The Chicago Cubs landed in Tokyo expecting a warm-up. Instead, they got a wake-up call. Their bats took the night off, their pitchers offered batting practice, and a 20-year-old with a résumé thinner than a sushi roll made them look like amateurs. Meanwhile, an old friend in the opposing dugout enjoyed a poetic twist of fate.
The Exhibition games were a major part of the Tokyo Series not only for MLB players but for players in Japan as well. Many of the players had things to prove and show what the MLB teams have missed out on. But this story is about a manager and his redemption arc.
We are talking about the manager of Hanshin Tigers, Kyuji Fujikawa. Kyuji Fujikawa had a lot to prove against his former team Chicago Cubs and show what he could still do even if he was not a player. Fujikawa’s tenure at the Chicago Cubs did not go so well. He was signed by the Cubs in 2012 for a 2-year, $9.5 million deal. He was expected to be a big part of the Cubs’ pitching rotation and a key part of the bullpen.
During his time in Chicago, Fujikawa’s career became plagued with major injuries. In 2013, he had a major forearm strain and was placed on the IL. He did return in May but had a UCL injury and missed paying for 14 months. After this, the Cubs made a decision to release the pitcher, and he headed back to the Hanshin Tigers. He played for some years here and in 2024 he became the team’s manager.
After the game against the Cubs as a manager of the Hanshin Tigers, he will be satisfied with the result. He had coached the team so well that the Cubs could manage to get only 3 hits in the game. They could not get any runs on board and lost the game 3-0 to the Tigers. This shows the amount of talent Japan has in terms of pro baseball. Next, the Hanshin Tigers will be facing the Los Angeles Dodgers and this will be a fun game to watch.
Fujikawa’s redemption was complete, and the Cubs were left with nothing but excuses and empty bats. If this was a preview of their season, Chicago might want to extend its stay in Japan—to rethink some things. Meanwhile, the Hanshin Tigers march on, ready to test their mettle against the Dodgers. Buckle up, MLB—Japan’s best aren’t just here for a show.
Chicago Cubs ready to reclaim their legacy and make a statement
The Chicago Cubs have spent enough time reminiscing about their past glory—it’s time to rewrite history. No more excuses, no more rebuilding years. This season isn’t about participation; it’s about domination. With a sharpened focus and a hunger that rivals Chicago’s love for deep-dish pizza, the Cubs are stepping up to prove they’re more than just a legacy—they’re a force.
This season the Cubs are heading into the season with high expectations and a renewed approach. Even their manager, Craig Counsell said, “The way I see it is that the Chicago Cubs should be expected to be in the playoffs, and we should have those expectations every single year.”
While the exhibition game might not matter much, they will set a tone for their opening game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs will try out new things and will test things out before the 18th March game. This will give a good idea as to how the team will look and perform for the season. While Counsell says that the Cubs have focused on improving their pitching and offensive abilities, all the fans can only wait till they see the improvement.
The talk is bold. The expectations are sky-high, and the stage is set. Now, the Cubs have one job—back it up. If they truly plan to ditch the “rebuilding” label, there’s no better way than proving it under the bright lights of Opening Day. Playoff aspirations are great, but in baseball, promises mean nothing until the scoreboard says otherwise.
The post Kyuji Fujikawa Redeems Cubs Failure in Tokyo as 20-Year-Old Phenom Shines appeared first on EssentiallySports.