Chicago Cubs fans were ecstatic over Seiya Suzuki’s MLB debut as the right fielder bagged his first career hit against the Brewers.
The Cubs are entering a new era after parting ways with most of their World Series core over the last couple of seasons.
While the changing of the guard has been bittersweet, fans have something new and exciting to look forward to thanks to the addition of Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki.
On Thursday, Suzuki made his Wrigley Field debut and wasted no time impressing the crowd.
Here’s how Cubs fans welcomed their new star.
Seiya Suzuki gets a huge ovation as he steps up to the plate with Thunder by Imagine Dragons playing pic.twitter.com/vxvqKhVrDg
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 7, 2022
Welcome, @suzuki_seiya_sb! pic.twitter.com/TdygWR7e55
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 7, 2022
Cubs fans show Seiya Suzuki love on Twitter after first career hit
Suzuki showed great discipline at the plate by taking a walk on his first at-bat. When he came to the plate in the fifth, he sent a drive into shallow left field for the first hit of his MLB career.
First MLB hit for @Cubs rookie Seiya Suzuki! pic.twitter.com/ey8NekaacL
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 7, 2022
Seiya Suzuki scores the first Cubs run of the 2022 season!
— CHGO Cubs (@CHGO_Cubs) April 7, 2022
Seiya Suzuki with a walk and now a single to left for his first MLB hit. Save that ball!
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) April 7, 2022
Watching Seiya Suzuki get his first hit/score his first run pic.twitter.com/lrVsXI8Xe3
— Jake Of All Trades (@Snake__Plisken) April 7, 2022
seeing all the cubs congratulating seiya and hugging him after he came in to score >>>
— あや ניומן ✌🏼 (@bayareadirtbag) April 7, 2022
Seiya's SECOND plate appearance is a single.
— Infield Fly Girl (@infieldflygrl) April 7, 2022
We stan a complete hitter.
First of many, many Seiya Suzuki hits.
— Brendan Miller (@brendan_cubs) April 7, 2022
Burnes threw an 87 mph breaking pitch right where the catcher set up on the lower, outside zone. Seiya was slightly off balanced but has enough body and bat control to still line it into LF. That's impressive...
Suzuki also garnered praise for his base running. After his single, he took third on a Jason Heyward single, then scored from there on a Patrick Wisdom sacrifice fly.
Seiya Suzuki's sprint speed going 1st-to-3rd earlier was 29.2 ft/sec ... MLB average is 27 ft/sec. 🏃🔥🔥
— David Adler (@_dadler) April 7, 2022
In the sixth inning, Suzuki was walked and then again made it to third on a Heyward single when the Brewers misplayed the infield fly ball.
Suzuki was a five-time NPB All-Star, five-time Golden Glove honoree and six-time Best Nine award winner. Pursued by a multitude of MLB clubs, he decided on Chicago and signed a five-year deal worth $85 million.
Cubs fans were eager for his debut and he gave them exactly what was advertised with strong plate appearances and electric base running. The hope for Chicago is that the best is yet to come with Suzuki along for the ride.