Last night, after the Cubs and Giants game at Wrigley Field, Seiya Suzuki did not return to the locker room as usual. He quietly walked towards the press box, where he proactively requested to speak. A silence fell over the auditorium, as if everyone sensed something was wrong.
With a trembling voice, red eyes and hands tightly holding a small note, Suzuki choked up:
“I want to share this not to get people’s pity, but to rely on the strength of everyone’s love and faith… My son – Haruto – is only three years old, and has just been diagnosed with a rare disease. He is fighting every day in the intensive care unit. As a father, I feel helpless… But I have to be strong, for him, for my family, and for those who have always believed in me.”
Immediately after the news spread, social media and the MLB community fell silent for a moment. Players, coaches and fans from all over sent their prayers and encouragement to Suzuki and his family. Wrigley Field – where Suzuki’s powerful hits often resounded – was left with only the silence of sharing today.
Seiya Suzuki is not only a star of the Cubs, but also the pride of Japanese baseball. He always plays with all his passion and dedication. But behind the image of a hero on the field, there is a young father struggling with unspoken pain – when having to witness his little son fighting the disease.
A source from the Cubs team revealed that Suzuki still maintains his playing schedule, does not miss any practice sessions, even though he sleeps next to his son’s hospital bed every night in Chicago.
“He comes to the field early in the morning, practices hard, and then goes straight back to the hospital after the game. He has never asked for a day off. That makes us admire him even more,” a team member emotionally shared.
On his personal Instagram account, Suzuki posted a photo of Haruto’s small hand holding his finger, with a short caption:
“My little warrior. Dad is always with you.”
In the fierce world of sports, where achievements and fame can overwhelm everything, Seiya Suzuki’s story reminds us that athletes are also human, with losses, worries and pain like everyone else. They do not only fight on the field – but sometimes, there are silent but resilient battles behind the scenes.
For Seiya Suzuki, the most beautiful swing right now is not on the field. It is the faith and love he has for his family – especially for Haruto – his son who is facing the line between life and death every day.
And we – the fans – will always be here, praying with him.