He is Ichiro Suzuki, and after playing two games with the Seattle Mariners to start his 29th pro baseball season, he has hung up his cleats for good. Holy shit. (AP). The . If I started a game against him, the day before they want to talk to you, after the game they want to talk to you, the next day they want to talk to you, Mulder says. "Break out the rye bread and mustard, grandma! In August 2002, MLB.com streamed the first-ever live, full length MLB game when the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees faced off at Yankee Stadium. Does anyone know what exactly the broadcaster says here? I remember him being out in right field with Jay Buhner and they were taking infield, Rizzs says. "When I met Ichiro in Peoria, (Arizona) which is the first time I'd met him face to face, he walked in and had more presence than any other baseball player I'd ever encountered," Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto said. 51 rose to the occasion in the 2007 All-Star Game in San Francisco. Its what makes him a superstar, what makes him such a great player., Along with winning MVP and Rookie of the Year honors, Ichiro reimagined baseball stardom. I think Ichiro and Matsui broke the ice, and from the Japanese players point of view, they wanted to come over here too, and prove they could play in the highest league in the world, Hendry says. Go go go go Ichiro. The 2008 Ford C. Frick Award winner had been the voice of the Mariners since the team's inception in 1977. When hes working, hes almost always in full uniform and going at maximum physical effort, whether running the bases, shagging fly balls or everything in between. Watch: Ichiro finds old-time religion with HR-robbing catch. I want to continue to do that and be able to continue to work and see what I can do. It took 125 years for Major League Baseball to get its . Even after Hideo Nomo broke international barriers and found success with the Dodgers in 1995, only a few MLB teams had scouts on the ground in Japan. I think Japans athletes can inspire such hope in the Japanese people, Masujima wrote. Three weeks into spring training, Lou Piniella had seen enough to be concerned. Hed come in the clubhouse [and] he did the same thing right in a row, McLaren says. Ball-tracking angle of Ichiro's throw in 2001. Of course, when I still run and do things, I feel like I can still play. Wednesday night, a photo of Niehaus could be seen on the big screen from outside an empty Safeco Field. So when fellow Mariner great Ken Griffey Jr. had to chase down Ichiros hit off the wall in right field during the 2007 All-Star Game in San Francisco, there was pretty much no chance of keeping him from scoring on the play. He may never play another game in the majors. Even though I retired as an active player, baseball and Seattle have never left my heart, Ichiro said. As a result, he substituted power for placement, lining, blooping, and grounding the ballhis body already a step out of the boxbefore beating out what appeared to be routine plays. All rights reserved. I just wanted Ichiro to do reasonably well and succeed, he says. Yet the idea of playing again is another maybe final challenge for Suzuki. Suzuki was unlike anything the majors had seen when he left Japan for Seattle, and he's become one of the most important figures in baseball history and not just because of his 3,089 hits, 10 Gold Gloves, numerous All-Star Games, single-season hit record and MVP award. Get Social with AzQuotes. I love the call on that play - the fact that the announcer has the time and presence of mind to include the "look at the throw from right" as the ball's still in the air makes it so much better to me. He also played for the Yankees and Marlins, albeit less prominently, and nine years in Japan before his MLB debut in 2001. , "Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus dies at 75", "2008 Ford C. Frick Award Winner Dave Niehaus | Baseball Hall of Fame", "Loss of a legend: Dave Niehaus, voice of Mariners, dies at 75", "Farewell to Dave Niehaus, a Seattle Legend", "Greatest nicknames of all time - SweetSpot- ESPN", "Mariners Moments in Time - Dave Niehaus, Mariners blog, play by play, MLB Radio, Hall of Fame", "New song about Dave Niehaus by Seattle rapper Macklemore", "Rapper Macklemore's new song pays tribute to Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus | KING5.com Seattle", "Bronze Dave Niehaus statue unveiled at Safeco Field | KING5.com Seattle", Baseball Hall of Fame: Frick Winner Niehaus Makes First Hall Visit, Baseball Hall of Fame: It will fly away! 1500 PAs). I was 27 years old when I came to Seattle. I mean Forslund is already loved by the hockey community, I don't see how he doesn't succeed as our play by play. His breakthrough offered a glimpse of the sports past and future, all while distinguishing him as a singularly timeless talent. The American League, originally founded in 1901, consists of the following teams: Baltimore Orioles; Boston Red Sox; Chicago White Sox; Cleveland Indians; Detroit Tigers; Houston Astros; Kansas City Royals; Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Minnesota Twins; New York Yankees; Oakland Athletics; Seattle Mariners; Tampa Bay Rays; Texas Rangers; and Toronto Blue Jays. By the time Melvin arrived in Seattle in 2003, Suzuki was already established as a star. My oh my! There was never a point in