When the Chicago Cubs stormed into the 2025 National League Division Series on Friday night, Wrigley Field was roaring with energy — champagne showers, reporters jostling for quotes, players laughing through soaked jerseys. Yet amid the raucous celebration, a single piece of paper written in a child’s handwriting became the night’s most unforgettable moment.
That note — scrawled in blue pencil on a folded scrap — read simply:
“I’ll be a brave Cubs warrior like you, Dad.”
Those words came from the son of Cubs star Seiya Suzuki, and within minutes, they melted hearts across baseball — and far beyond the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley.
An Emotional Centerpiece Amid the Chaos
As reporters packed the Cubs’ clubhouse, Suzuki stood quietly in front of his locker, still wearing his grass-stained uniform. He wasn’t spraying champagne. He wasn’t shouting in triumph. Instead, he was holding that small note, now smudged from his wet hands.
“I’ve experienced many great moments in my career,” Suzuki told reporters, his voice unsteady. “But nothing compares to the feeling of hearing that from my son.”
The Japanese outfielder — who’s become a beloved figure in Chicago for his humility and quiet intensity — had just helped the Cubs clinch their spot in the NLDS with a clutch two-run double in the seventh inning. But the moment that broke him wasn’t on the field. It was from home, where his six-year-old son had stayed up late in Tokyo, watching every pitch with his mom.
A Letter That Crossed an Ocean
Suzuki’s wife, Airi, captured the note on camera and texted it to him moments after the final out. The young boy had stayed awake until dawn Japan time, clutching his miniature Cubs cap and whispering encouragement into the television. When the Cubs won, he grabbed a crayon and wrote his message in a hurry.
By the time Suzuki saw the note in the locker room, the team’s victory playlist was already blaring. But everything around him seemed to fade.
“Sometimes you think of baseball as just a game,” he said later. “Then something like that reminds you why you play — who you play for.”
From Hiroshima to Wrigley: The Journey of a Family
Suzuki’s journey to this point has always been steeped in dedication and sacrifice. Before joining the Cubs in 2022, he spent nearly a decade with the Hiroshima Carp, where he became one of Japan’s most electrifying hitters. Moving to the United States wasn’t just a career shift — it was a family leap of faith.
“Seiya always wanted to prove himself here,” said teammate Nico Hoerner. “He talks about wanting his son to grow up seeing that dreams are worth chasing, even if they take you across the world.”
The Cubs’ veteran players often joke that Suzuki brings a “calm storm” to the clubhouse — rarely loud, but fiercely competitive. “He’s the kind of guy who’ll stay late in the cage, not because anyone tells him to, but because he wants to honor the game,” said manager Craig Counsell. “When we saw that note, a lot of guys got quiet. It reminded us what all of this means.”
Social Media Erupts with Emotion
Within an hour of the story breaking, the image of Suzuki’s son’s handwritten message went viral. The Cubs’ official X (formerly Twitter) account posted it with the caption: “From one brave warrior to another.”
The post racked up over 2 million likes overnight.
Fans flooded the comments with emotional reactions:
“I’m not crying, you’re crying. Go Cubs!”
“This is why we love sports — it’s about family, legacy, and heart.”
“As a dad, this one hit hard. What a beautiful moment.”
Even MLB’s official account chimed in, calling it “The most touching moment of the postseason.”
In an age where viral clips often focus on spectacular plays or heated rivalries, Suzuki’s story stood out for its sincerity. There was no staged camera shot, no PR polish — just a father, a son, and a message that spoke to every parent watching.
A Human Side to a Game of Giants
Baseball has always been a sport woven with emotional moments — from Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech to Ken Griffey Jr. hugging his father on the same field. Yet, moments like Suzuki’s bring the human heart of the game into sharp focus.
“Players are superheroes to fans,” said former Cub and current analyst Dexter Fowler. “But when you see something like this, you remember they’re also dads, sons, and husbands. That’s what makes it powerful.”
For Suzuki, who has often spoken about the challenge of balancing family and baseball across continents, this moment was more than sentimental. It was a reminder that his sacrifices had meaning — that the little boy watching from half a world away understood why his father worked so hard.
The Locker Room Reaction
Inside the Cubs’ clubhouse, even the toughest veterans were visibly moved. Dansby Swanson, who’s known for his fiery competitiveness, reportedly patted Suzuki on the back and said, “That’s the kind of win you can’t put on the scoreboard.”
Later, teammates taped a photocopy of the note above Suzuki’s locker — a quiet tribute that stayed up as they packed for the next series.
“That paper meant more than the trophy,” said reliever Adbert Alzolay. “It reminded us that every swing, every inning, connects to something bigger than baseball.”
Fans Find Their Own Reflection
Across Chicago, fans found personal meaning in the story. Parents shared photos of their children’s hand-drawn notes, teachers used the story in classrooms to talk about perseverance and love, and one Cubs fan wrote, “My dad taught me to love this team. Now I’m teaching my son. This story feels like us.”
In neighborhoods from Wrigleyville to the suburbs, the story spread not as a headline, but as a shared feeling — a sense that baseball, at its best, mirrors the love and lessons of family.
Looking Ahead: The Cubs and the Next Chapter
As the Cubs prepare to face the Dodgers in the NLDS, Suzuki remains focused. But the meaning of his son’s message lingers.
“I told him that being brave doesn’t mean never being afraid,” Suzuki said. “It means doing your best, even when you are.”
That sentiment, simple yet profound, mirrors the ethos that has long defined Chicago baseball — resilience, faith, and family. And as the Cubs chase another October miracle, that little blue note will travel with them, tucked into the pocket of a player who carries both a nation’s pride and a father’s heart.
A Final Image: Beyond the Game
Late that night, as reporters cleared out and the champagne smell began to fade, Suzuki walked out of the clubhouse holding his son’s note. He folded it carefully, slipped it into his wallet, and smiled.
No cameras. No crowd. Just a father, quietly thinking about his family on the other side of the world — and a promise written in blue pencil that had touched millions.
Because sometimes, in baseball as in life, the smallest voices echo the loudest.