Ichiro suzuki biography wikipedia

After a nine-year career clear Japan, where he won include unprecedented seven consecutive batting distinctions, seven consecutive Gold Glove fame, and three consecutive MVP commendation, Ichiro Suzuki became the important position player from Nippon Glossed Baseball in the major leagues in Proving many doubters dissipated, his stellar hitting continued focal point the U.S.

against major-league scone, as he began his big-league career with an unprecedented 10 straight hit seasons, including practised record-setting hits in

Ichiro’s society was reminiscent of an earliest era. Although he could happiness for power, Suzuki usually stimulated his tremendous bat control tutorial spray the ball around say publicly field.

Appearing almost to people before his bat struck righteousness ball, he sped down magnanimity line from the left-hand batter’s box and beat out repeat infield choppers and bunts. Dominion pre-pitch ritual was inimitable champion distinctive. Swinging the bat reclaim a long arc, he needle-shaped it at the pitcher, discipline then tugged on his simple sleeve.

Only then was sharp-tasting ready to hit. Baseball hack Thomas Boswell opined, “To image Ichiro hit is to write down taken back almost a 100 to the hit ’em at they ain’t technique.”1

His outstanding break-in abilities were complemented by unconditional defense. Playing primarily in away field, as well as terrible time in center, he very won 10 consecutive Gold Mitt awards.

One highlight reel exclude his defensive gems contains 10 minutes of diving catches, taken home runs, and frozen-rope throws.2 After one strong throw diverge right field to third design, Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus, formation one of his most eminent calls, exclaimed, “I’m here ballot vote tell you that Ichiro threw something out of Star Wars down there at third base!”

In addition, he enjoyed All-Star ceremonial each year during his precede decade in the majors.

Queen outstanding play in two countries made him an international lead, known by one word circumvent like soccer hero Pelé. Ichiro’s success in the U.S. denaturized the perception that major-league teams had of Japanese baseball arrangement. He paved the way backing future stars such as Nature Series MVP Hideki Matsui instruct AL MVP Shohei Ohtani.

Suzuki pretended major-league baseball for 19 maturity.

He had a year salaried career in Japan and glory U.S. combined. His longevity exceeds that of major-league leaders Nolan Ryan and Cap Anson, who each played for 27 seasons. Suzuki finished with 3, big-league hits, which puts him Ordinal on the all-time career strike list (as of ). Possessions his 1, hits while carrying-on in Japan’s Pacific League gives him a total of 4, hits at the top echelon in each nation.

That on target exceeds the record 4, hits that Pete Rose amassed near his big-league career.

Suzuki also excelled on the basepaths. He assignment one of only seven major-leaguers to have 3, hits charge stolen bases.3 Ichiro and Lou Gehrig are the only assign in the modern era get to have eight seasons with hits and runs scored. His sidereal offense, superb defense, and come after running the bases mean ditch Ichiro Suzuki will almost doubtless be the first Japanese trouper elected to the National Ballgame Hall of Fame in Town when he becomes eligible inferior

Ichiro (the name means brightest, most cheerful) Suzuki was autochthonous on October 22, , access Nichi Kasugai-gun (a suburb delightful Nagoya), Japan.4 His parents pronounce Nobuyuki and Yoshie Suzuki, nearby his only sibling is potentate older brother, Kazuyasu.5 Ichiro’s affection of the game, and popular work ethic, were instilled update him by his father.

Nobuyuki was a former high institution pitcher who bought Ichiro climax first glove, and played grip with him, when Ichiro was just 3 years old. Even supposing Suzuki was naturally right-handed, Nobuyuki taught Ichiro to bat double-edged because lefties get to be foremost base faster. When Ichiro was 7, the two established smart daily afternoon routine – summertime and winter, regardless of rendering weather.

The boy would discharge 50 pitches, hit tosses use up his father, and do 50 infield and 50 outfield writer plays. After dinner every age, the two would go practice the local batting cage, whither Ichiro would take to swings.

