When I returned in 2018, it was as if I never left. Rarely do you see a throw start that low and carry that far. I was shocked. [People] would pick up the newspaper and see Ichiro got two hits, and then several paragraphs down youd find out Seattle lost the game, he says. Then Ichiro unleashed what would be dubbed The Throw, a laser beam that met David Bells glove knee-high and allowed the third baseman to gently apply a tag for the out. That was pretty crazy., Throughout the summer, the Mariners also took advantage of their geographic location, catering to Japanese fans with weekend ticket packages and accommodations. I wasn't ready for 116 kisses from the manager.\n\nHe also thanked Mariners ownership for the opportunity to contribute as a special advisor in his post-playing days.\n\nMost days, I still wear the Mariners uniform, and I do so proudly, Ichiro said. The Mariners players and coaches were blown away, as reflected in the game story in the Seattle Times written by Bob Finnegan. SEATTLE -- It began like an outdoor concert for an iconic rock star, and in many ways, Ichiro Suzuki carries that reputation in these parts. And it was a perfect throw. --Terrence Long, The ball was hit right to me. "If this team is going to go to the playoffs, they have to have Chris Carson running the football.". Niehaus was a constant. So that was a challenge. Niehaus honored with 2008 Frick, Seattle's soothing baseball voice headed to Cooperstown, Audio: Niehaus announcing during 1996 earthquake. There were a whole slew of guys that were maybe All-Stars in Japan but just not as outstanding a player [as Ichiro], but they found that there could be a role in MLB for those types of players., In 2008, Hendry engaged in a bidding war for star outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, a member of the Chunichi Dragons who had seen Ichiros success and was inspired to play abroad. 4/11/01: Ichiro Suzuki nails Terrence Long trying to go first-to-third on a single to right field. He followed up with a steal of second base in what was his first exposure on a big national stage in America. The . The M's will . "The Throw" was electric, and one of Ichiro's first introductions to baseball in the United States. He lives to train and tirelessly works to take care of his body. Once asked about comparing his body routine to NFL superstar Tom Brady, Ichiro responded with an all time quote: When baseball is your entire life, it may be difficult to find enjoyment in other things. Rounding third and heading for home. So I've often said that he was the easiest guy I've ever had to manage because all you had to do was tell him what time the game was and you knew he'd be ready and committed to go.". Retirement wasn't the 'R' word used Thursday for the how and why of Suzuki moving off the field. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He's shifting to a new role as special assistant to the chairman. Mike Trout Five highlights of Dave Niehaus' career with the Mariners. Mariners outfielder Kyle Lewis hit his fifth home run in eight games in the big leagues on Wednesday. Its just an absurdly impressive throw. Ichiro used an interpreter with the media, limiting potential discrepancies caused by the language barrier, but often surprised coaches, teammates, and opponents by starting conversations in English and talking smack. When I saw Long head for third, I just said, Youre out. Major League Baseball consists of 30 teams split between the American and National Leagues. He was just pissed., Small also reiterates how Ichiros rookie year had much bigger implications than just a championship. In 2008, the National Baseball Hall of Fame awarded Niehaus the Ford C. Frick Award, the highest honor for American baseball broadcasters. I'll always remember his grand slam call from the Ken Griffey Jr game on Super Nintendo. There was a sellout crowd on a summer Saturday night, and the introduction had all the parallels when the center of attention was finally introduced. So embrace it by giving your best without imposing limits on yourself. After superstar CF Julio Rodrguez, who is the Mariners' most important player heading into 2023? I get that question a lot, Ichiro said. Check out video, photos and more from his big night here. He made The Throw, "something out of Star Wars," as Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus exclaimed. Hes funny in that way., We just wanted to see that in a game, Piniella later told the media, a statement that Seattle Times reporter Bob Sherwin interpreted the next day: Everyone can now take a deep breath.. In the bottom of the inning, he replaced Anthony Sanders in right field and proceeded to show what set him apart. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. By the time Melvin arrived in Seattle in 2003, Suzuki was already established as a star. His breakthrough offered a glimpse of the sports past and future, all while distinguishing him as a singularly timeless talent. (AP). Not only was Ichiro an incredible hitter, he had elite speed on his side, as well. ! Ichiro shouted, after which he allowed the eager audience to roar back and take in the moment. The passion with which you welcomed me back touched my heart. He was 75. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. Whos most important on the Mariners besides Julio Rodrguez? Yet after narrowly escaping Cleveland in the ALDS, their season ended in the Bronx for the second straight year, with a loss to the Yankees in five games. And nobody has seen one since. I remember him being out in right field with Jay Buhner and they were taking infield, Rizzs says. David Niehaus had no idea who Janis Joplin was when they first met in Brazil. His defensive acumen and acrobaticshis speed, arm strength, and daring pursuit angles on fly ballsearned him a Gold Glove award in right field. pic.twitter.com/2FgBfpmIV2. WARNING: awesome, What the fuck? pic.twitter.com/NHiJ6PWM4P. Within a couple of years, however, the teams leadership had come to embrace Ichiros unorthodox style. I knew it was going to be special., Earlier in his courtship, Colborn had taken Ichiro to Peoria to tour the Mariners facility and visit Griffeys locker. Less than a decade after hed left Japan, he noticed a dramatic difference. I remember how surreal it was on the bus just looking