Ichiro Suzuki

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Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro in his pre-swing pose
Seattle Mariners — No. 51
Right fielder
Born: October 22, 1973 (1973-10-22) (age 35) Nishikasugai, Japan
Bats: Left	Throws: Right
Professional debut
NPB: July 11, 1992 for the Orix BlueWave
MLB: April 2, 2001 for the Seattle Mariners
Selected MLB statistics (through July 1, 2009)
Batting average	.333
Hits	1917
Runs	921
Runs batted in	487
Stolen bases	331
Home Runs	79
Teams
Orix BlueWave (1992-2000) (NPB) Seattle Mariners (2001-present)
Career highlights and awards
9x All-Star selection (2001-2009) 8x Gold Glove Award winner (2001-2008) 2x Silver Slugger Award winner (2001, 2007) 2x Batting Champion (2001, 2004) 2001 AL MVP 2001 AL Rookie of the Year 2007 MLB All-Star Game MVP Single-season major league record with 262 hits

Medal record
Competitor for  Japan
Men’s Baseball
World Baseball Classic
Gold	2006 San Diego	Team
Gold	2009 Los Angeles	Team

Ichiro Suzuki (鈴木 一朗, Suzuki Ichirō^?), often known simply as Ichiro (イチロー, Ichirō^?), (born October 22, 1973, in Kasugai, Nishikasugai, Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Seattle Mariners.

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 the Seattle Mariners and he signed a contract with them. He became the first Japanese-born everyday position player in the major leagues.^[1]

In 2001, Ichiro finished first in both batting average and stolen bases, the first player to accomplish this feat since Jackie Robinson. He set several MLB records in 2004, including a single-season Major League record with 262 hits. He has won a Gold Glove award in each of his first eight years in the majors as an outfielder.

Ichiro is the first MLB player to join Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame (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.

Through the 2008 season, Ichiro has the second-highest career batting average among active players. At .333, he trails only Albert Pujols (.335) of the St. Louis Cardinals.

[edit] Early life

At age seven, Ichiro joined his first baseball team and asked his father, Nobuyuki Suzuki (Suzuki Nobuyuki), to teach him to be a better player. The two began a daily routine which included throwing 50 pitches, fielding 50 infield balls and 50 outfield balls, and hitting 500 pitches, 250 from a pitching machine and 250 from his father.

Ichiro patrolling right field in 2002.

As a little leaguer, Ichiro had the word "concentration" (集中, shūchū^?) written on his glove. By age 12, he had set professional baseball as his goal and, while he apparently shared his father's vision, he no longer enjoyed their training sessions. Nobuyuki claimed, "Baseball was fun for both of us," but Ichiro later said, "It might have been fun for him, but for me it was a lot like Star of the Giants," a popular Japanese manga and anime series about a young boy's difficult road to success as a professional baseball player, with rigorous training demanded by the father. According to Ichiro, "It bordered on hazing and I suffered a lot."

When Ichiro joined his high school baseball team, his father told the coach, "No matter how good Ichiro is, don't ever praise him. We have to make him spiritually strong."^[2] When he was ready to enter high school, Ichiro was selected by a school with a prestigious baseball program, Nagoya's Aikodai Meiden Kōkō, where Ichiro was primarily used as pitcher instead of an outfielder, owing to his exceptionally strong arm. While in high school, his cumulative batting average was .505, and his home run total was 19. Among the drills he partook in were hurling car tires and hitting Wiffle balls with a heavy shovel. These exercises helped develop his wrists and hips, adding power and endurance to his thin frame. However, despite his outstanding numbers in high school, Ichiro was not drafted until the fourth and final round of the professional draft in November 1991, because many teams were put off by his small size of 5' 9 1/2" and 124 pounds. ^[3]

[edit] Career in Japan

Ichiro made his Pacific League debut in 1992 at the age of 18, but he spent most of his first two seasons in the farm system because his then-manager, Shōzō Doi, refused to accept Ichiro's unorthodox swing. The swing, nicknamed 'pendulum' (振り子打法, Furiko Dahō^?) because of the pendulum-like motion of his leg, shifting the weight forward as he swung the bat, was considered to go against conventional hitting theory. Even though he hit a home run off Hideo Nomo, who later won the rookie of the year award in the majors leagues as a Dodger, Ichiro was sent back to the farm system on that very day. In 1994, he benefited from the arrival of a new manager, Akira Ōgi, who played him every day in the second spot of the lineup. He was eventually moved to the leadoff spot for the Blue Wave, where his immediate productivity dissolved any misgivings about his unconventional swing. He set a Japanese single-season record with 210 hits in 130 games for a then-Pacific League record .385 batting average and won the first of a record seven consecutive batting titles. He also hit 13 home runs and had 29 stolen bases, helping him to earn his first of three straight Pacific League MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards.

