Coming to Tokyo 'a great gift' for Ichiro
Greg Johns
@gregjohnsmlbTOKYO -- If Ichiro Suzuki's career is about to end, he¡¯s not letting on. But as the 45-year-old Japanese legend goes about his business this week with the Mariners, preparing for the Opening Series against the A¡¯s on Wednesday and Thursday in the Tokyo Dome, he does plan on soaking in the scene.
¡°This is a great gift for me,¡± Ichiro said at a packed news conference Saturday prior to Seattle¡¯s first workout following their 12-hour flight from Arizona. ¡°I will treasure every moment here on the field. One week after this event, I will be reflecting back on these days, so I will make sure I remember every moment here in Japan.¡±
Ichiro is expected to start in left field in Wednesday¡¯s 2:35 a.m. PT opener, and the mere sight of him running out to his position figures to trigger an avalanche of noise in the 45,000-seat facility -- much as it did during the Mariners' 6-4 exhibition win over the Yomiuri Giants on Sunday, when Ichiro played right field and went hitless in three at-bats.
After the two exhibition games against the Giants on Sunday and Monday, there will be a pair of regular-season games against the A¡¯s. With a 28-man roster for the international games, the Mariners have an extra outfield spot for Ichiro.
When they return to Seattle and have to cut down to a final 25-man roster for their home opener March 28 against the Red Sox, it¡¯s unlikely there¡¯ll be a spot on the rebuilding club for him. But while general manager Jerry Dipoto said he¡¯s discussed what happens next with Ichiro, he insists, ¡°We have drawn no conclusions¡± as to the end game.
¡°We¡¯re just going to appreciate this week for what it is, an opportunity to send him out to the field and see where it leads,¡± Dipoto said. ¡°Our commitment was that if he comes out of spring healthy, he¡¯s going to be in the lineup when we get here to Tokyo. That has happened, and we¡¯re going to take the next step and see where that takes us.¡±
It¡¯s impossible to ignore the reality, however, that the 10-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award winner is nearing the end. He hit just 2-for-25 in Cactus League play this spring, with three walks and nine strikeouts.
But while everyone else may be pondering the end, Ichiro bristled a bit when asked at Saturday¡¯s news conference -- an event packed with several hundred Japanese journalists -- how he¡¯d know when it¡¯s time to stop playing.
¡°When would I know?¡± Ichiro replied. ¡°I have no idea when I would know that. I¡¯m not used to questions like this.¡±
But when you¡¯re 45 years old, you are used to having to prove yourself over and over, even when you¡¯ve collected more hits than any player in history when combining the numbers from Japan and MLB.
While manager Scott Servais said Ichiro¡¯s situation is being taken day by day at this point, it doesn¡¯t faze him.
¡°In 2012, I was traded to New York, and after that, I lived day by day to my utmost,¡± Ichiro said. ¡°After I moved to Miami, I did the same thing. Day after day, I trained. In the Major Leagues, it¡¯s a very tough world. You can be told at any time that you¡¯re gone. That is my basic understanding. But I¡¯m still here.¡±
Dipoto believes Ichiro earned this opportunity ¡°as a tribute to his career,¡± not just as a Mariner, but as a worldwide phenom.
¡°He¡¯s accomplished so much,¡± Dipoto said. ¡°He¡¯s been an MVP, a batting champ in two countries, he¡¯s had more hits than any player that ever played. For most players, it ends quickly. The average prime years for a player in baseball today is about 27-28 years old. That¡¯s how long Ichiro has been playing.
¡°Think about that. Ichiro has been playing about as long as Mitch Haniger has been alive. That¡¯s a phenomenal thing.¡±
So is the hoopla surrounding Ichiro and new Mariners starter Yusei Kikuchi as they¡¯ve returned to their native land this week. For their teammates, it¡¯s been an eye-opening experience from the moment they touched down in Tokyo.
¡°I can¡¯t imagine what that¡¯s like, to walk around the city or try to go out to dinner,¡± said Mariners left-hander Wade LeBlanc, who played one year in Japan in 2015. ¡°They¡¯re like gods here. They¡¯re bigger than rock stars are in America, and that¡¯s crazy to think about. It¡¯s hard to wrap your mind around.¡±