ichiro

Ichiro Suzuki was born in Aichi prefecture. When he was 3 years old, he started to play with ball and bat. When Ichiro was 8 years old, he insisted he wanted to play baseball, so he became a member of baseball club of his town. His father also became the manager of the club. However the activity was only on Sundays, so he decided to practice the baseball with his father on weekdays. Since then, for 4 years they continued to practice one-to-one everyday. When he was in high school, he participated in twice "Koshien" which is the National High School Baseball Tournament. The end of high school, the Orix Blue Waves, which is a professional baseball team, drafted him. His dream came true; he had became a professional baseball player as an outfielder.

Last year Akira Ogi became the manager of Orix Blue Waves and changed name on the back of Ichiro's uniform to "Ichiro" from "Suzuki", which was unique. At first he was ashamed of that name, however now the fans have grown fond of it. Since then he played actively, participated in All Stars Game, and got to first base 57 continuous games. It's a new Japanese record. He also registered 210 hits for a batting average of .385 which also a new Japanese record. He won many prizes including MVP. Besides he won the prize of honor in his birthplace. His batting style is unique, like a pendulum. He has become today's baseball hero.

This year (1998) the Orix Blue Waves won the Pacific League pennant. Ichiro contributed greatly to this victory.

Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11
Weight: 157 lbs
Positions: Right Fielder, Designated Hitter
Born: October 22, 1973, Kasugai
College: None

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"The Mariners recognize that Ichiro is one of the very best baseball players in the world," said Lincoln. "We are excited that he is now a Mariner. He has tremendous talent and will fit in nicely with our team and our organization."

In attendance at the news conference from the Seattle Mariners were Team President and Chief Operating Officer Chuck Armstrong, Vice President of Baseball Administration Lee Pelekoudas, Director of Pacific Rim Scouting Jim Colborn, Scout Ted Heid and Assistant to the Director of Pacific Rim Scouting Hide Sueyoshi.

In his nine seasons with the Orix Blue Wave of Japan's Pacific League, Ichiro batted .353 (1,278-for-3,619) with 118 home runs, 510 RBI, 199 stolen bases and 658 runs scored. He has been the Pacific League batting champion in each of his seven full seasons (1994-2000) and was the league's Most Valuable Player in his first three full seasons (1994-1996). Ichiro also led the league in on-base percentage in 1994-1996 and 1999-2000, and led the league in stolen bases and RBI in 1995.

"Ichiro fits very well with the Mariners and SAFECO Field," said Armstrong. "He provides a left-handed bat in the leadoff or number two spot in the lineup, with excellent speed and an above average arm in the outfield."

A 27-year old outfielder, Ichiro holds the Japanese record by going 216 consecutive plate appearances without striking out (April 16-June 25, 1997). His 210 hits in 1994 set a Japanese record. He has also won a Gold Glove Award in each of his seven full seasons (1994-2000) and was named Pacific League Best Nine from 1994-2000.

One of the most recognizable people in Japan, Ichiro said, "Playing with the Mariners is like a dream come true. I had a great experience during spring training in 1999 with the Mariners in Arizona. It is good to be joining a team that was successful last season and to be a teammate of my friend Kazu Sasaki."

Last year, Sasaki, a former star with the Yokohama Baystars of Japan's Central League, joined the Mariners and earned American League Rookie of the Year Award after saving a club record 37 games.

Ichiro was born in Kasugai, Japan and graduated from Aikoudai Meiden High School in 1992. He and his wife Yumiko reside in Kobe, Japan.

In 1999, Ichiro and two other Blue Wave players (pitchers Nobuyuki Ebisu & Nobuyuki Hoshino) were in the Mariners spring training camp in Peoria, AZ as part of the Mariners' cooperation agreement with the Orix Blue Wave.

Mariners Sign Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki

First Japanese Position Player to Sign in Majors

At a formal news conference in Kyoto, Japan, on November 18 Seattle Mariners Chief Executive Officer Howard Lincoln announced that the club has signed star outfielder Ichiro Suzuki to a three-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Ichiro becomes the first Japanese-born position player to sign with a Major League team.

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Ichiro's true power is his speed. Ichiro can make it to base on a bunt. He's been clocked at 3.7 seconds from home to first base.

-7 Time Batting Champion In Japan

-The first Japanese position player to play in the MLB

-Hit safely in 35 out of 37 games!

-Although leading the majors in at-bats, he also leads the Majors in hits

-In this latest series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Ichiro hit 14 for 28

-Has a 19 game hitting streak

-Has hit multiple times in 18 games

#51 Ichiro Suzuki

Position: Right Field

DOB: Oct. 22, 1973

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 157 Lbs.

Bats: Left

Throws: Right

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# 51

Ichiro Suzuki