Ichiro Had the Perfect Goodbye From Baseball 

If someone doesn't vote for him first ballot for the hall of fame, not only should they have their vote revoked for life, they should be exiled to a remote island.

When ichiro debuted in America I was 10. Immediately i connected with him. I was a slender, contact and speed outfielder who always had a fascination for Japan. He immediately became one of my favorites. When he retired, I was a 28 year old whose first child had been born. Losing Ichiro was really the final semblance of my childhood leaving me. I can only hope my sons find something they connect with the way I connected with Ichiro.

Fun fact: In Ichiro's first MLB game, the Mariners beat the Athletics 5-4. In Ichiro's last MLB game, the Mariners also beat the Athletics 5-4.

2:08 Ichiro only having, well, Ichiro on the back of his jersey is actually a hold over from his NPB days. "Suzuki" is like the second most common family name in Japan, so to make him stand out more, his team's manager had him use his given name instead as a publicity stunt.

Ichiro was, and still is, an absolute legend. He broke so many records and had so many incredible performances that straight up broke what everyone thought was possible in the MLB.

The Ichiro Backyard Baseball theme was a nice touch

Being an M’s is one of the strangest pro sports teams to experiences you can have. An immense effect on the game with historical seasons, moments and superstar players. Yet I can count our postseason appearances on one hand. Ichi only reminds me why I love being a Mariners fan 💙

Watching this video made me realize that in 2018 at a Padres game at PetCo I watched him warm up. I never realized he wasn’t technically playing at the point just thought it was an off day. It makes watching him warm up that day even better knowing he was probably doing it in part just for the fans in another ball park.

That throw, at 45 years old, is insane

My favorite player of all time. Ichiro came to the Mariners when I was 7 years old and left when I was 18. Then he came back to finish his career when I was 25. I stayed up all night in Seattle to watch his final game in Japan. My friends and I attended all 3 of his Mariners hall of fame games last season. I will do everything in my power to see him when he gets inducted in Cooperstown. Seattle loves him so much and he is still involved with the organization. There will never be another Ichiro!

One of the best pure hitters there was. And a rocket arm too

I was with my Dad at one of the events in the lead up to the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit. I think it might have been the Derby, but I can't remember now, and it doesn't matter anyway. I was hanging on the fence along the third base foul line with a bunch of other kids while the players were warming up in the afternoon, all of us trying to entice players to come over and sign balls, gloves, ticket stubs, etc. I would've been in high school at the time, playing third base, batting cleanup, doing some pitching on the side on the high school team. I'm Korean by ethnicity. Mom and Dad are white (I was adopted as a 3 month old, so the US and Michigan are all I've ever known). I think that all the other kids in our little clump of autograph seekers were white, but no matter, that was the norm for me. Anyway, I was a *huge* Hideo Nomo fan when he "retired" from the NPB and came over to the Dodgers. I cannot tell you how cool it was to watch this dude, this rookie with a crazy windup show up and just stun MLB. And to see a guy from Asia, a guy who looked like *me* be the guy doing it? I was super proud, and all my teammates in rec ball started calling me Nomo once he really blew up. It was a ton of fun. Really made me feel like I belonged. Then, when Ichiro came over, I was totally hooked. Always tried to talk Dad into getting tickets to the Tigers whenever the M's were in town so that I could watch Ichiro play. I was completely obsessed with him and the way he played the game. Didn't hurt that one of my uncles lived in Seattle and had season tickets to the Mariners and thus got to tell me stories about watching Ichiro hold down right field in Safeco. Fast forward a few years to the ASG, and I'm standing there with the other kids, hoping to snag some autographs and maybe get to say hi to a player or two. A few players came by, but most of em passed us without a thought on the way to the clubhouse. No biggie now as a 35 year old. I'm sure they had stuff to do, etc, and didn't want to get sucked into a prolonged signing session. Sucked as a kid tho. So we're all bummed out and most of the kids are starting to filter away since most of the players had gone into the clubhouse and we'd been standing there for at least an hour. Then Ichiro started to make his way from long toss in left toward the home team dugout. He was maybe 40 or 50 feet away from the infield fence and also ignoring us as the other guys had done. I was desperate for him to sign my ticket stub, or even just smile and wave, anything would've sufficed, so I pre-emptively moved down the fence toward the dugout as he jogged by the remaining gaggle of other kids. As he approached the area I was loitering at, I called out to him and waved, and he looked over and we made eye contact. :Cue the swelling orchestral hero music in the background: Then, like a hero out of a comic book, he jogged over, big smile, and made a little bit of small talk with me. He asked me where I was from, and poked a bit of fun about my mismatched jersey and hat. I was wearing a Tigers jersey, but had my HS team cap on. His English was kinda not super great at best, very broken at worst, and I knew zero Japanese, so I'm sure it was a little awkward for him to try and interact with me, but he did it anyway. We made a bit more small talk before all the other kids and the gross, grown ass adult memorabilia scalpers noticed what was happening. I thanked him profusely for stopping to talk and then kicked myself for not buying an official ball that he could sign. He said "no problem" and then asked if he could sign my ticket instead. He wrote "Keep playing your best! Good luck - Ichiro #51." I'm sure he only came over because he saw an Asian kid at a time and place where we were pretty rare, but I didn't care then and don't care now. It was probably the most special interaction I've ever had with baseball, and I've had a few pretty damn neat ones. Alex Sanchez threw me his hat at the end of the last game of the Tigers record-setting 119-loss 2003 season. Nate Robertson let me throw a short bullpen with him when he came by our high school's field while we were practicing once (he lived in the area at the time). Ichiro takes the cake for me tho. After Ichiro headed into the dugout, I walked up to where Dad had been waiting, and he said he'd seen the whole thing and told me that I'd never forget that moment for the rest of my life, and then we went up to our seats and watched whatever the festivities were. Dad was exactly right. Can't remember anything else about the All-Star Game, the HR Derby, etc, but I ain't ever gonna forget the feeling when Ichiro and I made eye contact, and he chose to come over and make my day. What an experience! Sorry for the Great Wall of Text, just wanted to share a cool story about this Hall of Fame player. Real big hero for me and tons of other kids.