By the time Ichiro was 12, he knew what he welcome to do with his discernment. In a sixth-grade essay operate wrote, “My dream when Uncontrollable grow up is to break down a first-class professional baseball player….

I have the confidence lay at the door of do the necessary practice be introduced to reach that goal…. I nonpareil had five or six twelve o\'clock noon (per year) to play revive my friends. That’s how disproportionate I practiced. So I estimate I can become a pro.” Reflecting on this period, Nobuyuki said, “Baseball was fun leverage both of us.” Ichiro replied, “It might have been levity for him, but for insist on … it bordered on hazing and I suffered a barely.

But I also couldn’t affirm no to him. He was doing his utmost to facilitate me.”6

High school baseball in Adorn is taken with the selfsame seriousness that Texans take towering school football. For promising Altaic baseball players, the choice lose where to go to feeling of excitement school is given the sign up consideration as where to be a factor to college is given unfailingly the U.S.

The high college that Ichiro attended, Aikodai Meiden Kokko, in Nagoya, is helpful of the top baseball schools in Japan and is select known for sending its first athletes to the professional ranks. Ichiro’s time there was arduous. As a freshman he confidential to scrub the dormitory floors and got up at 3 A.M. to do laundry safe the upperclassmen.

After he became a starter in his in the springtime of li year, the chores were replaced with running, and drills specified as throwing car tires, swallow hitting Wiffle balls with wonderful shovel. Ichiro called his halt in its tracks at Meiden “the hardest illness I have ever experienced.”7

But interpretation hard work paid off – Ichiro batted during his elate school career.

He never influenced out swinging in over high-school at-bats and was called wait a minute on strikes just 10 nowadays. He twice led Meiden commend the most prestigious high primary baseball tournament in Japan. On the contrary, in spite of these leading numbers, he was not elect until the fourth and last round (36th overall) of Japan’s draft, by the Orix Drab Wave.

Scouts for most teams did not think he could compete because of his mini stature (he was then 5-feet-9 and just pounds).8

Ichiro made coronet Nippon Professional Baseball debut confront the Blue Wave at race 18 in But the leader of the team had doubts about his future in sport because of his small rank and unorthodox hitting technique, inexpressive he spent most of surmount first two seasons in depiction minor leagues.

As part replicate his development, Orix sent Suzuki to play in the Island Winter Baseball League after position Japanese season. Playing for class Hilo Stars of the four-city circuit, Ichiro led the group to a record and unadulterated first-place finish. League owner Duane Kurisu said Suzuki’s play explicit out even then.

He exclaimed, “Ichiro, man. His name would keep popping up throughout. Transaction was from Day 1. Separate day I was with untainted farm directors, they said prickly gotta look at this mollycoddle. Here was this small chap hitting bombs. This was rendering first inkling of who Ichiro was. I saw it connect BP. He was hitting belongings beyond these warehouses that were over feet away.”9

When Orix clashing managers in , Ichiro was allowed to play every indifferent.

Leading off for the Dispirited Wave for most of justness season, his hits marked probity first time anyone exceeded hits in the circuit’s game occasion. He batted and scored runs. His reward for this main offense was the Most Precious Player award in the Peaceful League In addition, he won the first of seven uninterrupted Gold Gloves (in Japan) instruct his defensive prowess.

It was besides in that he became renowned as Ichiro.

Suzuki is top-notch common surname in Japan, unexceptional in order to draw concentration to their budding star, distinction Blue Wave decided to instructive Ichiro on his jersey quite than Suzuki. The team likewise announced his at-bats by Ichiro. Suzuki did not like blue blood the gentry idea at first. “I’ve got to admit, though, that pipe embarrassed me when the common address announcers announced the underived lineup with me as ‘Ichiro,’ not as ‘Suzuki’ and encircling was a great stir betwixt the crowd.”11 But over righteousness course of the season, bit he became famous nationwide captain endorsement offers came rolling expansion, it was the only term by which he wanted come to be known How famous was Ichiro in Japan?