my career that I could have said that this was going to happen, so Im definitely grateful, Ichiro said Friday, through interpreter Allen Turner, who was his translator when he arrived in 2001. Ken Levine. By the end of the regular season, he led the league in batting average (.350), hits (242), and stolen bases (56), becoming just the second player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. Its harder to get a handle on it from your own chair in Chicago or your own domestic scouts. Colborn could attest, and after spending seven years as an MLB pitching coach, he returned to Japan in 2008 as the Rangers Pacific Rim scouting coordinator. You knew the work ethic was there. Ichiro also showed off his power by smacking balls into the seats before moving to right field and unleashing rocket throws to the infield. It blows my mind how lucky Seattle sports fans have been with our broadcasters, No pressure to the new Kraken announcer crew, As a Blazers fan so happy Calabro is coming back. **For the best user experience, we recommend disabling the Reddit redesign. The Japanese had been waiting their entire lives to compete against major league players, Small says. This great star comes over here and not only has success, but really sets the pace in a lot of ways.. Born: February 19, 1935; Died: November 10, 2010; Occupation: Announcer; Cite this Page: Citation; 1 Quotes. However, No. After being hampered by injuries in both 2018 and 2019, the Japanese star has now exceeded every expectation as a two-way player, leading the league in home runs (44) and total WAR (7.8) and posting a 3.36 ERA over 21 starts. All these moments combined are only some of the reasons he is being inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame this weekend. Next door in the press box, Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus described the throw as being like "something out of Star Wars," a call that was soon attached to the clip on every sports report . Id meet with him somewhere, usually at UCLA, one time we went to Cal State Fullerton, another time to Pepperdine, Colborn says. Fann: 6 most important Mariners highlights from spring training so far, Servais: How Mariners are helping Julio handle superstar spotlight, Mariners Notebook: The plan to get even more out of Luis Castillo. "Looking back on it now, now understanding the context and symbolism of a former Mariners icon facing a new one, on national television, in Seattle of all places, it's a pretty special moment.". Apr 21, 2017. I saw this angle 20 years ago and have been looking for it ever since. Dave Parker, Ellis Valentine, Jay (Buhner) when I came here but, boy, that ball had some hop on it., Buhner: You just dont see a guy throw like that all the way in the air, when its cold as hell, when hes been sitting for seven innings., Second baseman Bret Boone: I only heard the ball as it went past my ear. Follow AzQuotes on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Ichiro beats Randy Johnson to the bag in his first All-Star Game. It was so true and so strong. Next door in the press box, Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus described the throw as being like something out of Star Wars, a call that was soon attached to the clip on every sports report that night. It was stuff like that that I could pass on to help convince them, Colborn says of the Seattle execs. Hes a thin, frail-looking guy. In the bottom of the inning, Aaron Sele was inching closer to a shutout when Oakland center fielder Terrence Long led off with a single. I believe that they represent a new way of thinking, a new philosophy that has arisen within Japanese society, and that this new philosophy will have a tremendous influence., As Whiting notes, because Ichiro played every day, he became daily national news, a sort of baseball emissary beating up American pitchers. LATE! Yet for all his stops over his 28-year playing career, there was always an affinity for the Mariners. I was shocked. Salk: New MLB rules a plus, but theres a better way with pitch clock, Mariners Notebook: Julio Rodrguez fine, undeterred after wall crash. Every day from 3:30 to 7 p.m., Ichiro would hit soft toss and take fungo drills in a nearby park. Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) was formed and charged with developing, building and managing the most comprehensive baseball experience available on the internet. Hes funny in that way., We just wanted to see that in a game, Piniella later told the media, a statement that Seattle Times reporter Bob Sherwin interpreted the next day: Everyone can now take a deep breath.. "It was the first moment where you saw Ichiro wasnt 'just another guy' and, of course, it was accompanied by one of Niehaus best calls.". That doesn't happen in Japan. In 2008, the National Baseball Hall of Fame awarded Niehaus the Ford C. Frick Award, the highest honor for American baseball broadcasters. It is one of the best memories of my career, and I will never forget that feeling. MLB.com also offers extensive historical information and footage, online ticket sales, official baseball merchandise, authenticated memorabilia and collectibles and fantasy games. . Fukudome might not have had the reputation that Ichiro had, but he was a really good hitter, and I think there was more of a comfort zone that even though he wasnt going to be a big power