I was at his final game in Tokyo. It's something I will remember his exit of the game for the rest of my life. It was truly so special. Ichiro's MLB debut was against Oakland. The Mariners won 5-4. His very last game was against Oakland, and again, the Mariners won 5-4.

He was one of the finest athletes I've ever seen. He was great throwing people out when they would try to take an extra base or advance from 1st to 3rd base.

The impact Ichiro had on the game was incedible. I happened to be in cleveland in 04 when Thome was in his prime, went to a game and Seattle was in town. He was treated like a hometown hero, he got louder cheers when he came to bat then Thome!! Everyone loves Ichiro, EVERYONE.

an ending to an amazing career

During the off season in the last a few years, Ichiro has gone to several high school teams in Japan. I really respect what he's been doing to the baseball society even after his retirement!

Thank you for reminding me how much I miss Ichiro.

My GOAT ❤️

I feel as legendary as he is to this generation, he will be someone we explain to our kids and their friends as “you guys don’t know ICHIRO??” One of those players.. I just feel very blessed to have seen his entire prime when I was a fanatical young ball player.

Ichiro really was something like a superhero to me. He had that mystical thing about him.. In the midst of the steroid era, he said l, “nah, I’m just gonna slap the ball to every part of the baseball diamond 200+ times, throw 95 mph missiles from right field and steal bases like a madman- for a decade STRAIGHT.”

Def first ballot. Always loved this man, watching the farewell clip again just filled my entire body with goosebumps, hair raising shit. Ahh man, and justvthe respect he had for the game. The way he carries himself, Ichiro is 2nd to none, absolute Legend❤

One of the best players ever, period, end of story

We miss and love you Ichiro (from a Seattle Mariners fan

Without a doubt, an all-time great. I was bummed you didn’t include his time on the mound. That was a great moment too.

I watched these games live while at work. It was hard for me to hold back the tears when he did his final good bye, didn't want to sit ther bawling in the office. A beutiful moment.

1st ballot HOF. One of the greats of all time greats from the eye test alone. There will never be another Ichiro.

2 of my favorite things about Ichiro: - he is naturally a right handed hitter, but trained himself to hit lefty so that he could start every at bat closer to first base - early in his career in Japan, a coach criticized his form, his response was “I’m still hitting more than everybody else” An all time baseball legend.

Best contact/average hitter I’ve ever gotten to see play regularly in my life. Such a fun dude to watch and root for and is the definition of a inner circle hall of famer

Ichiro is my favorite player of all time. I love him so so much. It’s always thrilling to when he gets his flowers.

Ichiro the legend, thanks for so many memories u gave to the baseball world

So weird how little people bring him up in the conversations of all time greats. Ichiro put up unbelievable MLB numbers for anyone, no less someone who debuted at 27 years old

I attended the 1st Mariner’s game of the season that year at the Tokyo Dome. It still gives me chills thinking about the atmosphere at that place. So many childhood dreams came true that day!

I didn't know any of this regarding Ichiro's final few MLB seasons. *THANK YOU!!!* for bring this to light through your channel.