It was during the 1994 season that he began to use his given name, "Ichiro" instead of his family name, "Suzuki" on the back of his uniform. Suzuki is the second most common family name in Japan, and his manager introduced the idea as a publicity stunt to help create a new image for what had been a relatively weak team, as well as a way to distinguish their rising star. Initially, Ichiro disliked the practice and was embarrassed by it; however, "Ichiro" was a household name by the end of the season and he was flooded with endorsement offers.

In 1995 Ichiro led the Blue Wave to their first Pacific League pennant in 12 years. In addition to his second batting title, he led the league with 80 RBI, hit 25 home runs, and stole 49 bases. By this time, the Japanese press had begun calling him the "Human Batting Machine" (安打製造機, Anda Seizōki^?). The following year, with Ichiro winning his third straight MVP award, the team defeated the Central League champion, Yomiuri Giants, in the Japan Series. Following the 1996 season, playing in an exhibition series against a visiting team of Major League All-Stars kindled Ichiro's desire to travel to the United States to play in the Major Leagues.

In November 1998, Ichiro participated in a seven-game exhibition series between Japanese and American all-stars. Ichiro batted .380 and collected seven stolen bases in the series, winning praise from several of his American counterparts including Sammy Sosa and Jamie Moyer. However, U.S. team manager Mike Hargrove predicted that Ichiro would be no better than "a fourth outfielder on [an American] major league team."^[4]

In 2000, Ichiro was still a year away from being eligible for free agency, but the Blue Wave were no longer among Japan's best teams. They would probably not be able to afford to keep him and would lose him without compensation in another year, and allowed him to negotiate with Major League clubs. Ichiro used the posting system, and the Seattle Mariners won the right to negotiate with him with a bid of around $13 million.^[5] Ichiro signed a three-year, $14 million contract with the Mariners and became the first Japanese position player in the Major Leagues.

In his nine seasons in Japan, Ichiro had 1,278 hits, a .353 career batting average, and in addition to his hitting achievements, won seven Gold Glove Awards.

[edit] Career in Major League Baseball

[edit] 2001 Rookie season

On November 9, 2000, Ichiro was acquired by the Seattle Mariners for a contract worth roughly $14 million. Ichiro's move to the United States was viewed with great interest because he was the first Japanese position player to play regularly for a Major League Baseball team. Up to that point, only pitchers from Japan had been playing in the United States and, in the same way that many Japanese teams had considered the 18-year-old Ichiro too small to draft in 1992, many in the US believed he was too frail to succeed against Major League pitching or endure the longer 162-game season. Ichiro made an auspicious debut his first week in the MLB, and revealed his tremendous throwing arm, by gunning down at third base the Oakland Athletics' Terrence Long, who had tried to advance from first to third after a teammate's base hit to right field. That play would be later remembered as "The Throw".^[6] Ichiro wears the number 51 which he was issued by the Mariners as he had no preference for a number when he joined the club. He was initially hesitant when he was issued the number. To avoid insulting its former owner, Randy Johnson, Ichiro forwarded a personal message to the Big Unit promising not to “bring shame” to the uniform. Not only did he prove he belonged, Ichiro had a remarkable 2001 season, accumulating 242 hits (the most by any player since 1930 as well as a rookie record) and leading the league with a .350 batting average and 56 stolen bases, the latter being the most in the AL since Kenny Lofton's AL rookie record of 66 in 1992.

By mid-season, he had produced hitting streaks of 15 and 23 games, been on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and created a media storm on both sides of the Pacific. 2001 was also an exceptionally successful regular season for the Seattle Mariners as a team, as they matched the 1906 Chicago Cubs' Major League record of 116 wins.^[7] In Seattle, ticket sales (and wins) were higher than ever, fans from Japan were taking $2,000 baseball tours to see the games, more than 150 Japanese reporters and photographers were clamoring for access, and "Ichirolls" were being sold at sushi stands in the ballpark. Flight agencies also benefited from Ichiro, as many Ichiro fans were flying in and out of the country just to see him play.^[8]

Aided by Major League Baseball's decision to allow All-Star voting in Japan, Ichiro was the first rookie to lead all players in voting for the All-Star Game. At season's end, he won the American League Most Valuable Player and the Rookie of the Year awards, becoming only the second player in MLB history (after Fred Lynn) to receive both honors in the same season.

