There are many ways to describe Ichiro Suzuki. Mariners legend. Future Hall of Famer. Trail-blazer for Japanese position players. But public speaker has never been a descriptor for him, at least not in English. That all changed Saturday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, where the Mariners are holding a weekend to honor their retired outfielder.
Ichiro, who retired after playing in the Mariners’ two-game series against Oakland in Tokyo in March, gave a heartfelt speech Saturday as he accepted the Mariners’ Franchise Achievement Award.
“This is a happy occasion,” he said in accented but clear English. “When I retired that night in Tokyo, I had an incomplete feeling because the great fans of Seattle could not be there. Tonight I want to express my appreciation to you for your touching support over the years. When I came to Seattle in 2001, no position player had ever come from Japan before. The one you got was 27 years old, small and skinny.
“And I know, you had every reason not to accept me. However, you welcomed me with open arms and you have never stopped, even when I left and came back. I was so grateful for the chance to return in 2018, and the reason is you fans.”
On the night we celebrate one of the best to ever do it, Ichiro Suzuki addressed the crowd during the pregame ceremony. 5️⃣1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/bhy3dfGHe9
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 15, 2019
A marvelous career
Ichiro played 14 of his 19 seasons in Seattle, where he won the 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP while leading the Mariners to a 116-win regular season. He was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner each of his first 10 seasons.
He finished his career with 3,089 hits in the Major Leagues and 4,367 hits when you include his Japanese League stats. That beats out Pete Rose for the most in baseball history across multiple top-flight leagues.
After retirement, Ichiro became a special assistant to the chairman. He has appeared in uniform several times when the M’s are at home and works with players in the majors and throughout Seattle’s minor-league system.
Ichiro speaks from the heart — in English — to Mariners fans during award ceremony (you can see the full video here). https://t.co/fJ348OHOkh
— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) September 15, 2019
The future
The countdown to Ichiro’s enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame is on, but in the meantime, Mariners manager Scott Servais thinks he’ll increase his role in the organization.
“I think Ichi has enjoyed it, as far as the transition goes. I think there’ll be a point where he wants to do more,” said Servais, according to MLB.com. “I don’t know if that time has come yet, but I can see him getting more involved as we go along. He loves the game. He loves baseball. I think it’s great he’s around. He does have a passion for the game and for giving back. And good for him.”
In the meantime, it’s clear Ichiro and the fans of Seattle still have mutual admiration.
He concluded his speech: “To the Seattle Mariners organization, I am forever thankful to you for giving me a chance to play the game I love in the city I have come to love. Now, let’s play baseball!
#ThanksIchiro pic.twitter.com/cT7DTvr3Jo
— T-Mobile Park (@TMobilePark) September 15, 2019