If baseball has a soul, then it inhabits Ichiro’s body…the only MLB game I’ve ever been to in person was 03 Seattle at NY…I got to see Clemens pitch to him, and I don’t remember if he got a knock or not but I know Seattle won that game.

Ichiro was not just good, but loved by all Baseball players, goers amd Gods. What a guy!

The only career/retirement that comes close to this level of movie-script aligning is Joe Mauer. Grew up in Minnesota, drafted #1 overall by the hometown team, the only one he would ever play for, and his final action as a player was behind the plate where he started.

I remember hearing a story that Ichiro during pre game batting practice was told by Pinella to hit the ball somewhere else because he kept pulling it or sending it the other way and then he immediately hit like 3 straight home runs the other way to where he was hitting before. He literally just played with MLB pitchers during spring training the whole time bc if he wanted to he could literally hit the baseball wherever he wanted to

Was never an M's fan but damn was I a fan of Ichiro. One of the best all time to ever grace the field. Was always respectful, never taunted on the field, just showed up did his job as well as he could everyday all while getting to play the game he loved for a living. I mean, look at that walk he drew in this video alone. Just placed it down on the line and took his base. I know it's more of a culture thing with Japan (I wish the U.S. were a little more like that tbh), but he was just one of the most humble beings to ever do it. Shed one of them grown man tears when he retired. Phenomenal player and human. Sayonara until 2025 when you're going into the HOF.

I just came across this video so I'm sure this comment won't be viewed by many, but I wanted to add a little more perspective on Ichiro's final game because I was at THAT game. Though there was a lot of speculation that he would retire, the actual announcement wasn't made/leaked until about the 3rd or 4th inning of the 2nd game. The Tokyo Dome didn't have stadium Wi-Fi at the time and the stadium sold out all 55,000 seats so cell reception was horrible. Slowly but surely the news was spreading across the Dome that we were witnessing Ichiro's last game. You see the final sendoff with him saluting the fans, hugging his teammates, etc. all over the place on highlight reels. What you see less of was the "encore." After the game ended, nobody left. We were all on our feet chanting "I-CHI-RO" for 15 minutes straight. Ichiro had not planned on returning to the field. But we kept calling his name. He eventually made his way out of the dugout and did one final lap around the field to greet/thank the fans. It was one of the most beautiful and intimate experiences I had in terms of sporting events. 50,000+ people on a weeknight in March in Japan all giving thanks and saying their individual goodbyes to one man.

When you have a player this special, this legendary, wouldn’t you move heaven and earth to see him get the sendoff he deserved?

Thank you for this fantastic documentary.

Wizard with the bat. Throws... OMG!!

2:57 Scoreboard shows him batting .387 over last 26 games while casually hitting a bomb 🤣

Ichiro might be the best of the short kings in sports! AI and Ichiro let you know it didn’t matter what you looked like or where you’re if you could ball.

I remember the Ichirio hype train ahead of his Seattle debut after watching everyone shortly before he arrived and I remember that summer everyday of it watching him win every game in the most magical season of being a Mariners fan

I've followed the first half of Ichiros career. I'm not much of a baseball fan but the Mariners was my team in the early 2ks but it was not Ichiro. I got interested in them at 2001 with Kazu - the first Japanese to be named AL ROY. Mariners was then considered at the bottom of the league, then Ichiros name came out and i was sold. From then his fame grew. Each time he steps on the plate expect a hit, always. In all things, his presence helped build back the Mariners (although acquisitions didnt make anything better for the team across the decade) into a fanfavorite spectacle. a 1st ballot HOF if you ask me. 10x Gloves, all-time 0.35 BA, AL ROY and AL MVP, Silver Slugger and Batting Leader, an all around OF/RF ...just amazing

I remember his first game - he was so good. Such a unique player. What a fun time to be a native Seattleite. Later, I moved to New York, and ran into him at a Starbucks. Ran into ARod when he was just a pup of 18 years, at a job of mine, where his agent also had office space. He was a punk. Edgar Martinez, I met at another job, didn’t even recognize him, and he was such a gentlemen.

Thanks for making this video. Didn't realize how the stars aligned to close out his career!

I grew up in New England as a die hard Red Sox fan & witnessed the likes of Wiliams, Tiant, Yaz, Lynn, Rice, Fisk, Evans, Boggs, Clemens, et al. Even with all that greatness & having a bias toward my hometown team, Ichiro is still my all-time favorite player. He was absolutely spectacular.

He is the reason why I choose the Mariners as my favorite team

As a kid in Seattle during the 2000s, Ichiro was one of the only redeeming features about the Mariners

I am so grateful to grow up watching him play.

