Tokyo (AP) The question was straightforward. Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga was asked what he would say to persuade countryman Roki Sasakito to join his team during a press conference held Monday at the US Embassy in Tokyo.
The most sought-after pitcher in this season’s free agency, Sasaki, will be leaving Japan to join an MLB team the following season. The Cubs are one of six teams that are thought to be his likely destination.
Imanaga was seated at a table next Rahm Emanuel, the American ambassador to Japan. Seeing an opportunity for tact, he intervened to prevent Imanaga from making an awkward response.
Emanuel remarked, “I know the world is dying to know and they’re just going to keep guessing.” I am currently going to be his (Imanaga’s) lawyer. He isn’t responding to that query. His agent will be me. won’t occur. I’ll disconnect his microphone.
Regarding the microphone, Emanuel was making a joke. His allegiances, however, are obvious.
He loves the Cubs. He was the mayor of Chicago in 2016, the year the Cubs won their first World Series in almost a century. Additionally, he mentioned on Monday that during his time in Congress, he represented the Wrigley Field region.
As Imanaga sat calmly to his right, Emanuel remarked, “It’s not really fair to put another player that plays for the Cubs on the spot to answer that question.”
Imanaga was invited to the embassy to promote the U.S. Global Entry system, which Japan is the 18th country to join and allows tourists to receive faster clearance upon arrival. The ceremonial first Japanese person to register was Imanaga. He also sports the Cubs’ No. 18.
Emanuel’s tenure as ambassador is nearly finished due to the shift in U.S. presidential administrations. He stated that he is unable to only represent the Chicago Cubs in his current position.
“I can cheer for one of those many baseball teams that play in the States in about eight weeks,” Emanuel continued. I’m glad that he (Sasaki) will be visiting the US right now as I sit here in front of you. Although I have a personal favorite, I am unable to act in that capacity as ambassador. Although I’m not saying it, you can read what the bubble above my head is saying.
And Imanaga wasn’t either.
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