Baseball: Ichiro pays fans, Johnson tribute as Mariners retire No. 51
The 51-year-old Ichiro, who became the first Asian-born inductee into the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27 in Cooperstown, New York, was back at his old ballpark, T-Mobile Park, where fans had another chance to enjoy his witty speech.
"I'm so grateful to be here today to receive this highest of honors," said Ichiro, widely known just by his first name, before quipping, "But whose idea was it to have me give two speeches in English in two weeks? It's one of the toughest challenges of my career."
Footage from his playing days was shown on the big screen, and a new "ICHIRO 51" plate was unveiled in the left-center stands, drawing loud cheers from fans before he expressed his appreciation for the occasion.
"I'm damn proud to be a Seattle Mariner," Ichiro said, citing the words from his former teammate and Hall of Famer George Kenneth Griffy Jr. "Just like him, I realized by going away, there really is no place like home."
In 2001, Ichiro won both the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP awards after leading the league with a .350 batting average, 242 hits and 56 stolen bases for the 116-46 Mariners.
He broke George Sisler's 84-year-old single-season record of 257 hits in 2004, finishing the season with 262.
Ichiro had special words for Johnson, another Hall of Famer and five-time Cy Young winner, who will have his own shirt-retirement ceremony next year.
"Without his generosity, I could not have worn that number here," Ichiro said. "The Orix BlueWave assigned a number when they drafted me in 1991...By the time I came to Seattle, 51 was part of my identity. But I knew that number already had a rich history here."
"He gave it, and he gave it graciously."
Standing at 208 centimeters, the lefty Johnson, nicknamed "The Big Unit," pitched for the Mariners until midway through 1998. He amassed 4,875 strikeouts in his 22-year career through 2009, the second most in Major League Baseball history.
"I'm grateful to Randy for attending my ceremony today. It will be my great honor to attend his next season," Ichiro said. "I hope we can play catch together sometime as a pair of Seattle Mariner No. 51s. Thank you, Randy."
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