Shota Imanaga joins MLB Central!

Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga joins MLB Central to discuss his stellar start to his Cubs' career, adjusting to life in Chicago, and more.
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[@Brian_Boru]

Damn, I love all the Japanese big leaguers. Their presence has added such an exciting dimension to the MLB over the years and it keeps getting better.

[@user-qp9eh6ns7r]

👍💪🎌♥️🎉⚾🥇🏆

[@jasmymakemeyen666]

Able to watch their Japanese pro players on national TV and they are phenomenal....their HS players taught fundamentals like no others

[@SW-fi5sk]

Thank you for MLB, team mates and fans! As you guys accept as they are, they show their potential!!❤本当にありがとう！

[@wilburwood8261]

He reminds me of a certain pitcher. Rookie Southpaw Non-American pitcher less than 6 feet tall Started the season better than 5-0 (actually 8-0) He won the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young that year, 1981

[@Gilvids]

They bring in asian fans. Or mlb is dead

[@dc241284]

after listening to his answers, i finally understood why his nickname is philosopher

[@MaybeMyBad0113]

詩的表現に富んでいます。

[@joachimogereau4531]

the red light thing cracked me up🤣🤣

[@KenjiMapes]

😆

[@theechoesawakeningsportssh7595]

Most foreigners do find that strange.

[@joachimogereau4531]

@@theechoesawakeningsportssh7595 alos just wondering how he is driving in the US. Do they get their licence converted from Japan, considering its the other side of the road too.

[@theechoesawakeningsportssh7595]

@@joachimogereau4531 No, typically they have to take the tests and pass it just like everyone else. Shota here is probably referring to people driving him around. Especially since he’s doesn’t speak English yet, and hence can’t read the road signs.

[@MyLife-og2kr]

Shota will be great. I want him to win a cy young, if not, be in the contention for a cy young.

[@kako3975]

アメリカでは知られていないけど、実は今永投手はチームが苦しい時に打つ、チャンスに強いバッターでもあるのです😀 今永先生、大好き。

[@jaxokream]

We Chicago cubs fans really appreciate him! ❤ my favorite player

[@ONAKingdom]

The rain stole Imanaga one win

[@user-ib6jv1zy9g]

The interpreter seems to be great. He seems to know not only both Eng-Jpn well but also baseball terms well.

[@user-qo9bm3bi1o]

He actually can hit like ohtani. Hopefully, Chicago will find it soon. You have great pinch hitter.

[@okisktr7898]

He’s a great hitter too. Hope they use him as a pinch hitter some times as well!

[@masaya6403]

The Interpretation is great!

[@user-mn3wv3by6l]

通訳すごいな。 こんな一瞬で、相手に分かりやすいように言い換えたりしてる。でもニュアンスが変わりすぎないようにも注意してる。

[@BRuh-gv3rk]

一平のクズ通訳とは天と地の差だな

[@CyrilJap]

言語によって声のトーンが変わるし、完璧すぎる通訳者

[@pocyomkin37]

しかもどっちがアスリートかわからんくらいゴツイしイケメン笑

[@CarlosRodriguez-vh3in]

Japanese players are really talented and cool to watch love form USA

[@user-wk6np7iy4r]

ベイスターズ時代からのファンです。現地メディアで取り上げられている姿が本当に嬉しい！ プレーでもそうですが、こういったインタビューでも浮足たたず気負わず自然体、時にちょっぴりユーモアも交えて答えている今永投手、ベイ時代から変わってないな、と思います。 これからもどんどん活躍していってほしいし応援し続けます！

[@keunsoo2000]

This dude is funny!

[@hirolinblack3076]

頭良いからね　真面目な顔と語り口調で面白い事を言うから好き

[@user-rv4og9um1z]

今永は日本でも面白いことを言うキャラクターで人気者になりたいと思っていましたが、チームメイトにホーム球場で迷子になる天然物の面白い奴がいたので、面白いキャラクターは諦めて真面目な奴になることにしたそうです

[@kennybegeske8824]

​@@user-rv4og9um1z Shotgun Will Becoming Rookie Of The Year

[@Iverson8811]

I love this guy even I’m rooting for the dodgers. He’s fun too watch

[@user-ze8fr9tr3h]

通訳のエドウィンさんもいいね！

[@user-cu4mv5hv6k]

本当に些細な感情部分を言語変換するって大変そうですよね。日本人選手の活躍と同時に一連の件もあり通訳の方も応援したいです。

[@bobloblaw9362]

Shota is the man. Such a fun personality. Go Cubs, go!