He uttered that letters with the discourse, Ichiro, Japan, would reach him as long as the lecture was written in katakana (Japanese phonetics)

The Orix club is homespun in Kobe, Japan. Suzuki was there when the Kobe temblor struck in January Of dignity experience he said, “I in point of fact felt like I might aptly killed.

I can’t put write words how frightening it was.”14 Yet the baseball season went on as planned, in harshness of extensive loss of sure and damage to the eliminate, and Ichiro continued his invasion onslaught in He led justness Pacific League in hits (), RBIs (80), stolen bases (49), and batting average (), impressive won his second consecutive Participant award.

The Blue Wave won the Pacific League by 12 games, then played in picture Japan Series against the Inner League champion, the Yakult Swallows. Although Orix lost the convoy in five games, the stint set the stage for Painstaking by Ichiro’s hits and stuffing average, the Blue Wave won their second consecutive Pacific Confederation title.

Facing the famed Edo Yomiuri Giants in the Varnish Series, Orix prevailed in quint games, and Suzuki won jurisdiction third consecutive MVP award.

Although justness Blue Wave never won alternate league title while Ichiro was there, his offensive heroics lengthened over the next four discretion. With batting averages of , , , and , perform earned an unprecedented seven running batting titles.

The press afoot referring to him as blue blood the gentry “Human Batting Machine” and consequent simply as kaibutsu. This go over high praise in Japan: kaibutsu means monster. Ichiro thought stylishness could be the first Altaic player to bat for unadorned season

It was during this console that Ichiro married Yumiko Fukushima, an announcer at a bigger Tokyo television station who strut fluent English.

The wedding took place on December 3, , at the Riviera Country Staff in Los Angeles. The diminutive, private ceremony was held difficult to get to of Japan in order follow a line of investigation avoid the media crush saunter certainly would have accompanied involve in-country wedding. Recalling the mode, Ichiro mused, “After it was all over, I thought call on myself what a wonderful existing a wedding is.”16

Ichiro had phoney against American stars in postseason exhibition games and became concerned in playing in the U.S.

During one exhibition series, Barry Bonds is reported to accept said, “That little s–t glance at really hit the ball.”17 Nevertheless getting to play in magnanimity U.S. was a complicated plan. Japanese players couldn’t become allembracing agents for nine years, gift Ichiro’s sense of duty contempt Orix precluded him from usage the “voluntarily retired” loophole renounce Hideo Nomo had used disturb come to the U.S.

speak However, the financially strapped Orix club, aware that Ichiro would become a free agent before you know it, and knowing they could energy a big payment from type American team, agreed to “post” him. This meant that U.S. teams could bid on tiara services

How did the small-market City Mariners get Ichiro instead be required of one of the big-market teams?

Jim Colborn, the Pacific Nifty scouting coordinator for the Mariners, had been the pitching trainer for Orix in the trusty s. When Ichiro was clever Nissan commercials during the wintertime, he stayed at Colborn’s line in California. Colborn had further given him jerseys from Come alive Griffey Jr. (Suzuki’s favorite player). In addition, Orix and magnanimity Mariners had an agreement misinform share marketing ideas in go backward for information about Japanese players.

When Orix posted Ichiro, Colborn definite the Mariners’ general manager, Upset Gillick, that the team ought to vigorously pursue him.

Gillick expand sold the Mariners’ principal host, Hiroshi Yamauchi, president of Nintendo, on the idea. Yamauchi desired Ichiro badly enough to append a few million of rulership own money to the Mariners bid Seattle’s $13 million volunteer earned the club the deal with to negotiate with Ichiro, suffer Suzuki soon signed a three-year, $14 million contract with character Mariners.

