A jam-packed T-Mobile Park was moved from tears to laughter and gratitude as the Mariners retired Number 51. The number worn by both Randy Johnson and Ichiro Suzuki. While both players wore the number, it will be retired in honor of Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro joined Ken Griffey Jr. (#24), Edgar Martinez (#11) and Jackie Robinson (#42, retired by all clubs) as the only numbers retired by the Mariners.
As with everything he does Ichiro nailed his entrance. With some of his former teammates , Mariner Club dignitaries and current Mariner players standing on the dougout Ichiro strolled from Center Field when introduced by Master of Ceremony Rick Rizzs. It was a stroll that had swagger and humility. The stroll brough 45, 249 fans to their feet with shouts of I-CHI-RO! I-CHI-RO! I-CHI-RO!
EARLY BEGINNINGS
What made Ichiro’s memorable career was consistency.. In 2001, Ichiro became the first Japanese born position player to play in the Majors. Ichiro then spent 14 of his 19 MLS seasons playing for the Mariners, where he set franchise records in hits, batting average, triples, and stolen bases. In 2001, he was named AL Rookie of the Year and AL Most Valuable Player. In 2001, the Seattle Mariners won 116 games to tie an MLB record for most wins in a season.
PHOTO CREDIT TO TIM ROGERS
A GLOBAL ICON
Ichiro’s commitment to his craft on a day-to-day basis remains unmatched. His consistency is evident in his MLB Record of 10 consecutive season with 200 hits. Ichiro joins Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Dave Niehaus as Mariners representatives in Cooperstown. Ichiro played 28 professional seasons: 9 with the Orix Blue Wave of the Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (1992-2000) .
In 19 Major League seasons with the Seattle Mariners (2001-12, ’18-’19), New York Yankees (2012-14) and Miami Marlins (2015-17). In 19 MLB seasons, Ichiro played in 2,653 games, collecting 3,089 hits (2,514 singles, 362 doubles, 96 triples, and 117 home runs), scoring 1,420 runs, collecting 780 RBI, and going 509-for-626 in stolen base attempts. He finished his career with a .311 batting average (3089×9934), a .355 on-base percentage, and a .402 slugging percentage (.757 OPS).
Across his professional career in the United States and Japan, Ichiro tallied a remarkable 4,367 hits – the most in baseball history. His global legacy and enduring influence on the game are unmatched.
A SPEECH TO MATCH AN AMAZING CAREER
Ichiro delivered his jersey retirement speech in english just like his Cooperstown speech. He bega n his jersey retirement with “What’s up Seattle?!? shoutout. He was gracious to his former teammates, club personell, his wife and fans. A tribute to Randy Johnson showed his respect for those that paved the way before him. His banter of calling Ken Griffey Jr his favorite philosopher showed a playful and comical side few fans were able to see in his time with Seattle.
“I would like to begin by quoting my favorite philosopher, George Kenneth Griffey Jr., ‘I am damn proud to be a Seattle Mariner.’ Just like him I realized that by going away, there really is no place like home. So yes, I also am damn proud to be a Seattle Mariner.”
His speech was delivered with the same speed, velocity and accuracy from one of his throws from right field.
PHOTO CREDIT TIM ROGERS
A FOURTH STATUE
Mariners Chairman and Managing Partner John Stanton cemented Ichiro’s legacy with Mariners fans for generations to come. Stanton announced the team will build a fourth statue in honor of Ichiro. Legendary broadcaster Dave Niehaus, Ken Griffey Jr., and Edgar Martinez all have statues at T-Mobile Park.
“In 2026, we will honor the most prolific hitter our game has ever seen – the man who holds the all-time record for hits in a season; the man who has more global hits than any other player in the history of baseball,” said Stanton during his pregame remarks earlier this evening at T-Mobile Park. “Next year, to celebrate his transcendent international role in baseball and his leadership of the Seattle Mariners, we will build a statue of Ichiro Suzuki.”
PHOTO CREDIT TIM ROGERS
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