[@milanv69]

bro talking about taking a right at red lights lmaooooooooo

[@jasmymakemeyen666]

Try going thru Japan's red light intersections with a green arrow displayed now that is trippy scary the very 1st time 😂

[@milanv69]

@@jasmymakemeyen666 i wouldn't dare try to drive thru Japan by myself, i just know i would mess up somehow lmao

[@neco_bot]

as a Japanese,I agree with Imanaga 😂

[@jasmymakemeyen666]

​@@milanv69passing driver license testing was even worse took me 3x to pass as their instructors are like military commanders expecting 100% perfection or else you fail 😂

[@milanv69]

@@jasmymakemeyen666 here in the US, i got my license on my 16th birthday. my driving instructor for my test was a skinny old short woman. i think she may have fallen asleep during the test. maybe even a couple times? 🤣

[@JuliatteJ]

Go Shota! 🇯🇵🇺🇸

[@noelvalenzuela963]

Glad to have him in the best league

[@mamamamume1]

今永投手頑張って下さい応援しています。

[@takafumiyabe4163]

アメリカに13年いましたがこの通訳さん一平レベルにすごいですよ。

[@aayada-retire]

わかります。まじでうまい

[@KInoue-it6kg]

上手いですねー

[@danalawton2986]

I live in Japan... and of course we drive on the left side of the road, and as he referred to, you can't turn left on a Red light in Japan with one exception... you can on a U.S. Military base, of which I was on one yesterday to play Disc Golf with some military friends.

[@nagasako7]

And in Japan there is way more pedestrians and cyclists so thats why law is no turning while cross light is red. The law makes no sense in America but there's always people in turning blind spot in JP

[@danalawton2986]

@@nagasako7 I agree with you for the big cities but rural Japan and small towns, you don't often see bicycles or many people walking the roads. However to implement "left turn anytime" you'd probably need to spend a lot of money putting up signs indicating it was OK.

[@halflanding1900]

Great interview, good questions. Thanks for the upload! Perfect answer about showing emotions, that basically he tries not to show them but because they can reveal weaknesses and be used against you, but they probably just come out inadvertently when he’s genuinely in awe of the batter he faces or the defense by his teammates.

[@skytheblue3924]

Oh my I love this guy! Go Shota!

[@certifiedben7343]

If shota can keep this up he would be in a conversation for roty and cy young

[@user-hv4ve2ll2s]

地元ファン、メディアに愛されてるのが伝わってくる😊

[@imyme4098]

先生、素晴らしい！　現地メディアとの適度にエンターテインメント入ったこういうやり取りはいいなぁ😄

[@wei1ye317]

豪華なディナーやな

[@user-tl4xg5cj6j]

今永より通訳さんの方がマッチョなの草😂

[@user-cg4ld6qv4l]

こうやって日本人選手が注目されるってとても嬉しいですね✨ これからも素晴らしい活躍を期待しています👍

[@kennybegeske8824]

Congratulations Shotgun

[@BDizDaBest]

Funny how the interpreter looks more like a professional athlete and Shota looks more like a professional interpreter. Great pitcher though. Dominated my Mets.

[@tonygavros3499]

They asked great questions.

[@user-hl4bg4le8d]

外国で交通事情の違いでも事故に会わないのは適応力の凄さだと思う。何でも現場で経験してみないと🤷‍♂️解らないのは有るよね。

[@dmarcellus]

Shota is the best ! Go Cubs !

[@buklao]

That red light comment is soooo random 🤣🤣

[@0202068103]

This guy is great! He should be on my team (the O's).😄😁😆🙂

[@julianoenomoto4829]

Excelente jogador

[@KenjiMapes]

Wish my Mets were shrewd enough to sign him. The Cubs outwitted the rest of MLB by signing him to a deal which is a huge 4-year value & near bargain as compared to the 12-year $320million contract Yamamoto got. Dude really lives up to his Nickname in Japan, the “Throwing Philosopher.” Now Imanaga might be 5 years older than 25-year old Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but he doesn’t rely on triple digit gas to be good. He has longevity in his blood which bodes well for his team & his career. He is a true pitcher with impeccable control & knows how to pitch. What a steal. It’s a long season with the always attendant peaks & troughs, but dude has a chance for Rookie of the Year AND the Cy Award😮🫨 Good luck Shota even from a Mets fan. Cubs Nation, looks like you got a good one🙂👍

[@38ch10]

このインタビューいいねー こういうのしてくれるの、MLBに認められたってことだよね！

[@mirai3856]

Chicago 今永昇太 Shota ♡ 🇯🇵 日本から 皆さん 応援してるよ💙 frome TOYOTA nagoya city 🇯🇵 Japan 🌸 ㊗️ 🐞 🍣 🥂

[@user-dg1ft1oy4x]

ショウタ👍ショウタ✌ショウタ😍

[@41shot]

通訳の人の体がすごいな。

[@Lexyboogie]

Japan and Central America finna take over the whole league someday

[@danalawton2986]

As long at the top league in the world is in the USA... that is fine! We'll take as many great players as you have and love them like our own!