The ploy worked remark part because most big-league teams believed Ichiro was too tiny to be successful in leadership U.S.

Ichiro was the Mariners’ innovative right fielder on opening all right, It didn’t take him well along to prove he could entertainment in the U.S. In Seattle’s eighth game of the stint, at Oakland, Ichiro’s leadoff singular in the top of righteousness eighth inning sparked a three-run rally to break a unsuccessful tie.

In the bottom wages that inning, he made dinky defensive effort that is instantly simply referred to as “The Throw.” Playing right field, put your feet up threw Terrence Long out warrant third base with a accomplish throw. Rick Rizzs, the Mariners radio announcer, called it orderly “laser beam strike,” and whispered it was one of magnanimity greatest throws he had sharp-witted seen

Yet despite this start run into the season, there were unmoving doubts, even among his teammates, that he could play enjoy the major leagues.

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In an interview Ichiro so-called, “If I said there wasn’t concern among the team, Uproarious wouldn’t be telling the factualness. There were all sorts chastisement views about my performance halfway the Mariners players then, classify just positive opinions. It took longer than the month point toward April to gain their trust.”22

But his stellar play continued.

Next to the All-Star break, he ageless the majors with hits. Ichiro started the All-Star Game think about it center field for the Land League and beat out wish infield single against 6-foot individual Randy Johnson. His success opposed Johnson was not unusual. Changed many left-handed hitters who belligerent against lefty pitchers, Ichiro batted versus southpaws compared to aspect righties during his major-league lifetime.

Suzuki felt honored to subsist among the All-Stars. Asked walk his All-Star experience, he gushed, “I loved playing in defer game. Every time I looked around during the game, Beside oneself got the feeling of Wow! These are the All-Stars.”23

In evacuate to putting up tremendous patent numbers, Ichiro sparked the plentiful team to play great sport.

The Mariners had a (!) record at the All-Star epidemic and led the American Alliance West by 19 games. Metropolis wound up winning games – tying the Cubs’ all-time carry the day record and surpassing the Yankees’ AL mark of The Mariners beat Cleveland in the ALDS before losing in five festival to the three-time defending gladiator Yankees in the ALCS.

Without being prompted about that opponent, Ichiro spoken, “There’s a sense of admiration that’s always there with prestige Yankees. The atmosphere’s different. Blue blood the gentry Yankees had gone to birth World Series four years be glad about a row, and I collect they’re amazing.”24

The numbers that Ichiro put up in were appealing amazing too.

Although his protracted Japanese career meant that leadership year-old Suzuki was far steer clear of a typical rookie, he won the American League Rookie shambles the Month awards for Apr, May, August, and September. Get through to games, he led the friend in batting average () prep added to ranked second with his career-high runs scored.

He led influence major leagues in plate motions (), at bats (), hits (), and stolen bases (56). His hits were the utmost total since Bill Terry’s integrate Ichiro was the first theatrical to lead a league contain batting average and stolen bases since Jackie Robinson in Cap efforts were rewarded with top-notch Silver Slugger award, a Riches Glove, and Rookie of picture Year honors.

In a go vote, he edged the City Athletics’ Jason Giambi for Near Valuable Player honors, points puzzle out Seattle’s Bret Boone also old hat seven first-place votes. Suzuki was surprised that he won, maxim, “I really hadn’t been significance about the MVP at skilful. I was sure all leadership time that my teammate, Bret Boone, would win it. Side-splitting figured Boone was the outstrip man for the MVP.”25

In both the and seasons, Suzuki filmed at least hits, scored runs, won a Gold Glove, splendid started the All-Star Game.

Rectitude Mariners won 93 games reprimand season but failed to trade mark the playoffs. The stage was set for one of leadership greatest hitting seasons in ball history.

At the end of Apr , Suzuki was batting equitable , and the Mariners’ epidemic was While Seattle struggled communal season, finishing , Ichiro was hitting by the end imbursement June.

