Imanaga, Crochet are the Chicago all-star reps
Shota Imanaga never lets a language barrier get in the way of a good joke.
After the Cubs were told the Japan-born pitcher would represent the team at the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas, Imanaga stood up, took a step forward in the clubhouse and said, “Ladies and gentlemen,” as if he were about to make a formal speech in English.
It drew laughs from his Cubs teammates.
“He always throws a little joke in there somehow, some way to make us laugh,” Cubs first baseman Michael Busch said. “He was pretty happy, everybody in the organization is so happy for him.”
Imanaga wasn't done joking around. When he spoke to reporters a few minutes later, he added this thought through translator Edwin Stanberry.
“I will say having the support of my interpreter (was vital),” Imanaga said. “I think if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have made it. So the fact that we're going together, I'm very happy.”
The White Sox also got one all-star representative and, of course, it was starting pitcher Garrett Crochet. Manager Pedro Grifol had to make the announcement after a tough, walk-off loss in Miami.
“When everybody on the planet thought he was a reliever, he said, 'No, I'm a (expletive) starter,'” Grifol said on a video released by the White Sox. “Not only are you a starter, you're one of the best, if not the best starting pitcher in Major League Baseball right now — and a major league all-star.”
Crochet's acceptance speech was brief, and included shout outs to catchers Martin Maldonado and Korey Lee.
“I thank the defense, Maldy and Korey,” Crochet said. “I wouldn't be here without you guys.”
Crochet leads the majors in strikeouts with 146 and boasts a 3.08 ERA. He could make a decent case for being the American League starter, but Baltimore's Corbin Burnes or Detroit's Tarik Skubal are likely the favorites to get the nod.
One issue for Imanaga is he's on schedule to start the Cubs' final game before the break in St. Louis. It's possible a long outing next Sunday could keep him off the field for the All-Star Game.
Imanaga, 30, is technically a rookie, though he pitched eight years as a pro in Japan. He's 7-2 on the season with a 3.16 ERA, becoming the Cubs' first all-star rookie since Kris Bryant in 2015.
“It feels like there's a joy to the way he competes,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said of Imanaga. “I think we all are a little jealous of that, the way we see him compete. At least I am. It's really fun to watch.”
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