It has been anything but an average Tuesday for Ichiro Suzuki.
After the Japanese legend was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame earlier in the day, the Seattle Mariners added to Suzuki's big day by announcing that they will retire his iconic No. 51 on Aug. 9 this summer.
The 10-time All-Star will join Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Jackie Robinson as the only players to have their numbers retired in Seattle.
“For nearly a quarter of a century, Ichiro has been an integral part of the Seattle Mariners organization,” Mariners Chairman and Managing Partner John Stanton said in a release by the team. “And today’s announcement will assure that his number will be proudly displayed in T-Mobile Park forever as he aptly joins Ken and Edgar as Mariners in the Hall of Fame.
“Ichiro was a trailblazer when he arrived in 2001 and ushered in a new era for international players with his impact, and he demonstrated daily his love of the game, and the skill, passion and preparation that only the truly great have over his playing career,” Stanton continued. “And Ichiro has continued to have an impactful role, both on and off the field, with our club since his retirement five years ago.
“He is most deserving of the ultimate honour the Mariners franchise can bestow.”
The ceremony will take place during what the club is dubbing "Ichiro Hall of Fame Weekend" from Aug. 8-10, when Seattle is scheduled to host the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park.
Suzuki appeared on 99.7 per cent of BBWAA ballots on his way into Cooperstown as a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, falling one vote short of becoming just the second player to be induced unanimously.
He is the first Japanese player to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker and Dick Allen will join Suzuki at the Cooperstown induction ceremony on July 27.
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