I don't think I ever saw a more skilled ballplayer. First ballot, or close up shop.

I was born during the twilight of ichiros first stint with Seattle and growing up in Seattle going to games here the 2 jerseys I see the most are ken Griffeys 24 and ichrios 51 he is a great player and a great human that’s why I call him ichigoat he deserves to be first ballot no question

Ichiro has one more step left in his MLB journey, going a few thousand miles east from Seattle to Cooperstown in 2025.

Love this legendary player!

I was there that special day in Tokyo to see Ichiro play for the last time. It was a magical moment for all of us fans of the GOAT! ICHIRO rocks!

I remember going to a Mariners game in 2002 up against the Minnesota Twins. The Mariners lost that game I dont remember the score. I was sitting in right field named Area 51 (Ichiro's number), which was formerly known as the Boneyard in reference to Jay Buhner, and there were a lot of Japanese fans in that area. The Japanese girls reacted to Ichiro as if he were a rockstar, whether it was mentioning his name, or making a great play.

I was there for the game the day Ichiro got traded to the Yankees! Can't believe it and I'll always remember. I've only been to like 10 M's games in my entire life Also was lucky enough to be there for his final start as an M in Seattle and got to see him rob a homer in left. 1st inning if I remember correctly

07:15 you see the way he laid his bat down for a walk, you should Google his love for baseball bats, great story!

What a great player and person!

Incredible player and fantastic career.

Ichiro is my fav also great vid!

2:23 McLovin was my first thought with one name people! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 "I am McLovin."

The man was a legend the moment he was born!

Man I shed some tears when I saw Ichiro walk off that field for the last time. Ichiro was one of the few highlights of a bleak Mariners squad i began to watch in the late 2000s to early 2010s. He was fun, a master at his craft, and played his heart out every game. Thats why he'll be beloved by Seattle (and other teams) fan forever. Also F*ck Mike Francesa

I was there 😃 as a Japanese, I was so happy I could go to that game

Having just Ichiro on his jersey was always cool as hell to me. I think he chose to be a contact hitter with placement and could’ve been a slugger if he wanted.

I'm crying. Well done.

Ichiro was larger then life on the ball field

Legend

Great video. Will you guys be covering other Asian MLB players for heritage month?

“How can you not be romantic about baseball?”

Pretty sure the going by one name thing was a promotional gimmick that the Orix BlueWave did that Ichiro hated, but then it worked and he was stuck with it

Closest in recent memory that is similar to storybook ending for an MLB player would be Derek Jeter. A game winning RBI on your final home game after the closer blows the save to force you to bat one last time? It was like a Hollywood script coming to life.

my favorite player, BY FAR.

Helped make the transition from arod and jr that much easier. Thank you ichiro

i think the reason we dont talk about it anymore is that it was a perfect way to go out. its able to be laid to rest and just able to be watched and soaked in.

I truly wish the man could’ve made a World Series appearance

Ichiro is an all time great

my favorite player growing up. Ichiro, Felix, Beltre. too bad the mariners never won back then lol

I'm Venezuelan. I have a plethora of amazing players to pick from. But if you ask me my favorite player ever, that's Ichiro. Hands down.

Carlos Silva couldn't pull his own weight but at least he carried Ichiro. 4:04

It was my privilege to have watched him his prime playing years in a Mariners uniform

Ichiro made the game so fun

I still have my giveaway item from the Padres v. Mariners in 2001 in SD.(Either a Mark Kotsay Jersey or a Trevor Hoffman long sleeve shirt.) Olerud hit a cycle, got to see Ichiro, got drunk. Great fucking night!

3:28 i heard jay Onrait screaming.

Anyone know where you can get that Vogelbach shirt? 7:25

I miss him

If I was that pitcher in his last game when he was going 0-4, I probably underhand tossed him the ball at his last at bat. lmao

my favorite athlete of all time

Love the Mclovin reference….

As a baseball fan, ichiro is a HoFer and a role model to all on how to conduct oneself.

Ichiro's walkoff tour was nice, but as a Cards fan, Pujols coming back and getting to 700 will always be the best final tour for me. Especially, because the last 10 years of his career had been so not Pujols and just for him to come back to STL to play the best he had played since he left the Cards.

You know that 2019 opener was planned for specifically his retirement right? It wasn’t just a random coincidence..

Im a simple man. I see Ichiro I click. He will always hold a special place in my heart.

Glad to hear that during his time as a Marlin he hit a homer in Seattle... against the Mariners of all teams. Will wonders never cease?

Dee Gordon really attracts literal history with his presence huh? Lol

hes the goat