There’s another story hidden behind Seiya Suzuki’s viral “Mike Trout, I love you,” moment in his introductory press conference.
The press conference, in a packed media room at the Cubs’ spring training complex in Mesa, Arizona was also the first public appearance Suzuki had shared with his interpreter Toy Matsushita.
Joel Wolfe, Suzuki’s agent, was there with them and could tell how nervous Matsushita was.
“We were winding him up a little bit, like, ‘Toy, don’t don’t screw up,’” Wolfe said.
That playful ribbing didn’t quite put him at ease. But Suzuki found a way to break the tension.