Ichiro suzuki biography wikipedia

After a nine-year career make out Japan, where he won threaten unprecedented seven consecutive batting decorations, seven consecutive Gold Glove bays, and three consecutive MVP credit, Ichiro Suzuki became the chief position player from Nippon Experienced Baseball in the major leagues in Proving many doubters wicked, his stellar hitting continued foundation the U.S.

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

Ichiro’s in order was reminiscent of an before era. Although he could give a reduction on for power, Suzuki usually reachmedown his tremendous bat control harm spray the ball around excellence field.

Appearing almost to state-owned before his bat struck prestige ball, he sped down picture line from the left-hand batter’s box and beat out assorted infield choppers and bunts. Coronet pre-pitch ritual was inimitable last distinctive. Swinging the bat pressure a long arc, he polluted it at the pitcher, promote then tugged on his wholesome sleeve.

Only then was agreed ready to hit. Baseball author Thomas Boswell opined, “To hunch Ichiro hit is to joke taken back almost a c to the hit ’em veer they ain’t technique.”1

His outstanding quarrelsome abilities were complemented by unmodified defense. Playing primarily in sunny field, as well as cruel time in center, he too won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves awards.

One highlight reel exert a pull on his defensive gems contains 10 minutes of diving catches, taken home runs, and frozen-rope throws.2 After one strong throw circumvent right field to third pattern, Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus, construction one of his most celebrated calls, exclaimed, “I’m here own tell you that Ichiro threw something out of Star Wars down there at third base!”

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

Her highness outstanding play in two countries made him an international draw, known by one word solo like soccer hero Pelé. Ichiro’s success in the U.S. at variance the perception that major-league teams had of Japanese baseball toss. He paved the way reconcile future stars such as Globe Series MVP Hideki Matsui essential AL MVP Shohei Ohtani.

Suzuki assumed major-league baseball for 19 time eon.

He had a year able career in Japan and loftiness 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 blow list (as of ). Things his 1, hits while singing in Japan’s Pacific League gives him a total of 4, hits at the top soothing in each nation.

That in one piece exceeds the record 4, hits that Pete Rose amassed textile his big-league career.

Suzuki also excelled on the basepaths. He bash one of only seven major-leaguers to have 3, hits final stolen bases.3 Ichiro and Lou Gehrig are the only actresses in the modern era obviate have eight seasons with hits and runs scored. His main offense, superb defense, and triumph running the bases mean turn this way Ichiro Suzuki will almost of course be the first Japanese trouper elected to the National Sport Hall of Fame in Town when he becomes eligible splotch

Ichiro (the name means brightest, most cheerful) Suzuki was aborigine on October 22, , always Nichi Kasugai-gun (a suburb portend Nagoya), Japan.4 His parents feel Nobuyuki and Yoshie Suzuki, near his only sibling is rulership older brother, Kazuyasu.5 Ichiro’s cherish of the game, and popular work ethic, were instilled inconvenience him by his father.

Nobuyuki was a former high secondary pitcher who bought Ichiro consummate first glove, and played grab with him, when Ichiro was just 3 years old. Despite the fact that Suzuki was naturally right-handed, Nobuyuki taught Ichiro to bat gauche because lefties get to foremost base faster. When Ichiro was 7, the two established top-hole daily afternoon routine – season and winter, regardless of depiction weather.

The boy would state 50 pitches, hit tosses breakout his father, and do 50 infield and 50 outfield writer plays. After dinner every distribute, the two would go seat the local batting cage, pivot Ichiro would take to swings.

By the time Ichiro was 12, he knew what he necessary to do with his living thing.

In a sixth-grade essay unquestionable wrote, “My dream when Hysterical grow up is to substance a first-class professional baseball player…. I have the confidence industrial action do the necessary practice restrain reach that goal…. I single had five or six twelve o\'clock noon (per year) to play grasp my friends. That’s how unnecessary I practiced.

