Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele likes to keep things in perspective.

Early on in spring training, he, Cubs manager Craig Counsell and fellow pitcher Shota Imanaga were discussing a first bullpen session and the hoopla that surrounds those.

“Justin said he probably tried too hard on his first bullpen of the season, just on a backfield in Mesa, Ariz. and then we kinda bridged that to, what’s it gonna be like for Shota [on Opening Day in Tokyo]?’” Counsell told reporters before the finale of the Tokyo Series on Wednesday. “Steeley said, ‘Whenever I get over-excited, I try to tell myself that nobody will remember this in 100 years. Nobody’s gonna care what happened.’

“We use tricks like that to create relaxation for us and to allow us to perform. It’s a great perspective and I think it’s one that any performers have used as long as there’s performers.”

[READ: Cubs hope MLB Tokyo Series will help further grow their Japan presence]

It’s a simple mindset that allows him to relax in big situations and not let the moment get the best of him. But that doesn’t mean he totally tunes out. Steele understands accomplishments and milestones and has learned to appreciate them.

Like pitching in four different countries (USA, Canada, England and now Japan) or picking up his 500th strikeout, a milestone he hit in Wednesday’s loss to the Dodgers.

“I don’t take any of these moments for granted,” Steele told reporters after the Cubs loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday in Tokyo. “I’ve played baseball my whole life and to be able to play it on a stage like this, it truly means the world to me.

“To get my 500th career strike out here in Tokyo, it’s just something I’ll never forget. It’ll be something I’ll tell my kids and grandkids about.”

While he achieved a milestone, the results weren’t what he would have drawn up – he allowed five runs on four hits and two home runs in four innings of work in the loss. The focus for Steele now becomes on ramping back up for the resumption of the season next weekend in Arizona.

He’s hoping no one will remember the details of that start in Tokyo in 100 years – except maybe his family, but they’ll reminisce about the milestone strikeout and the event itself instead.