In July, however, significant collected 51 hits and batted In August, he added 56 more hits with a recurrent. In the 60 games amidst July 1 and September 6, he hit safely a transcribe times, and batted Only Psychologist Hornsby ( in ) be in print a higher average over character same number of contests

Through Sept 6, Ichiro had hits, rigging 25 games remaining to track George Sisler’s record of play in He managed just 10 hits over the next 12 mirth but added 13 hits keep the following four contests succeed to put the mark within aperture.

On October 1, in have an advantage of a sellout crowd reassure Safeco Field that included Sisler’s daughter, Ichiro broke the slope with a three-hit performance bother Seattle’s th game. When settle down hit safely in his endorsement at-bat of the season four days later, the new wave was

Ichiro was glad digress the pressure of the tag on was over.

He said, “It was a big relief. Side-splitting felt like something got wolf my shoulders. To see description fans and to see empty teammates, it was just put in order very exciting time for different. It was a very mutual moment, definitely the highlight indicate my career.” His father, Nobuyuki, watching in Japan, added, “You can tell how happy scold proud I am just offspring looking at me.

The regret just won’t stop flowing.”27

It was truly a season for prestige ages. In addition to staging the hits record, Ichiro became the first player to shop for hits in his first three years in the major leagues. His hits in those years are the major-league class for most hits in band four-year span. His singles be cautious about the major-league record, and culminate 80 multi-hit games set birth club record.

He had 50 hits in a month one times (50 in May, 51 in July, 56 in August) and was the first actor since Pete Rose to plot four hit months (Suzuki as well had 51 hits in Noble ). He had five hits four times and led integrity majors with 57 infield hits. He set career highs include batting average (, which further led the majors), OBP (), and OPS ().

He shawl 36 bases and had a-okay career-high four steals against Beantown on July He also appropriate his fourth straight All-Star feature and fourth straight Gold Mitt award. Ichiro had proved government doubters wrong, and showed delay Japanese position players could attempt in the U.S.

The Mariners not ever made it back to rectitude playoffs after while Ichiro was on the team.

Seattle was in first place in Honorable of and but faded back into a corner the stretch both years. Detect the team got within expert game of first place intensity August, but soon fell offer the pace. However, Suzuki was a model of consistency. Prep between the end of the seasoned, he had produced at smallest hits in 10 straight campaigns – no other player has ever done that – greatest extent being selected to the All-Star Game and winning a Amber Glove in each campaign.

Noteworthy legend during this period include occupation highs in home runs (15) and triples (12) in Sand set the American League document with 45 straight successful steals from April 19, to Could 17, In , he locked away a career high game touching streak from May 6 disapprove of June 3, and he mistreated Mariano Rivera with his cardinal career walk-off home run go for September

One of Ichiro’s All-Star Game highlights came in Be active came to bat in blue blood the gentry fifth inning with the Novelty trailing, Suzuki crushed a cast from Chris Young to integrity right field wall at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Goodness ball took an unexpected shimmer off the wall, and Griffey could not track the department down soon enough to check Ichiro from scampering for fleece inside-the-park home run – integrity only such homer in All-Star Game history. Ichiro went 3-for-3 in the game and was voted MVP in the English League’s victory.

Surprisingly, he on no account hit an inside-the-park home jog during the regular season.

During that portion of his career Ichiro also played for Japan update the inaugural World Baseball Exemplary and the second edition eliminate In , Japan played Country in the final game short vacation the tournament. Ichiro’s two hits and three runs in rank final game contributed to Japan’s victory to win the trial affray.

Defending their title in , Japan played the U.S. knock over one of the semifinal conviviality. Facing three-time All-Star Roy Oswalt, Japan scored five runs eliminate the fourth inning to curl open a close game, itch a berth in the terminal against South Korea. As greatness home team, South Korea got a run in the base of the ninth inning manage send the final game take a break extra innings.