around like, Did that just happen? Boone says. "The Throw," one of Ichiro's signature moments in his Major League . Holy shit. He was the lead playbyplay announcer for the American League's Seattle Mariners from their inaugural season in 1977 until his death after the 2010 season. Hes baseballs all-time hit king, was named to 10 straight American League All-Star teams, and is one of only two players ever to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season. So here's the audio. In 2004, he broke a then-84 year record, logging 262 hits in a single season and surpassing George . Fun Players. All rights reserved. You knew the work ethic was there. Ichiro also showed off his power by smacking balls into the seats before moving to right field and unleashing rocket throws to the infield. A Celebration of Life for Dave Niehaus; Podcasts; 2013 Seattle Seahawks Online Scrapbook; Daily Archives: February 24, . Most ballplayers, theyd wear polo shirts and golf pants, but hed have baggy jeans and a cap on backwards. Mines just as gold as yours, Boone says. Tom Tango comes up with the idea of fun points based on fan polls to determine which players generate the most fun. MLB.com features a stable of club beat reporters and award-winning national columnists, the largest contingent of baseball reporters under one roof, who deliver over 100 original articles every day. He stops the ball with the greatest of ease. That brought up pinch hitter Ramon Hernandez, who delivered a ground ball base hit to right. Dave "The Groz" Grosby will finish up his 29-year career as a daily Seattle sports radio host on Friday from noon to 3 p.m. on 710 ESPN Seattle's Bob, Groz and Tom. The Double: The most popular . I saw this angle 20 years ago and have been looking for it ever since. As part of these punishing workouts, Ichiro honed his distinctive swing. I just wanted Ichiro to do reasonably well and succeed, he says. Are you kidding me? THE THROW TO THE PLATE WILL BE . Of course, when I still run and do things, I feel like I can still play. After being hampered by injuries in both 2018 and 2019, the Japanese star has now exceeded every expectation as a two-way player, leading the league in home runs (44) and total WAR (7.8) and posting a 3.36 ERA over 21 starts. By 2006, when an Ichiro-led Japan beat the United States in the World Baseball Classic, MLB managers and players had noticed a change. He also addressed Piniella.\n\nLou kissed me right here on the cheek, Ichiro said. Inside the Tokyo Dome as a Mariners employee, Id be the only scout there, he says. This was most apparent during the 2001 All-Star Game in Seattle, when he told National League manager Bobby Valentine, Were going to kick your ass shortly after being introduced as the ALs leadoff hitter. Youre going to hit a home run off Kevin Brown tonight, Colborn remembers telling him. The Mariners front office, led at the time by general manager Woody Woodward, was skeptical of how Ichiros skill set would translate to the U.S. Ichiro announced his retirement Thursday in Tokyo after a 5-4 Mariners win over the As (the same result as his first game as a member of the Mariners), not far removed from a rousing ovation as manager Scott Servais took him out of his final game for a defensive replacement. Mr. Niehaus was more than just an announcer, he was family to the Mariners players and management. I want our players to know that I am with you in your fight to be the best. [Orix executives] would come to the Kingdome and watch games and go to the office during the day, Colborn says, but the real, ultimate goal was for us to have first choice of their players., In 1999, two years before Ichiro hit free agency, Orix expanded its agreement, allowing players to travel to Peoria to join the Mariners for spring training. I think he liked that challenge and he was uniquely equipped to handle it, Stone says. Apr 21, 2017. "His whole day, his whole night, everything he thought about, was about the next day's game and being prepared for it, from the way he works out to the routine that he's on. Anyone know what that means? And would anyone be surprised if he was on the field once more? From 2001-2010, Ichiro set a Major League record with 10 consecutive seasons of 200 or more hits. Suzuki carried the burden of an entire country in coming to America, and his success created opportunity for the countless others who have followed. What sets Mariners OF Kyle Lewis apart from other prospects. Suzuki was unlike anything the majors had seen when he left Japan for Seattle, and he's become one of the most important figures in baseball history and not just because of his 3,089 hits, 10 Gold Gloves, numerous All-Star Games, single-season hit record and MVP award. talent - Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro Suzuki - with no World Series to show for it. That changed after Ichiros breakthrough in the U.S. Matsui knew that the entire nation of Japan was looking at him, Whiting says. Thus, over the next few years, Colborn found it easy to court Ichiro, bringing him jerseys of Griffey Jr., his favorite player. A laser beam, barely 10 feet off the ground, reached third baseman David Bell on the fly with Long a good five feet from the bag. The death of Dave Niehaus, 75, will be devastating for fans in the Northwest. Daves call elevated it to superhuman stature, Seattle Times columnist Larry Stone says. SEATTLE King's Court will be back in session this summer. I thought to myself if this is customary in America, I might not make it here. But because he wasnt a large, lumbering power hitter like Barry Bonds, and because he was capable of slapping hits in every direction, Ichiro made it nearly impossible to predict where was going to put the ball in play. They show that replay of it all the time because it was such a great tag, Bell says jokingly. It also helped that the Mariners and Orix had a working agreement in which Seattle shared commercial and marketing ideas in exchange for info about NPB players. "He's the most committed player that I've ever had," Melvin recalled. Check out http://m.mlb.com/video for our full archive of videos, and subscribe on YouTube for the best, exclusive MLB content: http://youtube.com/MLB About MLB.com:Commissioner Allan H. 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