Cubs' Suzuki joins exclusive history with 100th career home run

Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Cubs' Seiya Suzuki joins exclusive history with 100th career home run

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Jul 1, 2026 3:15 PM ET

When thinking of some of the great hitters to make the transition from Japan to Major League Baseball, Shohei Ohtani and Ichiro Suzuki are likely two names that quickly come to mind.

Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki is not a name that many would consider to be in that same category as Ohtani and Ichiro. However, Suzuki joined an exclusive list on Wednesday that includes the aforementioned great Japanese players.

Seiya Suzuki hits career home run No. 100

With a three-run home run in the first inning of Wednesday's game against the San Diego Padres, Suzuki collected home run No. 100 in his MLB career.

In doing so, he became just the fourth Japanese-born player in MLB history to reach at least 100 career home runs. Suzuki joined Ohtani, Ichiro and Hideki Matsui.

Seiya Suzuki CRUSHES career home run No. 100! pic.twitter.com/Ds1bxR5zki
— MLB (@MLB) July 1, 2026

The Cubs and Padres matched up in the 2025 NL Wild Card Series, and ever since then, Suzuki has feasted on San Diego pitching.

After his home run on Wednesday, Suzuki has torched the Padres to the tune of a .414 average and .828 slugging percentage with three home runs, seven RBI and a 1.247 OPS in eight games that include the wild-card series.

Seiya Suzuki is a huge part of the Cubs' recent turnaround

After falling into a slump at the end of May and into June, Suzuki, along with Pete Crow-Armstrong, has helped turn the offense around. Suzuki had a .315 average, five home runs and 21 RBI in June, each second most on the team.

In a year where he is set to be a free agent at the end of the season, Suzuki is lining himself up to earn a nice payday when the offseason and free agency begin.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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