Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki Deflects Praise After Historic Start
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki is off to one of the hottest starts in franchise history — but you wouldn’t know it by listening to him. While fans and analysts alike marvel at his early-season dominance, Suzuki has remained characteristically humble, choosing to shift the spotlight to his teammates and the team’s overall effort.
Through the first month of the 2025 season, Suzuki has posted eye-popping numbers at the plate. He leads the Cubs in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging, and has already delivered several clutch hits, including a game-winning double against the Cardinals and a towering home run at Wrigley that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Yet when asked about his performance after the Cubs’ latest win, Suzuki downplayed his contributions.
“It’s not about me,” he said through a translator. “Everyone on this team is doing their job. The pitching staff has been amazing, and the guys in the lineup are making it easier for all of us to succeed.”
This isn’t the first time Suzuki has redirected attention away from himself. Since arriving in Chicago from Japan in 2022, the former Hiroshima Carp star has consistently emphasized teamwork and growth over personal accolades. But his start to the 2025 campaign is undeniably special — and historic. According to MLB stat trackers, Suzuki is among the few Cubs players in modern history to record multiple multi-hit games and reach base in 20+ consecutive games to open a season.
Manager Craig Counsell has taken notice.
“Seiya’s doing everything you want from a professional hitter,” Counsell said. “He’s disciplined, he’s confident, and he’s putting in the work behind the scenes. We’re lucky to have him.”
Suzuki’s success isn’t just a boost for the Cubs’ playoff hopes — it’s a statement about his evolution as a player. After battling injuries and some inconsistency in past seasons, Suzuki now looks like the cornerstone outfielder the Cubs envisioned when they signed him to a five-year deal.
Still, don’t expect him to bask in the spotlight anytime soon.
“We have a long season ahead,” Suzuki said. “The goal is to win as a team. That’s all I care about.”
For Cubs fans, that team-first attitude — paired with elite-level production — is exactly what they hoped for. And if Suzuki keeps this up, there might be no deflecting the praise that continues to come his way.