Chicago Cubs Rookie Picks Iconic ‘Chelsea Dagger’ For Walk Out Song

Chicago Cubs Rookie Picks Iconic 'Chelsea Dagger' For Walk Out Song

New Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga loves the city so much that he’s branching out and choosing music with ties to other Chicago teams.

Shota Imanaga made his first start for the Chicago Cubs on Monday when they hosted the Colorado Rockies in their home opener on Monday.

Imanaga already endeared himself to Cubs fans back in January at the Cubs Convention, when he dropped the lyrics to Steve Goodman’s “Go, Cubs Go” in this introduction speech to Cubs fans.

Well, if that didn’t get Cubs fans completely on board with Imanaga as a Cub, well his walk out song probably did it.

Imanaga chose a song that practically everyone in Chicago can connect to — “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis.

The Fratellis, a Scottish band, released “Chelsea Dagger” in 2006 on their album “Costello Music.” Back then, the song was ranked No. 77 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.

Well, eventually the song made its way stateside and the Chicago Blackhawks adopted it as their “goal song” during the 2008-09 season and became a local sensation during their run to the 2010 Stanley Cup championship.

Imanaga made it clear how much he loved Chicago after he signed a four-year contract with the Cubs in January. In fact, Imanaga spent a few weeks in Chicago under everyone’s radar before he signed the deal. It became clear by Cubs Convention that Chicago was where the 30-year-old Japanese left-hander wanted to be.

Imanaga also chose No. 18 for his jersey, a number that recently belonged to Ben Zobrist, who was part of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series team.

So, Imanaga made his Cubs regular-season debut on Monday and, well, he endeared himself to Cubs fans further.

Imanaga took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before he wrapped up an outing in which he gave up two hits, struck out nine and walked none in six full innings.

It was the longest no-hit bid by a Cubs pitcher in his MLB debut since Amaury Telemaco on May 16, 1996. Telemaco, a nine-year big leaguer, also went 5.2 innings before surrendering a hit.

The Cubs won the game, 5-0.

Related Posts

Saturday’s Cubs-Pirates game goes into a rain delay after a wild sequence

Saturday’s Cubs-Pirates game went into a rain delay in the top of the fifth inning after a wild start to the inning. The game is slated to resume at 7 p.m. (CT). Rookie sensation Paul Skenes allowed a double from Mike Tauchman and an infield single to Seiya Suzuki. Kyle Nicholas came in for a relief appearance. He struck out…

Cubs Injury Update: Yency Almonte to IL with Shoulder Issue

Just when things were looking up for the Chicago Cubs, the injury bug has come back to bite them. After Dansby Swanson went on the injured list Friday, Yency Almonte joined him on Saturday.

Cody Bellinger contributes with four hits, including a home run, as the Chicago Cubs overpower the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2 – Sports Al Dente

Cody Bellinger had a standout performance with four hits, including his seventh homer of the season, leading the to a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates

Cody Bellinger delivers four hits, including a homer, as the Cubs surge past the Pirates 7-2

Cody Bellinger had four hits, including his seventh home run of the season, and the Chicago Cubs surged past the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2 on Friday night. Bellinger turned on a 100 mph fastball from Jared Jones (2-4) in the first inning and sent it into the right-field seats for the Cubs. Ian Happ and Chris Morel had two hits apiece for the Cubs, who have won four of six.

Friday night’s Cubs-Pirates game starts in a rain delay

Friday night’s Cubs-Pirates game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh will start with a rain delay, the team announced. First pitch was initially scheduled for 5:40 p.m. There currently isn’t a rescheduled time. Check back to this story for more updates.

Cubs activate Seiya Suzuki, place Dansby Swanson on IL with right knee sprain

Ahead of their first meeting of the season against the division rival Pittsburgh Pirates, the Chicago Cubs have made a pair of roster moves involving two of the biggest names on the roster.