ICHIRO SUZUKI Biography - Famous Sports men and women

 
 

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ICHIRO SUZUKI

Name: Ichiro Suzuki                                                                               
Born: October 22, 1973 (age 34)                                                                   
                                                                                                   
Ichiro Suzuki (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.