Ichiro's journey ends where it started

Ichiro Suzuki’s storied and brilliant baseball career ended where it all began, in Japan.

The great left-handed hitter, and certain first-ballot Hall of Famer in the Class of 2025, told the Seattle Mariners he intended to retire after his club concluded a season-opening series against the Oakland A’s in Tokyo Dome.

As Ichiro Suzuki departed from baseball Thursday, officially announcing his retirement to the world in Tokyo, the Mariners legend offered a last insight for us all into the mindset that made him tick, fueling him to become one of the greatest hitters the game has ever seen.

"I'm going to work out tomorrow," Ichiro admitted to reporters following the Mariners' 5-4 victory over the Oakland A's in extra innings. "I don't think I will be sitting on the couch."

He continued, after being asked if he'll step out of retirement to play for Japan in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. "No. This is the end for me. This is what we decided for me with baseball. "I have achieved so many of my dreams in baseball," Ichiro said in a statement released by the team.  "I am honored to end my big league career where it started, with Seattle, and think it is fitting that my last games as a professional were played in my home country of Japan." Ichiro played his first professional game in 1992 for the Orix BlueWave and nine seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball. Orix posted him and the Mariners won the bidding, signing Ichiro prior to the  2001 season.

He played a little more than 27 seasons, 18-plus in the Major Leagues for Seattle, the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins. A 10-time American League All-Star, he enjoyed 10 consecutive seasons of 200 hits or more, breaking the Major League record with 262 in 2004. During that period, he smacked 2,533 of his 3,089 Major League hits playing for the Mariners. Adding his 1,278 hits in nine seasons playing for the BlueWave, Ichiro amassed a record 4,367 hits on two continents. He played in a total 3,604 games – 2,653 in the Major Leagues and 951 in Japan.

Thank you Ichiro for allowing this generation to witness one of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball. We have enjoyed watching you play the game gracefully with pride and honor.