrigley Field.
“I still remember the feeling every time I walked onto the field, hearing the crowd in the stands, it felt like family. In Chicago, you don’t just play ball – you live it,” Stroman shared.
He said that during his time away from the Cubs, he kept in touch with former teammates Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, and pitching coach Craig Breslow. “Every time I saw them play, I felt the urge. I don’t know if it was fate or nostalgia, but Chicago never left me.”
After leaving the Cubs, Stroman re-established his status with impressive form – an ERA of just 3.12 and 174 strikeouts in the 2025 season. Experts say he is still in the top 15 most efficient pitchers in the league.
However, instead of talking much about stats, Stroman spent most of the conversation mentioning “emotions” and “people” – things rarely seen in an athlete known for being strong and confident.
“I thought leaving Chicago was the right choice, to challenge myself. But the further I went, the more I realized that what I was looking for was not a new place – but an old feeling, something that only the Cubs have.”
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs management has not ruled out negotiating with Stroman for the 2026 season, especially in the context of the team looking for a veteran pitcher with experience leading a young rotation.
An anonymous Cubs official said:
“We have always respected Marcus. He left a big mark in the locker room, not only with his skills, but with his professional attitude. No one on the team would object if he returned.”
On social media, the hashtag #BringStromanHome suddenly spread among Cubs fans. Thousands of comments under his latest post were filled with messages: “Come home, Marcus!”, “Once a Cub, always a Cub!”
Stroman was a rare bright spot in a difficult 2023 season when the Cubs narrowly missed the playoffs. He was known for his fighting spirit, always yelling and encouraging his teammates after each strikeout.
“I grew up in Chicago. There, I learned that you don’t just play for yourself – you play for the city, for every fan who believes in you even in the worst of times,” he said, his eyes shining with pride.
In a rare moment, Stroman admitted that he still has the last Cubs jersey he wore at Wrigley Field – never washed, as a memento of his youth.
“I still have it in my closet. Every time I see it, I remember why I started playing baseball. Chicago gave me that feeling.”
With his consistent form, good health and special affection for the Cubs, everything is opening up a very real possibility for an emotional reunion.
Stroman closed the interview with a statement that left fans on the edge of their seats:
“I don’t know what the future holds. But if fate brings me back to Wrigley Field – I’ll be ready. Because that’s where I always feel I belong.”
If the Cubs decide to act this winter, then perhaps – the spring of 2026 in Chicago will begin not only with sunshine, but with Marcus Stroman’s familiar smile… back in the place he calls “home”.
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