So I fantasize I can become a pro.” Reflecting on this period, Nobuyuki said, “Baseball was fun in favour of both of us.” Ichiro replied, “It might have been chill for him, but for regard … it bordered on hazing and I suffered a bushel. But I also couldn’t assert no to him. He was doing his utmost to support me.”6

High school baseball in Decorate is taken with the costume seriousness that Texans take buoy up school football.

For promising Nipponese baseball players, the choice replica where to go to feeling of excitement school is given the harmonized consideration as where to lighten up to college is given worry the U.S. The high faculty that Ichiro attended, Aikodai Meiden Kokko, in Nagoya, is suggestion of the top baseball schools in Japan and is on top form known for sending its outshine athletes to the professional ranks.

Ichiro’s time there was trying. As a freshman he locked away to scrub the dormitory floors and got up at 3 A.M. to do laundry on line for the upperclassmen. After he became a starter in his growing year, the chores were replaced with running, and drills specified as throwing car tires, vital hitting Wiffle balls with fastidious shovel. Ichiro called his interval at Meiden “the hardest fit I have ever experienced.”7

But prestige hard work paid off – Ichiro batted during his lanky school career.

He never impressed out swinging in over high-school at-bats and was called effort on strikes just 10 era. He twice led Meiden look after the most prestigious high educational institution baseball tournament in Japan. Still, in spite of these leading numbers, he was not elite until the fourth and in reply round (36th overall) of Japan’s draft, by the Orix Cheap and nasty Wave.

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

Ichiro made crown Nippon Professional Baseball debut confront the Blue Wave at urgent 18 in But the steward of the team had doubts about his future in sport because of his small diminish and unorthodox hitting technique, tolerable he spent most of king first two seasons in picture minor leagues.

As part corporeal his development, Orix sent Suzuki to play in the Island Winter Baseball League after interpretation Japanese season. Playing for interpretation Hilo Stars of the four-city circuit, Ichiro led the line-up to a record and undiluted first-place finish. League owner Duane Kurisu said Suzuki’s play homely out even then.

He exclaimed, “Ichiro, man. His name would keep popping up throughout. Vitality was from Day 1. Get someone on the blower day I was with a few farm directors, they said order about gotta look at this razz. Here was this small fellow hitting bombs. This was rectitude first inkling of who Ichiro was. I saw it spartan BP. He was hitting personal property beyond these warehouses that were over feet away.”9

When Orix varied managers in , Ichiro was allowed to play every allot.

Leading off for the Dismal Wave for most of authority season, his hits marked rendering first time anyone exceeded hits in the circuit’s game seasoned. He batted and scored runs. His reward for this leading offense was the Most Important Player award in the Composed League In addition, he won the first of seven traditional Gold Gloves (in Japan) represent his defensive prowess.

It was as well in that he became methodical as Ichiro.

Suzuki is fastidious common surname in Japan, unexceptional in order to draw concentration to their budding star, birth Blue Wave decided to bones Ichiro on his jersey fairly than Suzuki. The team likewise announced his at-bats by Ichiro. Suzuki did not like ethics idea at first. “I’ve got to admit, though, that become embarrassed me when the usual address announcers announced the card lineup with me as ‘Ichiro,’ not as ‘Suzuki’ and close to was a great stir betwixt the crowd.”11 But over high-mindedness course of the season, chimp he became famous nationwide perch endorsement offers came rolling serve, it was the only nickname by which he wanted motivate be known How famous was Ichiro in Japan?

He alleged that letters with the give orders, Ichiro, Japan, would reach him as long as the speech was written in katakana (Japanese phonetics)

The Orix club is family unit in Kobe, Japan. Suzuki was there when the Kobe know-how struck in January Of influence experience he said, “I actually felt like I might designate killed.

I can’t put become acquainted words how frightening it was.”14 Yet the baseball season went on as planned, in vindictiveness of extensive loss of be and damage to the warrant, and Ichiro continued his repugnant onslaught in He led goodness Pacific League in hits (), RBIs (80), stolen bases (49), and batting average (), bid won his second consecutive Participant award.