[@shinoshino7732]

今永オモロい😂😂😂素手でいいね！！謙虚なところも好感もてる！

[@franzdoreza5230]

That was fucking funny. So Japanese, little bit dark, little bit funny. Nice delivery.🙏

[@SW-fi5sk]

怪我だけ気をつけて！とにかくチームの皆さん、ファンの皆さんと共に楽しく頑張り抜いて欲しい！ 通訳の方もとても的確且つスムーズで素敵ですね！どうかショウタを宜しくお願いします！

[@CazYokoyama]

オレゴンに住んで２７年ですが、Washinton DCでは赤信号で右折できないのを初めて知りました。

[@user-uz7vh9xh2j]

カリフォルニア州のRiverside市では交差点はショートカットするひとが多くて信号は通過しませんでした。

[@TheAerialgreen]

NYCもできないと思う。ちなみにオレゴンは赤信号で左折もできる場所があってびびった

[@CazYokoyama]

@@TheAerialgreen 流石に左折はできる所でもしたくないですね。信号は、飛行場のATCのように、アドバイスなのでしょう。

[@bunta792]

yeah, ive lived in america my whole life and I thought you could take a right turn on every red light unless there is a sign that says not to

[@love-un2tf]

今永投手おめでとう🎊 本当にビックリです🤩 これからも応援してます🔥

[@jyeakky6354]

赤信号で　GOだとさすがにビックリするよね

[@Reedman-yy6fl]

大谷の「かなと思います」の用心深いインタビューと対照的。米国人には受けるね。

[@user-nc8wx7ct4v]

「かなと思います」は英訳されないのでご心配なく。

[@RajDeelish]

4 year , $53,000,000 contract is a heck of a deal!

[@fatman24271]

For his level of pitching insane deal for usa but i looked up the avg wages in japan league its SUPER LOW that’s probably why lot of these Japanese players come to the states avg japan player wage is 350k mlb is 4.9 million!

[@ianmiguel642]

CY IMANAGA

[@nopainnogain1221]

Call him Profesor Imanaga

[@epicsupergeneration8017]

I'm glad i know Japanese, and this interpretor is accurate and great! He is better than ohtani's current interpretor (not ippei), he's terrible at translating!

[@neohubris]

yeah his translation was on point way better than Ohtani's translators

[@red23rd]

Thia guy is awesome, he is just like Mr.Miyagi

[@MrSlimneo]

Man, the interpreter is Jacked

[@tnleung1]

More than Shota. Making him look bad 😂

[@kazuoishi9339]

Let’s hope he doesn’t like gambling lol

[@briangriffin69]

Sus comment

[@kennybegeske8824]

Shotgun Gets Some English Lessons

[@ciello___8307]

He cant play ball like shota though lol

[@joshdodson555]

I've been in Japan for the past two years and the driving etiquette is way more convenient here than in the states.

[@burningknuckle26]

Shota!!

[@user-rv4og9um1z]

隠し芸を要求されて明らかに狼狽える今永かわいい

[@user-qv2kz1dv5f]

今永の通訳は良いですねぇ。オータニの通訳より断然聞きやすいし的を得た訳し方をしている。

[@jun3504]

わざわざ一平を比較に出さなくていいだろ

[@TheAerialgreen]

@@jun3504一平はかなり良かったよ。新しい通訳のことでは？彼は確かに上手いとは言えない

[@lesadults]

山本由伸の通訳とか全然違う意味に誤訳してたしな

[@user-up3pp2uu4p]

今永の通訳は良いで終わってれば良いコメントなのに

[@jlsaiutea3698]

大谷選手の日本語自体があいまいな感じだったので、一平さんの通訳は優れていたと思いますよ。

[@carbajal4732]

Welcome to Chicago brotha

[@sportgeek2028]

🐐🐐

[@WINNERXDD]

He is so funny😂😂

[@HaRUhisEMp]

I’m rooting for dodgers and shota 😃

[@38ch10]

今永さんて、なんか、話してる内容とか、素敵だよねー

[@user-yz4ki2uz7m]

👍の飾り物がたくさんもらえる活躍を期待してます

[@kmr2986]

大先生マジスゲー🎉 バッターボックス・打者目線だと球の出どころが見えにくいのかな？ メジャー相手にキレもあるけど、ストレートでの三振とれるのスゲー😂

[@user-yx6gv8mm8s]

Is that the batter next to pitcher Imanaga? His physique is so amazing that it's hard to believe he's an interpreter. 