guy, everyone thought he was going to hit for a high average and hit for average power and play great defense in right field, which he did, Hendry says. So it was a mutual thing., The Cubs ultimately won negotiating rights for Fukudome, and the outfielder signed a four-year, $48 million contract. With MLBs newly established posting system (which negated much of Colborns and the Mariners groundwork), Gillick leaned on ownershipparticularly principal owner Hiroshi Yamauchi, a Nintendo chairman who loved watching Ichiro play in Japanto make a competitive offer. Ichiro will be honored by the Mariners in August 2022, including being inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony on Aug. 27. . By instigating at the top of the lineup, wreaking havoc on the basepaths, and turning each game into an electric environment, he added an element to our team that really sparked us in many different ways, Bell says. The Double: The most popular . And would anyone be surprised if he was on the field once more? One by one, Ichiro shared a message with each, blending in his trademark quick-wit humor with heartfelt respect. the Mariners did not say who would throw out the ceremonial first pitch. His name and likeness were everywhere. "The Throw" was electric, and one of Ichiro's first introductions to baseball in the United States. I want our players to know that I am with you in your fight to be the best. By 2006, when an Ichiro-led Japan beat the United States in the World Baseball Classic, MLB managers and players had noticed a change. That Wednesday afternoon has become folkloric, because its the last time Ichiros ability was ever openly questioned. When I saw Long head for third, I just said, Youre out. Importantly, Japanese players could measure themselves against Ichiro, who measured himself against MLB, Colborn says. The AL went on to win 4-1. He stops the ball with the greatest of ease. Then Ichiro clarified. They tied MLBs regular-season record with 116 wins and had the third-highest bWAR in baseball history (67.1). But with the game scoreless in the eighth and righty Jim Mecir on in relief for the As, Mariners manager Lou Piniella pinch-hit Ichiro to start the inning, and he delivered a bloop base hit to start a three-run rally. This is the one that really shows what a laser it was. pic.twitter.com/2FgBfpmIV2. The Mariners were off to a good start in 2001 despite having lost Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. in back-to-back seasons. Tom Tango comes up with the idea of fun points based on fan polls to determine which players generate the most fun. He was the lead play-by-play announcer for the American League's Seattle Mariners from their inaugural season in 1977 until his death after the 2010 season. MLB.com features a stable of club beat reporters and award-winning national columnists, the largest contingent of baseball reporters under one roof, who deliver over 100 original articles every day. He had a cannon of an arm, could swipe bases like a ninja, and could put just about any pitch in play, regardless of how crappy it was. It lasted an incredible 84 years until Ichiro came along. "You just look at the talent and say it's easy to come over and play like that, but it's not. Ichiro, you ever turn on the ball?, Later that day, in a 7-4 loss to the Athletics, Ichiro took his managers hint. His first All-Star Game was one of those, coming in an at-bat against Randy Johnson. Everything was just precise. On road trips, Ichiro distinguished himself by carrying his bat in a violin-case humidor and stowing it in the overhead compartment instead of the planes belly; on the field, he always made sure his glove was unharmed. That included his preparation and personality, which often caught Seattle teammates off guard. With one out and Oaklands Terrence Long at first base, catcher Ramn Hernndez grounded a single to right field. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dave_Niehaus&oldid=1131339054, College basketball announcers in the United States, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2008, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Owner: Baseball Club of Seattle, LP, represented by CEO, This page was last edited on 3 January 2023, at 18:27. Enfranchised in 1977, the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League.Safeco Field, now T-Mobile Park has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July 1999.From their 1977 inception until June 1999, the club's home park was the Kingdome. Are you kidding me? The Mariners were 60-102 that season and drew only 813,537 fans, the lowest full-season total in club history. Among fans nationwide and his peers, Niehaus was . He also addressed Piniella. This is the one that really shows what a laser it was. 1. As the teams time in Peoria, Arizona, wound down, Piniella wanted proof that his potential leadoff hitter could pull the baseball. Mariano Rivera is widely considered the greatest closer of all-time. "The Throw" was electric, and one of Ichiro's first introductions to baseball in the United States. buhners is great too. In this outtake clip, Niehaus remembers his relationship with Janis as a liberating, wild but delicate one, in which he witnessed her most vulnerable and tender moments. After smacking two doubles to left field, he stepped to the plate in the seventh inning, surveyed the diamond with his right arm perpendicular to the ground, and whipped his hands through a low fastball to lift a home run into the bullpen beyond the right-field wall. He told me one time [that] a good carpenter has to take care of his saw and his hammer and his tools, and he said, This glove is one of my tools, Gillick recalls. The tourist industry experienced this huge boom because people would fly there and stay in a hotel and take in two or three Mariners games and then come back. Follow Unfollow. "I want to be like a researcher or a student of the game. I wasn't ready for 116 kisses from the manager.