Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Ichiro Suzuki


I totally want to meet Ichiro in person. He is much younger than I am but he is just soooooo handsome and talented!!!

Ichiro Suzuki (鈴木 一朗, Suzuki Ichirō?), often known simply as Ichiro (イチロー, Ichirō?), is the center fielder for the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball team. He was born October 22, 1973, in Toyoyama, Nishikasugai, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

Ichiro moved to the United States in 2001 after playing for 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 American Major Leagues, matching or even 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 recognized as one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball. He has won a Gold Glove award in each of his first six years in the majors, all six as a right fielder.

Suzuki is the first MLB player to join The Golden Players Club.