Ichiro Suzuki, often known simply as Ichiro (born
October 22, 1973, in Toyoyama, Nishikasugai, Aichi
Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese outfielder for the
Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball team.
Ichiro moved to the United States in 2001 after
playing nine years for the Orix Blue Wave in Japan's
Pacific League. When the Blue Wave posted him after
the 2000 season, Ichiro's rights were won by Seattle
and he signed a contract with the Mariners. He
became the first Japanese-born everyday position
player in the Major Leagues. Ichiro did not miss a
beat in his transition. He immediately established
himself as one of the premier players in the Major
Leagues, surpassing his accomplished career in
Japan.
2004 was his most impressive offensive season yet,
as he set several MLB records, including a new
all-time, single-season Major League record with 262
hits. Ichiro, equipped with one of the strongest and
most accurate throwing arms in the league, is
generally recognized as one of the best defensive
outfielders in baseball. He has won a Gold Glove
award in each of his first seven years in the
majors, all seven as an outfielder.
Ichiro is the first MLB player to join The Golden
Players Club. He was also selected the 2007 All Star
Game MVP, going three for three and hitting the
event's first ever inside-the-park home run.
Ichiro is arguably considered today's best hitter
for average. He has both tremendous hitting and
fielding abilities. In 2001, Ichiro finished first
in batting average and stolen bases and was the
first player to accomplish this feat since Jackie
Robinson. He holds many Mariners club records, some
of which include most multi-hit games, most infield
singles, most games hit safely.