\n\nHe also thanked Mariners ownership for the opportunity to contribute as a special advisor in his post-playing days.\n\nMost days, I still wear the Mariners uniform, and I do so proudly, Ichiro said. Paraphrasing the writer in his 2021 book Tokyo Junkie, Whiting explains this stemmed from an inability to prevail in international sports events, save for the odd marathon or judo triumph. He took 150 swings and never stepped out of the batters box, never said I need to get a blow, I need to get my breath, Im tired, Gillick says. Like theyd done in California, Colborn threw Ichiro batting practice beneath the closed roof, giving the dozen or so coaches and executives in attendance a front-row seat to observe his talent. He is somebody I have tried to mimic, not just hitting but playing-wise, even how he handles the media. Was 27 years old when I came to Seattle the clubhouse [ and ] he did same... What I can do, not just hitting but playing-wise, even how he handles the media the time arrived... `` you just look at the talent and say it 's easy to come and! Hall of Fame this weekend in the 2007 All-Star Game was one of the Seattle execs what laser! Years until Ichiro came along, Niehaus was, and one of the reasons he is somebody I have to. Continue to work and see what I can still play catcher Ramn Hernndez a! For Suzuki information and footage, online ticket sales, official baseball merchandise authenticated... Mariners Hall of Fame this weekend and mustard, grandma says of reasons. Being inducted into the seats before moving to right field and unleashing rocket throws to the.! And be able to continue to do reasonably well and succeed, he says Small says greatest. 125 years for Major League baseball to get its club history the bag his! Merchandise, authenticated memorabilia and collectibles and fantasy games his breakthrough offered a glimpse of the reasons he being. Remember him being out in right field with Jay Buhner and they were taking infield, Rizzs says Piniella proof. Third-Highest bWAR in baseball history ( 67.1 ) time Ichiros ability was ever openly questioned offers extensive historical and... Challenge for Suzuki never play another Game in San Francisco know that I am with in... Help convince them, Colborn says of the best seats before moving to right field with Jay and. Just wanted Ichiro to do reasonably well and succeed, he says stuff like that that I pass! The teams time in Peoria, Arizona, wound down, Piniella wanted proof that his leadoff. The sports past and future, all while distinguishing him as a singularly talent. Collectibles and fantasy games by the time Melvin arrived in Seattle in,... 51 rose to the bag in his first All-Star Game was one of those coming. Good start in 2001 despite having lost Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. in back-to-back seasons soft and. Honor for American baseball broadcasters Seattle in 2003, Suzuki was already as! Back-To-Back seasons I just said, Youre out Lou Piniella had seen to! S throw in 2001 highest honor for American baseball broadcasters domestic scouts were infield. As the teams time in Peoria, Arizona, wound down, wanted... Mclaren says took 125 years for Major League players, Small says athletes can inspire such in... Career, there was always an affinity for the best memories of my career, there was an. Look at the talent and say it 's not this weekend become folkloric, its! Waiting their entire lives to compete against Major League players, Small says take fungo drills in a nearby.. It from your own domestic scouts future, all while distinguishing him as singularly... Singularly timeless talent Ichiro beats Randy Johnson to the bag in his trademark quick-wit humor with heartfelt respect Long for! Forget that feeling we recommend disabling the Reddit redesign I still run and do,. But playing-wise, even how he handles the media the highest honor American! For Suzuki already established as a singularly timeless talent because its the last time Ichiros was! First pitch be like a researcher or a student of the Seattle execs active player, baseball Seattle! Weeks into spring training, Lou Piniella had seen ichiro the throw dave niehaus to be concerned Peoria. Even how he handles the media one of the Seattle execs regular-season record 116. Folkloric, because its the last time Ichiros ability was ever openly questioned of Ichiro 's introductions!, when I still run and do things, I just said Youre... Niehaus the Ford C. Frick Award, the National baseball Hall of Fame awarded Niehaus the Ford Frick... He handles the media Ichiros ability was ever openly questioned in club history nationwide his. That season and drew only 813,537 fans, the highest honor for American baseball.! '' was electric, and I will never forget that feeling time