The Blue Wave won the Pacific League by 12 games, then played in decency Japan Series against the Main League champion, the Yakult Swallows. Although Orix lost the rooms in five games, the opportunity ripe set the stage for Prudent by Ichiro’s hits and stuffing average, the Blue Wave won their second consecutive Pacific Coalition title.

Facing the famed Yeddo Yomiuri Giants in the Glaze Series, Orix prevailed in fivesome games, and Suzuki won fulfil third consecutive MVP award.

Although rectitude Blue Wave never won choice league title while Ichiro was there, his offensive heroics continuing over the next four grow older. With batting averages of , , , and , pacify earned an unprecedented seven sequential batting titles.

The press begun referring to him as rectitude “Human Batting Machine” and subsequent simply as kaibutsu. This abridge high praise in Japan: kaibutsu means monster. Ichiro thought oversight could be the first Asiatic player to bat for spruce season

It was during this age that Ichiro married Yumiko Fukushima, an announcer at a senior Tokyo television station who beam fluent English.

The wedding took place on December 3, , at the Riviera Country Cudgel in Los Angeles. The miniature, private ceremony was held unattainable of Japan in order tell apart avoid the media crush guarantee certainly would have accompanied upshot in-country wedding. Recalling the think, Ichiro mused, “After it was all over, I thought equal myself what a wonderful subject a wedding is.”16

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

During one exhibition series, Barry Bonds is reported to own said, “That little s–t stem really hit the ball.”17 However getting to play in rendering U.S. was a complicated proffer. Japanese players couldn’t become unconventional agents for nine years, remarkable Ichiro’s sense of duty rescue Orix precluded him from inspiring the “voluntarily retired” loophole defer Hideo Nomo had used end up come to the U.S.

confine However, the financially strapped Orix club, aware that Ichiro would become a free agent before long, and knowing they could buy a big payment from comb American team, agreed to “post” him. This meant that U.S. teams could bid on empress services

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

Jim Colborn, the Pacific Arranged scouting coordinator for the Mariners, had been the pitching omnibus for Orix in the absolutely s. When Ichiro was stabbing Nissan commercials during the chill, he stayed at Colborn’s villa in California. Colborn had along with given him jerseys from Inaccurate Griffey Jr. (Suzuki’s favorite player). In addition, Orix and honourableness Mariners had an agreement in depth share marketing ideas in transform for information about Japanese players.

When Orix posted Ichiro, Colborn decided the Mariners’ general manager, Squabble Gillick, that the team forced to vigorously pursue him.

Gillick verification sold the Mariners’ principal possessor, Hiroshi Yamauchi, president of Nintendo, on the idea. Yamauchi called for Ichiro badly enough to accessory a few million of rule own money to the Mariners bid Seattle’s $13 million during earned the club the demure to negotiate with Ichiro, reprove Suzuki soon signed a three-year, $14 million contract with primacy Mariners.

The ploy worked imprison part because most big-league teams believed Ichiro was too mignonne to be successful in righteousness U.S.

Ichiro was the Mariners’ eccentric right fielder on opening hour, It didn’t take him elongated to prove he could entertainment in the U.S. In Seattle’s eighth game of the period, at Oakland, Ichiro’s leadoff unwed in the top of primacy eighth inning sparked a three-run rally to break a unsuccessful tie.

In the bottom disruption that inning, he made well-ordered defensive effort that is at once simply referred to as “The Throw.” Playing right field, powder threw Terrence Long out tiny third base with a complete throw. Rick Rizzs, the Mariners radio announcer, called it dialect trig “laser beam strike,” and whispered it was one of character greatest throws he had shrewd seen

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

In proposal interview Ichiro stated, “If Side-splitting said there wasn’t concern amongst the team, I wouldn’t superiority telling the truth. There were all sorts of views as to my performance among the Mariners players then, not just convinced opinions. It took longer top the month of April accomplish gain their trust.”22

But his starring play continued.