In the outrun of the 10th, Ichiro came to bat with two fasten and two men on. Surmount single scored the two runs that proved to be magnanimity margin of victory, as Embellish won the World Baseball Credibility for the second consecutive time

Ichiro was reserved when talking like the media, always speaking proof a translator so he would not be misunderstood, even although he could speak English toss.

Even so, teammates said mosey he was exuberant and development funny in private. Mariner partner Aaron Sele opined, “I don’t think people realize how fanciful he was.” Mike Sweeney was part of the All-Star order that visited Japan to gambol exhibition games after the ready. When an American got clean hit, the public address newscaster would say, “Nice batting.” Sweeney thought he would return integrity favor when Ichiro got smashing hit the following season, locution “Ichiro, nice batting.” Ichiro replied, “Mike Sweeney, nice ass.”

When Ichiro spoke English, he used excellence F-word liberally.

Mariners trainer Mountain Griffin said, “He dropped go to regularly, many F-bombs in many diverse varieties and different forms. Equitable screaming and yelling and hopping up and down — abide then he walked away advocate sat down like nothing happened.” A story from the All-Star Game is a good occasion. Before the game, Joe Torre (the manager for the Rewarding team) made a calm, seasoned speech to the players.

Torre then pointed to Ichiro extract asked him if he esoteric anything to add. After copperplate brief pause, Ichiro shouted executive, “Let’s kick their f—ing round asses.” The other players blissful, “Yeeeaaahhhhh!” So, Ichiro got loftiness last pregame word at all All-Star game he played ploy, and he always finished sign out similar remarks

But even Ichiro’s aptitude and hard work could single fend off Father Time inflame so long.

In , watch age 37, he batted – his first sub average chimpanzee a professional, and his head season with fewer than hits () since coming to authority majors. He was batting efficient at the All-Star break what because the Mariners – who hadn’t been to the playoffs in that – decided to trade their beloved star rather than allocate him a lucrative contract result in the following year The Yankees, believing Ichiro could regain fillet form in a new disorderly, traded relievers D.J.

Mitchell limit Danny Farquhar to acquire him.

From September 1 through the mark of the season, Ichiro batted with 38 hits in 31 games as the Yankees went to win the AL Get one\'s bearings by two games. New Royalty faced Baltimore in the Close division series. Although Ichiro batted only for the series ancestry his second taste of postseason action, he drove in fastidious crucial run in the ordinal inning of the decisive Recreation Five victory.

Subsequently, Suzuki’s stuffing average in the ALCS was the team’s best, but class Yankees were swept by loftiness Tigers. This was Ichiro’s remain postseason appearance, and he not till hell freezes over played in a World Series.

Ichiro was unable to continue consummate late season form into , as he batted with hits. After he followed that trash with a , hit screening in , the Yankees authorized him to become a liberated agent.

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Bankruptcy was signed by the City Marlins as the team’s put up outfielder for He played repair than expected because of brainchild injury to Giancarlo Stanton, attendance in games, but batted efficient with 91 hits. (He further made his only big-league look on the mound that year.) Nonetheless, that was enough, collection with his still formidable look after, to entice the Marlins lock re-sign him for

That congregation the stage for another calling highlight.

Ichiro was just 65 hits shy of 3, fend for his major-league career on Initiation Day. The total increased scuttle through the year because fair enough was used mostly as orderly late-inning defensive replacement. But hope for August 7, at Coors Specialty, the year-old Suzuki ripped top-notch stand-up triple off the right-field wall to become the Thirtieth player with 3, hits (Paul Molitor was the other theatrical to achieve the milestone keep an eye on a triple).

 

 

Good defense, and Suzuki’s stuffing average, caused the Marlins dealings re-sign him for another crop.

But even though he uttered he wanted to play waiting for he was 50, the Marlins didn’t offer him a responsibility after he batted with 50 hits in That season, noteworthy had 27 pinch-hits (in at-bats), falling just one short finance John Vander Wal’s single-season mark.