[@user-zq4he9sh7q]

彼は元野球選手でキャッチャー

[@miguel.ledesmaledesma1790]

My Mets dropped the ball big time here. Not only us,but the other usual big spenders. The cubs are cheap, so for the cubs to get him,and for so cheap a price ,shows the lack of interest there was for this great pitcher. Congrats to the cubs and their great fan base.

[@user-dg1ft1oy4x]

ショウタ⚾ボーイズ❤

[@kuuchan0503]

イチローなら怒って帰るようなインタビューでも真摯に受け答える先生すてき

[@user-vh8uh9qo5y]

そんな失礼な質問あったか？ いつまでイチローネガティブキャンペーンやっとんねん

[@tqtr123]

the giants signed SNELL over THIS GUY? Jesus christ.

[@gabrielsantiago6656]

Right? 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️ And all the money they gave him, god I’m pissed

[@Kenzo-es7qc]

最後に英語で自分のメッセージ伝えるのは最高ですわ。

[@markusmarkus6900]

Great Player, but the comparison to yamamoto is not really fair since shota is 5 years older

[@VannTheDawn]

Yeah, and Yamamoto has shown glimpses of that brilliance he showed in the NPB. He needs more reps, his last 3 years in the NPB, he was essentially playing on easy mode.

[@bunta792]

yeah, yamamoto is still doing well too. people were quick to put him down bc they hate the dodgers and he got a big contract.

[@David.560_-]

Only 53 million

[@HANEKAWAhaorenoyome]

ちゃんと守備してくれてて驚いてる顔なのか😊

[@gaddygadd]

ベイs・・

[@osaka_oji]

​@@gaddygadd 😅😅😅

[@sportgeek2028]

Roy and cy young

[@osaka_oji]

‪👍🏻👍👍❤

[@upordown7960]

He is like a shy version of Munenori Kawasaki 😅

[@FSch.]

最近バウアーからの電話が止まない今永

[@user-xl4ub4kz2n]

As he says, even I, who have been watching since the Japanese era, am surprised. He was an average pitcher. But it's only been a month. What's next is important. 頑張れ今永🇯🇵

[@fujisan1111]

ベイスターズを抜け出せて伸び伸びしてやがる！w

[@user-ye3mr2se3t]

代打今永待ってます！

[@riko3118]

通訳の人マッチョやな

[@keyos27]

元独立リ-グのキャッチャーです。

[@user-zy1ok3hr1p]

@@keyos27海外の独立リーグなら生きた英語に多く触れてくるだろうし納得やね。しかもリーグのレベルが違えど野球をしてる環境に慣れてるから通訳にピッタリ。

[@riko3118]

二人とも詳しいんだね。 ありがとう

[@shimufindmyselfhunchingove5321]

最所に赤信号持ってくるあたりさすがショータ

[@miguel.ledesmaledesma1790]

I am curious 👀 to see how MLB hitters will adjust to him. Scouting reports are being made as I am writing ✍️ this.

[@gregory8538]

But the thing is I think imanaga can make mid game adjustments like few can...he sees batters making adjustments to him an adjusts right back like he said in the interview he saw something not working well Ann made an adjustment mid game

[@miguel.ledesmaledesma1790]

@@gregory8538 Good point👍🏾.

[@user-go5rp8fb1z]

大リーグボール2号の準備は出来てます。

[@user-xl4ub4kz2n]

There are many other excellent pitchers in Japan. Please come to Japan and do your research. We should increase the number of scouts specializing in Japan. This is because baseball is Japan's national sport, just like the Dominican Republic and Cuba.

[@user-zb3mp9wp3u]

ショタ！今永！

[@calmick6017]

大谷選手の元通訳よりも、的確且つ聞きやすい通訳さんですね。

[@danalawton2986]

But he does add some words of his own... but that is to be expected.

[@user-oc9cz7dr2l]

うまいね、通訳さんの英語。あのくらいぺらぺらだったら楽しいだろうな。

[@bay1221]

マエケン・千賀・鈴木誠也と食事行ったのか！いいねーなんかうれしい

[@dxraaaaa]

LA Dodgers should have signed Shota Imanaga. Instead of James Paxton.

[@skimshr]

通訳ええ身体してるやんw

[@philarends7555]

Pitch hand award? Who named that?

[@shota2]

インタビューがおもろい

[@user-hl4bg4le8d]

ブルーの色が流行るね。

[@lingling1444]

最後トロフィー持って欲しそうだったね。あのまま置いて行きそうな今永先生w

[@okuto777]

メジャーはスプリット中心に目線が向いている、即ち低め。ボール高め目線に修正するには時間が必要、しかし修正する打者はほとんどいないと思われる、本格的に高めで投げてくる投手は少ないからだ。今永の次に投げる選手は、低めに投げるので打者は打ちにくい。今永の良さは、自分を追い込むほど力が出る選手、プレッシャーに強い投手は少ないと思う。