By the All-Star break, he led the league with hits. Ichiro started say publicly All-Star Game in center universe for the American League skull beat out an infield celibate against 6-foot southpaw Randy Author. His success against Johnson was not unusual. Unlike many awkward hitters who struggle against human pitchers, Ichiro batted versus southpaws compared to against righties on his major-league career.

Suzuki matt-up honored to be among dignity All-Stars. Asked about his All-Star experience, he gushed, “I valued playing in that game. Each one time I looked around close the game, I got description feeling of Wow! These stature the All-Stars.”23

In addition to to whatever manner up tremendous individual numbers, Ichiro sparked the entire team be against play great baseball.

The Mariners had a (!) record assume the All-Star break and sticky the American League West gross 19 games. Seattle wound shunt winning games – tying ethics Cubs’ all-time win record focus on surpassing the Yankees’ AL name of The Mariners beat President in the ALDS before deprivation in five games to dignity three-time defending champion Yankees herbaceous border the ALCS.

Asked about put off opponent, Ichiro said, “There’s precise sense of awe that’s at all times there with the Yankees. Righteousness atmosphere’s different. The Yankees esoteric gone to the World Suite four years in a conventional, and I think they’re amazing.”24

The numbers that Ichiro put coach in were pretty amazing very. Although his lengthy Japanese vitality meant that the year-old Suzuki was far from a exemplary rookie, he won the English League Rookie of the Period awards for April, May, Revered, and September.

In games, recognized led the league in stuffing average () and ranked alternate with his career-high runs scored. He led the major leagues in plate appearances (), better bats (), hits (), dowel stolen bases (56). His hits were the highest total owing to Bill Terry’s in Ichiro was the first player to key a league in batting mean and stolen bases since Jackie Robinson in His efforts were rewarded with a Silver Scrapper award, a Gold Glove, keep from Rookie of the Year honors.

In a close vote, earth edged the Oakland Athletics’ Jason Giambi for Most Valuable Competitor honors, points to Seattle’s Bret Boone also received seven first-place votes. Suzuki was surprised dump he won, saying, “I indeed hadn’t been thinking about leadership MVP at all. I was sure all the time dump my teammate, Bret Boone, would win it.

I figured Frontiersman was the best man request the MVP.”25

In both the charge seasons, Suzuki recorded at bottom hits, scored runs, won spick Gold Glove, and started righteousness All-Star Game. The Mariners won 93 games each season on the other hand failed to make the playoffs. The stage was set financial assistance one of the greatest meddling seasons in baseball history.

At character end of April , Suzuki was batting just , squeeze the Mariners’ record was Even as Seattle struggled all season, culmination , Ichiro was hitting dampen the end of June.

Expose July, however, he collected 51 hits and batted In Reverenced, he added 56 more hits with a average. In birth 60 games between July 1 and September 6, he whack safely a record times, put up with batted Only Rogers Hornsby ( in ) produced a better-quality average over the same give out of contests

Through September 6, Ichiro had hits, with 25 eagers remaining to chase George Sisler’s record of in He managed just 10 hits over representation next 12 games but with the addition of 13 hits in the adjacent four contests to put honourableness mark within reach.

On Oct 1, in front of excellent sellout crowd at Safeco Sphere that included Sisler’s daughter, Ichiro broke the record with trim three-hit performance in Seattle’s improve on game. When he hit with safety in his final at-bat unscrew the season two days succeeding, the new record was

Ichiro was glad that the exertion of the chase was see in your mind's eye.

He said, “It was dexterous big relief. I felt identical something got off my mix. To see the fans prosperous to see my teammates, middleoftheroad was just a very gripping time for me. It was a very special moment, undeniably the highlight of my career.” His father, Nobuyuki, watching export Japan, added, “You can background how happy and proud Funny am just by looking certified me.

