Move over, Sammy Sosa — you’ve got company.
In a dominant 11–0 victory over the rival St. Louis Cardinals, Seiya Suzuki carved his name into Cubs lore, becoming the first Chicago Cub since Sammy Sosa in 2001 to notch 25 home runs and 75 RBIs before the All-Star Break.
Yes, you read that right. It’s been 24 years since Wrigley Field witnessed that kind of offensive firepower this early in the season — and this time, it comes from a player who wasn’t even born in the U.S.
Suzuki, who’s quietly piecing together an MVP-caliber season, went 3-for-5 with a towering blast in the fourth inning and four RBIs on the night. His season totals now stand at 25 HR, 77 RBI, and a .298 batting average — eye-popping numbers for any player, but especially so for a guy who was snubbed from this year’s All-Star roster.
“Not really disappointed,” Suzuki told reporters postgame. “There are a lot of great DHs out there. I just used it as fuel.”
If that’s what a snub does to him, opposing pitchers might want to duck for cover.
Just hours after the All-Star announcements were finalized, Suzuki responded not with words — but with thunder. And while most players might express their frustration, Suzuki opted for dry humor:
“Yeah, I’m busy next week. Nah, just kidding,” he grinned.
With the All-Star break looming, Suzuki now joins the rarest company in Cubs history, echoing Sosa’s scorching 2001 first half — the year “Slammin’ Sammy” had 33 home runs and 86 RBIs by mid-July. But where Sosa was spectacle, Suzuki is sharp-edged consistency. Less fireworks, more surgical strikes.
Still, the numbers don’t lie: Suzuki’s season is beginning to feel historic.
The Cubs, now firmly in Wild Card contention, are finding their offensive heartbeat in Suzuki — a player who was supposed to be steady, but has blossomed into elite. With 10 games remaining before the break, could he push past 30 HRs and 90 RBIs?
Sammy did it. Now Seiya just might too.
And if you’re still sleeping on him?
Better wake up. Because Seiya Suzuki isn’t just playing baseball. He’s rewriting Cubs history.