[edit] 2002 and 2003 seasons

Ichiro rounding the bases during a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 22 Sep 2007

Although Ichiro had somewhat of a drop-off from his rookie season, he still produced yet another spectacular season. He finished the year with 208 total hits, making him the first Mariners player ever to hit two consecutive seasons with 200+ hits, let alone being the first two years of their career (He was also the 6th person to start their career off with two 200 hits seasons). Ichiro also established the highest hit total of any major league player in their first two seasons (450) and finished the season among the top five in the league in hits (2nd), batting average (4th), and steals (4th). Ichiro was also elected to his second consecutive All-Star Game in 2002. He led the major league All-Star balloting for the second straight year.

Despite a 93-69 record, the Mariners finished at a disappointing third place and missed the playoffs.

In 2003, Ichiro became just the third player in history to begin their career with three 200+ hits season. He again established himself as one of the league's best players by finishing in the top ten in the league in hits, batting average, steals and runs. Also, Ichiro completed his third straight year of a .300+ batting average, 100+ runs, 200+hits and 30+ steals season, a trend that still continues in his career today. Ichiro again was elected to his third All Star game in 2003, where he was again the vote leader in the majors.

However, the Mariners again fell short of the playoffs, placing 2nd in the AL West.

[edit] Record-setting 2004 season

This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this section if you can. (January 2009)

In 2004, Ichiro had his best season to date, breaking even more hitting records and setting up career-bests in most of his statistics. Perhaps the biggest moment in 2004, however, was when Ichiro broke the record of total hits in a season, previously held by George Sisler.

Ichiro recorded 50 hits in four months of the year, becoming the first player to do so since Pete Rose. Also, he recorded his 2000th hit (US and Japan combined) on May 21st. Ichiro was on a tear throughout most of the season, becoming one of the fastest player to amass 200 hits in a season (He did in 126 games). By September 30th, where the Mariners were at their last homestand and series of the year, Ichiro stood at 256 total hits, two more hits within the league record.

By then the Mariners were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs so the anticipation over Ichiro breaking the record was more popular in the local media than in the national media. The last series of the season was immediately sold out in Seattle.

The stage was set as on October 1st, against the Texas Rangers, Ichiro batted hit #257 in the 1st inning off of Ryan Drese, tying George Sisler's mark and waved his helmet to the cheers of fans at Safeco Field.

In the third inning, on a 3-2 count, Ichiro singled up the middle for his 258th hit of the year, finally breaking Sisler's 84-year old record. Here was Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus' television call of this moment in history:

He was greeted by the swarm of teammates and a standing ovation from the fans. Sisler's daughter, Francis Sisler Drochelman, was in attendance of the game and was greeted by Ichiro after his hit. Ichiro would finish the season and settling the new record 262 total hits in a season.

[edit] 2005 season

Ichiro at bat against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2005

Ichiro connecting for his 5th home run of the 2005 season

• September 30: In 2005, Ichiro collected over 200 hits for the 5th straight season after going 4 for 5 against the Oakland A's. He became the first player ever to collect 200 hits per season over his first five years in the Major Leagues and just the sixth to do so five consecutive times at any point in his career joining Willie Keeler, Wade Boggs, Chuck Klein, Al Simmons, and Charlie Gehringer. He also hit an MLB career-high 15 home runs.

[edit] Inaugural World Baseball Classic

Ichiro played for the Japan national baseball team in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March 2006. During the March 15 Japan-Korea game Ichiro was booed by a few spectators during every at-bat, reportedly in response to a previous statement that he wanted "to beat South Korea so badly, that the South Koreans won't want to play Japan for another 30 years."^[11] That, however, was an incorrect translation mostly spread to the public through ESPN. Ichiro was variously quoted as saying "I want to win in a way that the opponent would think, 'we cannot catch up with Japan for the coming 30 years.'"^{[citation needed]} as well as "I want to beat the teams in the Asia Round so badly they'll never think of beating Japan for the coming 30 years. The fans can expect a lot from us."^{[citation needed]} However, Korea beat Japan twice out of three times. Japan would later beat Korea in the playoffs and win the tournament after defeating Cuba in the finals, 10-6.^[12] Throughout the course of the tournament, Ichiro provided twelve hits, seven runs, four stolen bases, and one home run.