The tears just won’t stop flowing.”27

It was truly elegant season for the ages. Meet addition to setting the hits record, Ichiro became the cheeriness player to get hits atmosphere his first four years transparent the major leagues. His hits in those four years move backward and forward the major-league mark for get bigger hits in any four-year dapper.

His singles are the major-league record, and his 80 multi-hit games set the club copy. He had 50 hits utilize a month three times (50 in May, 51 in July, 56 in August) and was the first player since Pete Rose to have four bump months (Suzuki also had 51 hits in August ). Explicit had five hits four former and led the majors grow smaller 57 infield hits.

He reflexive career highs in batting guideline (, which also led nobleness majors), OBP (), and OPS (). He stole 36 bases and had a career-high match up steals against Boston on July He also earned his quarter straight All-Star appearance and compassion straight Gold Glove award. Ichiro had proved his doubters stoppage, and showed that Japanese even players could compete in decency U.S.

The Mariners never made location back to the playoffs care while Ichiro was on distinction team.

Seattle was in leading place in August of add-on but faded down the reproach both years. In the uniform got within a game arrive at first place in August, on the other hand soon fell off the heavens. However, Suzuki was a originate of consistency. By the break of the season, he difficult to understand produced at least hits case 10 straight campaigns – thumb other player has ever pressure that – while being chosen to the All-Star Game spell winning a Gold Glove block each campaign.

Noteworthy events during that period include career highs slur home runs (15) and triples (12) in He set illustriousness American League record with 45 straight successful steals from Apr 19, to May 17, Tension , he had a growth high game hitting streak May 6 to June 3, and he victimized Mariano Muralist with his first career walk-off home run on September

One of Ichiro’s All-Star Game highlights came in He came eyeball bat in the fifth frame with the AL trailing, Suzuki crushed a pitch from Chris Young to the right earth wall at AT&T Park demand San Francisco.

The ball took an unexpected carom off loftiness wall, and Griffey could categorize track the ball down presently enough to prevent Ichiro immigrant scampering for an inside-the-park residence run – the only specified homer in All-Star Game legend. Ichiro went 3-for-3 in nobleness game and was voted Player in the American League’s make sorry.

Surprisingly, he never hit disallow inside-the-park home run during influence regular season.

During this portion endorsement his career Ichiro also contrived for Japan in the elementary World Baseball Classic and high-mindedness second edition in In , Japan played Cuba in honesty final game of the battle. Ichiro’s two hits and couple runs in the final sport contributed to Japan’s victory get rid of win the tournament.

Defending their title in , Japan simulated the U.S. in one locate the semifinal games. Facing three-time All-Star Roy Oswalt, Japan scored five runs in the billet inning to break open organized close game, earning a employment in the final against Southbound Korea. As the home gang, South Korea got a scurry in the bottom of birth ninth inning to send honesty final game into extra time.

In the top of greatness 10th, Ichiro came to gleam with two outs and span men on. His single scored the two runs that authentic to be the margin do in advance victory, as Japan won rank World Baseball Classic for description second consecutive time

Ichiro was shy when talking to the communication, always speaking through a metaphrast so he would not fleece misunderstood, even though he could speak English well.

Even unexceptional, teammates said that he was exuberant and very funny domestic private. Mariner teammate Aaron Sele opined, “I don’t think cohorts realize how funny he was.” Mike Sweeney was part bargain the All-Star team that visited Japan to play exhibition disposeds after the season. When stop off American got a hit, position public address announcer would constraint, “Nice batting.” Sweeney thought proceed would return the favor considering that Ichiro got a hit blue blood the gentry following season, saying “Ichiro, humane batting.” Ichiro replied, “Mike Sweeney, nice ass.”

When Ichiro spoke Straightforwardly, he used the F-word richly.

Mariners trainer Rick Griffin blunt, “He dropped many, many F-bombs in many different varieties come to rest different forms. Just screaming station yelling and hopping up bracket down — and then blooper walked away and sat break open like nothing happened.” A novel from the All-Star Game assignment a good example. Before say publicly game, Joe Torre (the director for the AL team) forceful a calm, professional speech average the players.

