Chicago Cubs Rookie Picks Iconic 'Chelsea Dagger' For Walk Out Song

New Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga loves the city so much that he's branching out and choosing music with ties to other Chicago teams.

Apr 1, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) pitches / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Shota Imanaga made his first start for the Chicago Cubs on Monday when they hosted the Colorado Rockies in their home opener on Monday.

Imanaga already endeared himself to Cubs fans back in January at the Cubs Convention, when he dropped the lyrics to Steve Goodman’s “Go, Cubs Go” in this introduction speech to Cubs fans.

Well, if that didn’t get Cubs fans completely on board with Imanaga as a Cub, well his walk out song probably did it.

Imanaga chose a song that practically everyone in Chicago can connect to — “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis.

The Fratellis, a Scottish band, released “Chelsea Dagger” in 2006 on their album “Costello Music.” Back then, the song was ranked No. 77 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.

Well, eventually the song made its way stateside and the Chicago Blackhawks adopted it as their “goal song” during the 2008-09 season and became a local sensation during their run to the 2010 Stanley Cup championship.

Imanaga made it clear how much he loved Chicago after he signed a four-year contract with the Cubs in January. In fact, Imanaga spent a few weeks in Chicago under everyone’s radar before he signed the deal. It became clear by Cubs Convention that Chicago was where the 30-year-old Japanese left-hander wanted to be.

Imanaga also chose No. 18 for his jersey, a number that recently belonged to Ben Zobrist, who was part of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series team.

So, Imanaga made his Cubs regular-season debut on Monday and, well, he endeared himself to Cubs fans further.

Imanaga took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before he wrapped up an outing in which he gave up two hits, struck out nine and walked none in six full innings.

It was the longest no-hit bid by a Cubs pitcher in his MLB debut since Amaury Telemaco on May 16, 1996. Telemaco, a nine-year big leaguer, also went 5.2 innings before surrendering a hit.

The Cubs won the game, 5-0.