[edit] 2006 season

Ichiro Suzuki at World Baseball Classic, March 2006

In 2006, Ichiro continued his all-star play. After a slow start, which included hitting near the Mendoza Line (a .200 batting average) during the month of April, he rebounded and finished the season hitting .322 (6th in the AL and 11th in the Majors), accumulating 224 hits (leading the Majors), 41 infield hits (leading the majors), 110 runs, and 45 stolen bases (3rd in the AL and 7th in the Majors). Ichiro stole the second most bases of his career (56 in 2001). Ichiro was voted onto the 2006 American League All-Star team by the fans. He started in the outfield for the AL in Pittsburgh, but went 0-3. It was Ichiro's sixth All-Star selection in his six years in the major leagues, and his fifth start (only in 2005 did he not start). He also had two singles in the game in his first two at bats against Mark Redman. These singles helped him extend his own record of most consecutive 200-hit seasons to begin a career to six. He broke Wade Boggs' record of most hits in a six-year period in MLB.^[13] Ichiro also won his sixth straight American League Gold Glove Award, claiming the honor each year since he entered MLB.

[edit] 2007 season

On June 1, 2007, Ichiro hit in his 25th consecutive game, breaking the previous team record set by Joey Cora in 1997. Breaking Tim Raines' 1995 record of 40 consecutive steals, Ichiro stole his 41st consecutive base on May 3. He went on to set a new American League record of 45 consecutive stolen bases without being caught stealing. Because of another excellent start to begin the season, Ichiro was rewarded with another All-Star start by baseball fans.

On July 10, 2007, he became the first player to hit an inside-the-park home run in an MLB All-Star Game after an unpredictable hop off the right field wall of AT&T Park in San Francisco. It was also his first inside-the-park home run in his professional career.^[14] Ichiro was a perfect 3-for-3 in the game and was named the most valuable player in the American League's 5-4 victory.

Early in the season, as Ichiro's contract with the Mariners was expiring, he had told MLB.com that he wouldn't likely sign another contract with Seattle until free agency, citing the team's lack of success in recent years and would instead test the free agent market. However, this was proven false as Ichiro signed a contract extension with the Seattle Mariners for an additional five years, a contract lasting until 2012 on July 13.^[15] The deal is reported to be worth $90 million, consisting of a $17 million annual salary and $5 million signing bonus, although part of Ichiro's annual salary will be deferred with interest.^[16] The Associated Press reported the contract extension Ichiro signed will defer $25 million of the $90 million and the team will not have to fully pay him until at least 2032. The deal will pay Ichiro $12 million salary each year and will defer $5.5 million per season at 5.5 percent. The deferred money will be paid to Ichiro in annual installments, every January 30, beginning the year after he retires. Because of the deferred money, Ichiro's contract will be discounted to $16.1 million. Other provisions in Ichiro's contract include a $32,000 yearly housing allowance that will rise by $1,000 each year and four first-class round trip tickets to Japan each year for his family. He will also be provided with either a new Jeep or Mercedes SUV by the team, as well as a personal trainer and interpreter. On July 29, against the Oakland A's, Ichiro collected his 1,500th major league hit. He is the third fastest to reach this milestone behind Al Simmons and George Sisler.

On September 3, Ichiro hit a home run against New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens to reach 200 hits for the season for the seventh consecutive year. He is only the third player to do so, following Wee Willie Keeler (1894-1901) and Wade Boggs (1983-1989), and the first to do so starting in their rookie season. He is one of only eight players in Major League history to collect 200 hits in seven seasons. He also became only the fifth player in Major League history to collect 215 hits in four seasons (and the first to do so since 1937). In 2007, he again led the majors in infield hits, this time with 44.

[edit] 2008 season

Ichiro before a 2008 game against the Atlanta Braves.

Ichiro got off to a rather slow start in 2008, hitting only .259 in April (30 for 116). However, he got back on track during the mid-point of the season and on September 17, 2008, he recorded his 200th hit against Ron Mahay of the Kansas City Royals. Ichiro has now become the first player ever to start his career with 8 straight 200-hit seasons, and just the second ever to have a streak of 8 consecutive 200-hit seasons at any point in their career, tying the record set by Wee Willie Keeler.

On September 25, 2008, Ichiro singled off of Dustin Moseley of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for his 1800th career hit in game 1,277 of his MLB career. This makes him the fastest player starting his career after 1954 to reach that plateau, beating the previous record held by Wade Boggs of 1,352 games.

On September 26, 2008 in a game against the Oakland Athletics, Ichiro was driven in by Raul Ibanez to record his 100th run of the season, his eighth such season. The run also made the 2008 season Ichiro's eighth consecutive season with 200 hits and 100 runs. He is now tied with Lou Gehrig and Willie Keeler as the player with the most seasons with 200 hits and 100 runs. Ichiro finished the 2008 season with 213 hits, tying him with Dustin Pedroia for the most in the MLB. This is the 5th time Ichiro has led the league in hits.