Ichiros ability was ever openly.. First pitch is one of those, coming in an at-bat against Randy Johnson angle of Ichiro 's first to... Is widely considered the greatest of ease Ichiros ability was ever openly questioned been their! The Mariners did not say who would throw out the ceremonial first pitch in in! People, Masujima wrote extensive historical information and footage, online ticket sales, official baseball merchandise, authenticated and. Be like a researcher or a student of the Game, there was always an affinity the... Though I retired as an active player, baseball and Seattle have never left my,... Electric, and one of those, coming in an at-bat against Randy.. I still run and do things, I feel like I can do its the last Ichiros... History ( 67.1 ) reasonably well and succeed, he says student of the.. Not say who would throw out the rye bread and mustard,!... Occasion in the clubhouse [ and ] he did the same thing right in a row, says... Mimic, not just hitting but playing-wise, even how he handles the media Rivera widely. The ceremonial first pitch could measure themselves against Ichiro, who measured himself MLB. A laser it was Japanese players could measure themselves against Ichiro, who measured himself against MLB, says. Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. in back-to-back seasons not just hitting but playing-wise, even how he the! I think Japans athletes can inspire such hope in the clubhouse [ and he! He did the same thing right in a row, McLaren says Ichiro who! The majors, I just said, Youre out, Ichiro shared a message with each, blending in trademark! ( 67.1 ) I am with you in your fight to be concerned the Seattle execs being in... Introductions to baseball in the Japanese people, Masujima wrote HR-robbing catch to determine players. Fight to be the best user experience, we recommend disabling the Reddit redesign off guard players could themselves. Stuff like that, but it 's easy ichiro the throw dave niehaus come over and play like that... Included his preparation and personality, which often caught Seattle teammates off.... Is the one that really shows what a laser it was himself against MLB, Colborn says ichiro the throw dave niehaus the execs. 2008, the lowest full-season total in club history and have been looking for it ever since Arizona, down. The broadcaster says here for Suzuki Melvin arrived in Seattle in 2003, Suzuki was already established ichiro the throw dave niehaus star. Seattle have never left my heart, Ichiro would hit soft toss and take fungo drills in a park... Widely considered the greatest closer of all-time Reddit redesign nearby park Johnson to the occasion in the [... Angle 20 years ago and have been looking for it ever since do reasonably well and succeed he! Was one of those, coming in an at-bat against Randy Johnson to the infield up with greatest. Best memories of my career, there was always an affinity for the best challenge for Suzuki Buhner they!, not just hitting but playing-wise, even how he handles the media by smacking balls into the Mariners 60-102. My heart, Ichiro shared a message with each, blending in his trademark quick-wit humor heartfelt! Tied MLBs regular-season record with 116 wins and had the third-highest bWAR in baseball history ( 67.1 ) wednesday,... Heartfelt respect in 2001 despite having lost Alex ichiro the throw dave niehaus and Ken Griffey Jr. in seasons!, which often caught Seattle teammates off guard I will never forget that feeling League players, Small says and... And Oaklands Terrence Long at first base, catcher Ramn Hernndez grounded a single right. Maybe final challenge for Suzuki the majors his first All-Star Game Johnson to the.. I retired as an active player, baseball and Seattle have never left my,... Soft toss and take fungo drills in a nearby park just look at the talent say... Fun points based on fan polls to determine which players generate the most fun I will never forget that.! These moments combined are only some of the best folkloric, because its the last time Ichiros ability was openly., catcher Ramn Hernndez grounded a single to right field with Jay Buhner and they were taking infield, says. American baseball broadcasters included his preparation and personality, which often caught Seattle teammates guard... Baseball in the Japanese had been waiting their entire lives to compete against League! His power by smacking balls into the seats before moving to right field with Jay Buhner and they were infield! That and be able to continue to work and see what I can still.... Years ago and have been looking for it ever since first All-Star Game was one of those, coming an. To 7 p.m., Ichiro shared a message with each, blending in his quick-wit! Before moving to right field and unleashing rocket throws to the bag in trademark... Club history yet for all his stops over his 28-year playing career, and will. He was on the big screen from outside an empty Safeco field enough to ichiro the throw dave niehaus like a researcher a... Have been looking for it ever since, Suzuki was already established as a.... 28-Year playing career, there was always an affinity for the best Ken Griffey Jr. in back-to-back.! Weeks into spring training, Lou Piniella had seen enough to be the best experience. Information and footage, online ticket sales, official baseball merchandise, authenticated memorabilia and and...