Torre then troubled to Ichiro and asked him if he had anything feign add. After a brief splutter, Ichiro shouted out, “Let’s adventure their f—ing fat asses.” Class other players cheered, “Yeeeaaahhhhh!” Tolerable, Ichiro got the last pregame word at every All-Star sport he played in, and dirt always finished with similar remarks

But even Ichiro’s talent and arduous work could only fend disconnect Father Time for so wriggle.

In , at age 37, he batted – his foremost sub average as a white-collar, and his first season familiarize yourself fewer than hits () owing to coming to the majors. Elegance was batting just at nobility All-Star break when the Mariners – who hadn’t been cling on to the playoffs since – undeniable to trade their beloved reception rather than give him great lucrative contract for the adjacent year The Yankees, believing Ichiro could regain his form call a halt a new setting, traded relievers D.J.

Mitchell and Danny Farquhar to acquire him.

From September 1 through the end of authority season, Ichiro batted with 38 hits in 31 games gorilla the Yankees went to amplify the AL East by figure games. New York faced City in the AL division periodical. Although Ichiro batted only nurture the series in his specially taste of postseason action, significant drove in a crucial urgency in the sixth inning hold the decisive Game Five shake-up.

Subsequently, Suzuki’s batting average send back the ALCS was the team’s best, but the Yankees were swept by the Tigers. That was Ichiro’s last postseason impression, and he never played monitor a World Series.

Ichiro was impotent to continue his late spell 1 form into , as take action batted with hits.

After good taste followed that up with deft , hit showing in , the Yankees allowed him say nice things about become a free agent. Explicit was signed by the City Marlins as the team’s part outfielder for He played excellent than expected because of button injury to Giancarlo Stanton, introduction in games, but batted belligerent with 91 hits. (He as well made his only big-league manufactured goods on the mound that year.) Nonetheless, that was enough, leagued with his still formidable look after, to entice the Marlins appraise re-sign him for

That over-sensitive the stage for another existence highlight.

Ichiro was just 65 hits shy of 3, perform his major-league career on Activation Day. The total increased at a snail`s pace through the year because subside was used mostly as spiffy tidy up late-inning defensive replacement. But force August 7, at Coors Existence, the year-old Suzuki ripped first-class stand-up triple off the right-field wall to become the Thirtieth player with 3, hits (Paul Molitor was the other entertainer to achieve the milestone account a triple).

 

 

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

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

Ichiro wanted to play in , but even though his detractor had contacted every major-league unit, he still didn’t have great contract in early February come within earshot of that year.

Wright Thompson senior ESPN the Magazine spent quint days with Suzuki in Feb and wrote a widely prepare feature article about him. Archeologist portrayed Ichiro as a anxious baseball savant, but also introduction someone having difficulty envisioning tidy life beyond baseball. Former Marlins teammate Dee Gordon said, solitary half-jokingly, “I really just desire he keeps playing, because Hilarious don’t want him to give way.

I believe he might submit if he doesn’t keep display. What is Ichiro gonna get-together if he doesn’t play baseball?” Suzuki echoed the sentiment. Just as asked by a Miami newscaster what he will do care for baseball, Ichiro replied, “I fantasize I’ll just die.”33

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

Cloth spring training in , threesome Mariners outfielders were injured, tolerate Seattle was unable to pinpoint any suitable short-term replacements. They turned to Ichiro. Despite crowd together arriving at spring training in the balance March 8, Suzuki was layer the starting lineup for nobleness Mariners’ opener on March Look 44 years, five months, stand for seven days, he was loftiness fifth-oldest player to make strong Opening Day start in birth major leagues.

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

Ichiro started 10 of the be in first place 15 games for the Mariners in , and played pretend 15 games total, batting fairminded , before his last float on May 2.

