The opening game between the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics took place on 20th ,21st March in Tokyo. It was the last game for 45 years old outfielder Ichiro Suzuki in the major league. It was officially announced of Ichiro's retirement by the Mariners that he left the team after the opening game on 21st March. In fact he got a just two hits during pre season, so his batting average was .080, 2 for 25 in 12 games. I couldn't believe his batting average was so bad, but the Mariners decided to use him in the opening series in Tokyo. It was a very big gift for baseball fans, Japanese people and Ichiro. I appreciate the Seattle Mariners, his team mates, baseball fans and Ichiro. He doesn't play in the major league anymore but he will work in the Seattle Mariners organization, so I have high hopes for his next stage.
He played 9 years in NPB and then played 19 years in MLB. He is the best Japanese player in NPB and MLB. His career stats in the major league consist of .311, 3,089 hits and 117 home runs with 10 All Star games in 19 seasons. That's an amazing record.
Actually, we have visit the US or Canada to watch baseball games every summer since 2005. However, if Ichiro didn't play in the major league, we wouldn't visit the US. He made us study English conversation and learn about baseball, American culture and society. I could understand big differences about everything between Japan and the US. I think that he removed a gap in baseball between NPB and MLB. I'd like to say again “Thank you, Ichiro!”.
