Shota Imanaga has Cubs and Bears fans ready to run through a wall with pregame outfit

Athletes often take on some of the defining characteristics of their team's home city, but few in recent memory have embraced it to quite the same level of Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga.

After all, he already comes out to 'Chelsea Dagger' by The Fratellis, a song that gained a foothold in Chicago during the Chicago Blackhawks' era of dominance in the early 2010s. That alone goes a long way with Cubs fans - but showing up like he did on Tuesday takes things to new heights.

Imanaga arrived to Wrigley Field on Tuesday donning iconic Jordan kicks and a Walter Payton Bears jersey, just days before the team opens its 2024 season behind rookie quarterback Caleb Williams at home against Tennessee. Anticipation of the NFL season is at an all-time high in Chicago, especially on the heels of Monday's back-breaking Cubs loss to the Pirates.

Of course, his work on the mound has endeared him to the Wrigleyville faithful. He's made the jump from Japan to the States near-seamlessly, only stumbling a handful of times during his impressive rookie campaign. He's made 25 starts, working to a 3.14 ERA - and, more importantly, the Cubs are 19-6 in his outings.

If Chicago is going to pull a rabbit out of its hat and sneak into the postseason with a scorching September, it'll take more of the same from the left-hander, who has checked just about every box imaginable in his quest to make Cubs fans love him. Only way we could love him more would be a superhuman finish to the season that ends with October baseball returning to Wrigley Field.