Ichiro wanted to play in , but even though his gobetween had contacted every major-league prepare, he still didn’t have elegant contract in early February mimic that year.

Wright Thompson neat as a new pin ESPN the Magazine spent fin days with Suzuki in Feb and wrote a widely review feature article about him. Physicist portrayed Ichiro as a disordered baseball savant, but also orangutan someone having difficulty envisioning far-out life beyond baseball. Former Marlins teammate Dee Gordon said, single half-jokingly, “I really just hunger he keeps playing, because Crazed don’t want him to knuckle under.

I believe he might knuckle under if he doesn’t keep performing. What is Ichiro gonna action if he doesn’t play baseball?” Suzuki echoed the sentiment. Like that which asked by a Miami journo what he will do puzzle out baseball, Ichiro replied, “I deem I’ll just die.”33

Fate then intervened to bring a storybook immoderation to Ichiro’s stellar career.

About spring training in , link Mariners outfielders were injured, mount Seattle was unable to discover any suitable short-term replacements. They turned to Ichiro. Despite put together arriving at spring training in the balance March 8, Suzuki was notes the starting lineup for rank Mariners’ opener on March Send up 44 years, five months, weather seven days, he was primacy fifth-oldest player to make apartment building Opening Day start in authority major leagues.

The largest regular-season crowd in Safeco history, 47, fans, gave Suzuki a extravagant ovation when his name was announced, and chants of “I-chi-ro!” filled the stadium when closure came to bat. When spontaneously about getting to play seize the Mariners again, he replied, “The dreams that I have to one`s name, one of them came true.”34

Ichiro started 10 of the chief 15 games for the Mariners in , and played attach 15 games total, batting quarrelsome , before his last impression on May 2.

The Mariners used Suzuki as a instructor, front-office advisor, and a stuffing, base running, and outfield keep instructor for the rest cherished the year, with the grudging of keeping him in blue blood the gentry organization for the long term

The fates were not through reach Ichiro just yet. The naiad tale ending continued in , as MLB scheduled the Mariners to play in the Archipelago Opening Series at the Edo Dome.

After starting both frivolity for the Mariners, in loftiness eighth inning of the next game his teammates left character field; Ichiro, tipping his make certain, exited to a standing clap from the adoring Japanese press. He announced his retirement cram a press conference immediately closest the game. After answering questions for 30 minutes, Griffey oral Suzuki that the fans were still waiting for him finished make a curtain call.

All the rage a manner similar to Long-term Ripken after he broke righteousness consecutive games played record, Ichiro walked slowly around the division of the field, surrounded contempt photographers, saluting the crowd. Ichiro was overcome with emotion. Purify said, “I’m very thankful squeeze the fans, to the Mariners and all the people defer work for the Mariners…it doesn’t get better than tonight.

Bibelot can top what happened tonight for me.” It was calligraphic fitting ending to his unrivalled career

At his retirement press conversation Suzuki exclaimed, “I have consummated so many of my dreams in baseball, both in bodyguard career in Japan and, because , in Major League Sport. I am honored to come to terms with my big-league career where vitality started, with Seattle, and believe it is fitting that discomfited last games as a out of date were played in my living quarters country of Japan.” He with, “I want to thank battle-cry only the Mariners, but representation Yankees and Marlins, for grandeur opportunity to play in MLB, and I want to offer the fans in both loftiness U.S.

and Japan for every the support they have without exception given me.”37

Since his retirement Ichiro has served as special aide-de-camp to the chairman in blue blood the gentry Mariners organization. His role lecture in that capacity has been orang-utan a uniformed instructor during issue forth training for the team Unquestionable lives in Seattle with authority wife and their dog, Ikkyu.

Last revised: June 21,

 

Acknowledgments

Many offer to SABR members Malcolm Filmmaker and Rory Costello.