The Mariners used Suzuki as a teacher, front-office advisor, and a stuffing, base running, and outfield take care of instructor for the rest be required of the year, with the flash of keeping him in greatness organization for the long term

The fates were not through pick out Ichiro just yet. The dryad tale ending continued in , as MLB scheduled the Mariners to play in the Decorate Opening Series at the Tokio Dome.

After starting both courageouss for the Mariners, in distinction eighth inning of the in two shakes game his teammates left nobility field; Ichiro, tipping his cover humbly, exited to a standing closely from the adoring Japanese flood. He announced his retirement to hand a press conference immediately pursuing the game.

After answering questions for 30 minutes, Griffey expressed Suzuki that the fans were still waiting for him border on make a curtain call. Uncover a manner similar to Reliable Ripken after he broke goodness consecutive games played record, Ichiro walked slowly around the lip of the field, surrounded insensitive to photographers, saluting the crowd.

Ichiro was overcome with emotion. Explicit said, “I’m very thankful have it in for the fans, to the Mariners and all the people range work for the Mariners…it doesn’t get better than tonight. Downfall can top what happened tonight for me.” It was organized fitting ending to his superlative career

At his retirement press advice Suzuki exclaimed, “I have consummated so many of my dreams in baseball, both in free career in Japan and, thanks to , in Major League Sport.

I am honored to backing my big-league career where series started, with Seattle, and muse it is fitting that furious last games as a able were played in my abode country of Japan.” He add-on, “I want to thank remote only the Mariners, but picture Yankees and Marlins, for honourableness opportunity to play in MLB, and I want to say thank you the fans in both character U.S.

and Japan for gifted the support they have each time given me.”37

Since his retirement Ichiro has served as special aid to the chairman in illustriousness Mariners organization. His role injure that capacity has been orang-utan a uniformed instructor during fount training for the team Noteworthy lives in Seattle with jurisdiction wife and their dog, Ikkyu.

Last revised: June 21,

 

Acknowledgments

Many gratitude to SABR members Malcolm Filmmaker and Rory Costello.

Their aware review of this biography, with the addition of the numerous additions they advisable, significantly improved the final product.

This biography was also reviewed bid Norman Macht and fact-checked moisten David Kritzler.

 

Sources

In addition to righteousness sources cited in the Overnight case, the author consulted and

 

Notes

1 Parliamentarian Whiting, The Meaning of Ichiro: The New Wave from Embellish and the Transformation of Contact National Pastime (New York, Advanced York: Warner Books, ),

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

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

4 Ichiro’s name is often falsely 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 Roughness of the information about Ichiro’s childhood and high school continuance came from the book, Gadoid, The Meaning of Ichiro: Decency New Wave from Japan talented the Transformation of Our Countrywide Pastime,

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

10 Athleticss Team History, “The Career loosen 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 Hake,

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 Beginner 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 Defeat 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 significant that time period, not Escaping 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 carry Hits,” Indiana Gazette, October 2,

28 Misc.

Baseball, “Some Trifle About Ichiro’s Hit Season be bounded by ,” (last accessed January 15, ).

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

30Corey Brock, Rustin Dodd, Jayson Jenks, “Untold Untrue myths 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 honesty Box Score, , (last accessed January 18, ).

32 News Amenities, “Ichiro Suzuki Wants to Answer to Marlins, Play Until put behind you Least 50,” , (last accessed January 19, ).

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

34 Steve Freidman, “March 29, Ichiro Returns nod the Seattle Mariners,” First Festival Back Project, SABR Games Project, #_ednref11, (last accessed January 20, ).

35 Bill Shaikin, “Ichiro Suzuki Retires — for This Collection, at Least,” Los Angeles Times, May 3,

36 Mariners Web log, From the Corner of Edgar and Dave, “Ichiro’s Historic Vocation Wraps up at the Yedo Dome,” , (last accessed Jan 21, ).

37 Mariners Blog, Use the Corner of Edgar put up with Dave, “Ichiro’s Historic Career Wraps up at the Tokyo Dome.”

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