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Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Baseball: Ichiro pays fans, Johnson tribute as Mariners retire No. 51
SEATTLE - Japanese baseball icon Ichiro Suzuki delivered a message of gratitude during the Seattle Mariners' ceremony to retire his No. 51 shirt on Saturday, especially to its previous wearer, Randy Johnson. 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 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."
Tokyo Weekender
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Ichiro Steals the Show at Hall of Fame Ceremony
On Sunday, Ichiro Suzuki was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. The first Asian-born player elected to the hall, he always spoke to reporters through an interpreter during his career, yet gave his speech in Cooperstown in English. Speaking for just under 20 minutes, the Japanese superstar delivered several memorable lines, including a cheeky dig at the one writer who didn't vote for him. List of Contents: Ichiro Jokes About Writer Who Didn't Vote for Him Humorous and Heartfelt Speech by Ichiro Related Posts Ichiro Jokingly Withdraws Dinner Offer The man who's usually referred to mononymously by his first name fell just shy of unanimous selection , earning 393 of 394 votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. 'Three thousand hits or 262 hits in one season are two achievements recognized by the writers. Well, all but one. And by the way, the offer for that writer to have dinner at my home has now expired,' joked the former Seattle Mariners outfielder. Ichiro is, of course, referring to a lighthearted offer he made in January after news of his induction was announced. 'I was able to receive many votes from the writers, and [I'm] grateful for them, but there's one writer that I wasn't able to get a vote from,' he said . 'I would like to invite him over to my house, and we'll have a drink together, and we'll have a good chat.' Along with Ichiro, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner were also inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Dave Parker and Dick Allen were both enshrined posthumously. They were represented at the event by their families. An hour 's delay due to rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd, which was estimated to be around 30,000. With several Japanese flags and number 51 jerseys on display, it seemed like the majority were there to see Ichiro. Humorous and Heartfelt Speech by Ichiro His speech was humorous and heartfelt. He thanked various people, including pitcher Hideo Nomo for helping to open doors in the States for Japanese players, and his former agent Tony Attanasio, who sadly passed away last year. There were also shoutouts to all the teams he played for, though he joked that he'd 'never heard of' the Miami Marlins before signing for them. At the end, Ichiro started to get emotional as he spoke about his biggest supporter. 'I think you can imagine there was much doubt when I decided to try becoming the first position player from Japan in MLB,' said Ichiro. 'But it was more than just doubt. There was criticism and negativity. Someone even said to me, 'Don't embarrass the nation.' The person who supported me the most was my wife, Yumiko. It would only be natural if she had doubts too, but she never made me feel them. All of her energy was focused on supporting and encouraging me.' He continued, 'Shortly after I retired, Yumiko and I had a date night. We did something we had never been able to do while I was a player — we sat in the stands and enjoyed a Mariners game together. We did it the American way by eating hot dogs. Of all the experiences baseball has given me, enjoying a hot dog at a game with a person most responsible for helping me reach this moment is the most special.' Related Posts Things To Know About Ichiro Suzuki | List of 7 Yui Hasegawa Discusses Women's Soccer on the Global Field Daiki Hashimoto: Introducing Japan's Best Medal Prospects for Paris 2024
The Mainichi
27-07-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Baseball: Ichiro nervous, grateful ahead of Hall of Fame induction
COOPERSTOWN, New York (Kyodo) -- Ichiro Suzuki expressed his excitement and his appreciation for his former coach Saturday ahead of being inducted to the U.S. National Baseball Hall of Fame. The 51-year-old became the first Asian-born player elected to the hall in January and is set to give a speech in English before a crowd of tens of thousands during the induction ceremony Sunday in Cooperstown, New York. "Of course I'm nervous. I'm almost getting crushed by the pressure," Ichiro, who had 3,089 hits during his Major Baseball League career between 2001 and 2019 while winning 10 Gold Gloves, told a press conference with a wry smile. Ichiro, who set the major league record for most hits in a season with 262 in 2004, was thankful to his former Orix BlueWave manager, the late Akira Ogi, for making the unusual move of registering him as a Nippon Professional Baseball player under the first name by which he would become widely known. "If he were here, he would be smiling happily," Ichiro said. "Life gets decided by who you meet at the end of the day, and he gave me the biggest influence. I can't thank him enough." Ichiro waved to fans cheering and chanting his name as he sat alongside his wife Yumiko in the back of a pickup truck during a parade in Cooperstown later in the day.
Kyodo News
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Baseball: Ichiro nervous, grateful ahead of Hall of Fame induction
Cooperstown, New York - Ichiro Suzuki expressed his excitement and his appreciation for his former coach Saturday ahead of being inducted to the U.S. National Baseball Hall of Fame. The 51-year-old became the first Asian-born player elected to the hall in January and is set to give a speech in English before a crowd of tens of thousands during the induction ceremony Sunday in Cooperstown, New York. "Of course I'm nervous. I'm almost getting crushed by the pressure," Ichiro, who had 3,089 hits during his Major Baseball League career between 2001 and 2019 while winning 10 Gold Gloves, told a press conference with a wry smile. Ichiro, who set the major league record for most hits in a season with 262 in 2004, was thankful to his former Orix BlueWave manager, the late Akira Ogi, for making the unusual move of registering him as a Nippon Professional Baseball player under the first name by which he would become widely known. "If he were here, he would be smiling happily," Ichiro said. "Life gets decided by who you meet at the end of the day, and he gave me the biggest influence. I can't thank him enough." Ichiro waved to fans cheering and chanting his name as he sat alongside his wife Yumiko in the back of a pickup truck during a parade in Cooperstown later in the day.
Kyodo News
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Baseball: Ichiro attends opening of Japan-linked Hall of Fame exhibit
COOPERSTOWN, New York - Ichiro Suzuki on Thursday attended the opening of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's latest exhibit celebrating Japanese connections to the game, along with Hideo Nomo and Cal Ripken Jr. The exhibit, titled "Yakyu/Baseball: The Transpacific Exchange of the Game," features artifacts and stories about a game that became the most popular sport in Japan less than 50 years after the country established diplomatic relations with the United States, the museum said. Ichiro, the first Asian-born player elected to the hall, will be formally inducted as a Class of 2025 member this weekend in Cooperstown, New York. The former Seattle Mariners icon is scheduled to take part in Saturday's parade with fellow Class of 2025 members CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, and will make a speech at Sunday's induction ceremony.
