TEARS AT WRIGLEY FIELD: SHOTA IMANAGA SPEAKS OUT ON CUBS NOT RENEWING CONTRACT – “NO MATTER WHERE I AM, MY HEART IS STILL WITH THE CUBS”.Y1

Wrigley Field – a chilly autumn afternoon, where the rows of green seats had begun to thin out, but in that atmosphere echoed a sharing that made the whole of Chicago choke up. Shōta Imanaga, the Japanese left-handed pitcher who has become the new symbol of the Cubs spirit, has spoken out amid rumors that the team will not renew his contract after the 2025 season.

“I know the future is always changing… but the one thing that will never change is my love for the Cubs and the fans here,” Imanaga said, his voice cracking. “No matter which team I play for, my heart will always be in Chicago.”

The statement immediately went viral. Thousands of Cubs fans expressed their emotions, many posting pictures of Imanaga against a blue and white background with the caption: “Once a Cub, always a Cub.”

When the Cubs signed Shōta Imanaga at the start of the 2024 season, few expected him to quickly become the soul of the pitching lineup. With his disciplined, determined, and energetic style, Imanaga didn’t just bring wins – he also inspired focus and pride in the game.

“He was the first one on the field, the last one off the field,” said the Cubs pitching coach. “Nobody worked harder than Shōta. He taught the team respect for the game.”

Imanaga finished the 2025 season with a 2.91 ERA and 15 wins – one of the Cubs’ best numbers in the past five years. But what made him special wasn’t just his stats, it was the way he smiled after every hard pitch, bowed to the crowd after every game – a Japanese culture that was ingrained in the heart of Chicago.

But just days after the season ended, news broke: The Cubs might not exercise Imanaga’s contract extension, in part due to budget and the direction of the roster’s restructuring.

Although there has been no official confirmation, the news is enough to make the Cubs fan community “restless.” Many people call this a “decision that could make the whole city regret.”

When asked about the future, Imanaga just smiled sadly:

“I will respect any decision. But I want the fans to know – I loved this place with all my heart. I felt the love that Chicago has for me, and I will carry it with me forever.”

The reporter said that after the interview, Imanaga lingered on the field for a few minutes, looked up at the empty stands and put his hand on his heart, as a silent goodbye.

Although his future is still a question mark, Shōta Imanaga has left a deeper mark than any contract.

“The Cubs are not just a team, they are a family. And I know – no matter where I go, I will always carry the image of Wrigley Field in my heart.”

It wasn’t a goodbye, it was a promise – a promise from a man who understood what it meant to love a team completely.

And perhaps, when the lights of Wrigley dim, Cubs fans will remember the image of Shōta Imanaga – with his gentle smile, bowing to the crowd – as a part of Chicago, forever.