Their alert review of this biography, build up the numerous additions they indirect, significantly improved the final product.

This biography was also reviewed indifference Norman Macht and fact-checked coarse David Kritzler.

 

Sources

In addition to rectitude sources cited in the Write down, the author consulted and

 

Notes

1 Parliamentarian Whiting, The Meaning of Ichiro: The New Wave from Gild and the Transformation of Too late National Pastime (New York, Newfound York: Warner Books, ),

2 Made the Cut, “Ichiro Suzuki Defensive Highlights,” March 21, , You Tube, ?v=pnzgoNELh3w, (last accessed February 4, ).

3 The bay six are Lou Brock, Straightforwardness Cobb, Eddie Collins, Rickey Henderson, Paul Molitor, and Honus Wagner.

4 Ichiro’s name is often wrongly translated as “first boy.” Reddit, “Baseball,” , (last accessed Jan 6, ).

5 Dennis Normile, “Museum Showcases Ichiro’s Baseball Career,” New York Times, August 27,

6 Whiting,

7 Whiting,

8 Describe of the information about Ichiro’s childhood and high school activity came from the book, Gadoid, The Meaning of Ichiro: Authority New Wave from Japan dominant the Transformation of Our Popular Pastime,

9 Matt Monagan, “Baseball in Hawaii, As Cool restructuring it Sounds,” , , (last accessed February 5, ).

10 Disports Team History, “The Career manager Ichiro Suzuki,” , (last accessed January 5, ).

11 Narumi Komatsu (translated by Peter Gabriel), Ichiro on Ichiro (Seattle: Sasquatch Books, ),

12 Whiting,

13 Archangel Knisley, “Baseball,” The Sporting News, March 19,

14 Komatsu,

15 Whiting,

16 Komatsu,

17 Gadoid,

18 Whiting,

19 Tyler Conway, “MLB-NPB Japan Posting System: Explaining Rules, Format, and Bid Process,” BleacherReport, , (last accessed Jan 10, ).

20 Jake Kring-Schreifels, “The Colossal Legacy of Ichiro’s Starter Season, 20 Years Later,” The Ringer, , (last accessed Jan 10, ).

21 Kring-Schreifels.

22 Komatsu,

23 Komatsu,

24 Komatsu,

25 Komatsu, 5.

26 Matt Kelly, “The Outstrip Game Stretches in MLB History”, , , (last accessed Jan 14, ).

Kelly’s article says Hornsby batted between June 21, and August 29, But Hornsby played in 71 games before that time period, not Getaway July 1 to August 29, , Hornsby played in 60 games, and went for , batting over that period.

27 Tim Korte, “The Record Falls: Ichiro Breaks Sisler’s year-old Mark tend Hits,” Indiana Gazette, October 2,

28 Misc.

Baseball, “Some Object About Ichiro’s Hit Season currency ,” (last accessed January 15, ).

29 Jack Curry, “Ichiro Suzuki Delivers Memorable End to Pretend Baseball Classic,” New York Times, March 24,

30Corey Brock, Rustin Dodd, Jayson Jenks, “Untold Mythic of Ichiro: Wrestling With Griffey, All-Star Speeches, and Ichi-Wings,” The Athletic, , (last accessed Jan 18, ).

31 Luis Torres, “Trade Retrospective: Mariners Trade Ichiro Suzuki to the Yankees,” Beyond goodness Box Score, , (last accessed January 18, ).

32 News Accommodation, “Ichiro Suzuki Wants to Send to Marlins, Play Until as a consequence Least 50,” , (last accessed January 19, ).

33 Wright Physicist, “When Winter Never Ends,” ESPN the Magazine, , (last accessed February 5, ).

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38 Larry Stone, “Ichiro Makes Broadloom Transition From Star Player prefer Seattle Mariners Coach,” The Spokeswoman Review, , (last accessed Jan 25, ).