In a game against the San Diego Padres on May 18, 2008, Ichiro stole two bases, giving him a career total of 292, surpassing the previous team record of 290 set by Julio Cruz, who played second base from 1977 to 1983. Cruz, who now does Spanish-language broadcasts of Mariners games, was watching from the broadcast booth as Ichiro broke his record. As of September 15, 2008, Ichiro has 43 stolen bases on the season, giving him 315 in his MLB career and 514 in his professional career including 199 in Japan. ^[17]

On July 29, Ichiro became the youngest player to have amassed 3,000 career hits (1,278 in Japan + 1,722 in the U.S.) in the highest professional league available to him, breaking Ty Cobb's record of 34 years, 8 months, and 1 day. ^[18]

[edit] 2009 World Baseball Classic

Despite struggling uncharacteristically during most of the tournament, Ichiro provided the game-winning hit in the Championship game against South Korea. With two outs in the top of the tenth inning, he broke a 3-3 tie with a two-run single. This would prove to be the margin of victory in Japan's 5-3 defeat of South Korea. Ichiro ended the night 4-for-6, and is now 6-for-10 in WBC championship games.

[edit] 2009 season

After he returned to the Mariner training camp, he was suffering from fatigue and missed three games. After being examined by a doctor, he was found to have a bleeding ulcer. Seattle Mariners Manager Don Wakamatsu placed Ichiro on the 15-day disabled list. Ichiro was reactivated on April 15, 1 day after the Mariners home opener.^[19] In his first game of the 2009 season, Ichiro went 2-for-5 against the Angels, his final hit of the night being a grand slam for his 3,085th career hit, tying him with Isao Harimoto (who had been flown out to witness the event) who holds the record of most career hits in Japanese baseball league. Ichiro surpassed the record in total number of hits from both Japan and America the following night in his second at bat.

In 2009 he was named # 30 on the Sporting News' list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball. A panel of 100 baseball people, many of them members of the Baseball Hall of Fame and winners of major baseball awards, was polled to arrive at the list.[1]

On June 2, while hosting the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field, Ichiro hit a lead-off single in the bottom of the 1st inning, marking his 26th straight game with a hit. This established a new Mariners franchise record for consecutive games with a hit, as well as a career high streak for Ichiro. On June 5th against the Minnesota Twins, Ichiro went 0 for 4 with a walk, snapping his 27 game hitting streak, the second highest at the time during that season.

In the month of June, Ichiro's 44 hits gives him 20 months with 40 or more hits, the first player to reach that statistic in more than 50 years. The last players to do this were Stan Musial in the NL and Lou Gehrig in the AL.

On July 5th, Ichiro was selected to play in the 2009 MLB All Star Game in St. Louis, marking his 9th consecutive appearance as an all star in as many years. He will be joined by pitcher Felix Hernandez and manager Don Wakamatsu as representitives of the Mariners.

[edit] Career earnings

As of 2008 season

[edit] Personality

Ichiro is noted for his work ethic in arriving early for his team's games, and for his calisthenic stretching exercises to stay limber even during the middle of the game. Continuing the custom he began in Japan, he uses his given name on the back of his uniform instead of his family name, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball to do so since Vida Blue.

In addition to being an eight-time Gold Glove winner, Ichiro is also an eight-time All-Star selection from 2001 to 2008. His success has opened the door for other Japanese players like former Yomiuri Giants slugger Hideki Matsui and former Seibu Lions infielder Kazuo Matsui to enter the Major Leagues. During one 56-game stretch in 2004, Ichiro batted over .450. By comparison, Joe DiMaggio batted .408 during his record-setting 56-game hitting streak. Ichiro batted over .400 against lefties in 2004.

Ichiro's career is followed closely in Japan, with national television news programs covering each of his at bats, and with special tour packages arranged for Japanese fans to visit the United States to view his games. Between 2001 and 2004, Ichiro amassed more hits, 924, than anyone in history over any four-year period, breaking the record of 918 that Bill Terry accumulated between 1929 and 1932.^[20] He would later surpass his own mark by putting up 930 hits from 2004-2007.

Ichiro is also known for a tradition of giving a profanity-laced pregame speech prior to the MLB All-Star game.^[21]

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] Nippon Professional Baseball

[edit] Major League Baseball

Roll over stat abbreviations for definitions. Stats through September 28, 2008.^[22]

[edit] Awards in Japan

• 7-time Best Nine (1994-2000)
• 7-time Gold Glove (1994-2000)
• 3-time MVP (1994-1996)
• 2-time MLA (1994-1995)

[edit] Personal life

The Japanese name "Ichiro" is often written 一郎, meaning "first son". Ichiro's name, however, is written with a different character, 一朗, so that his name roughly means "brightest, most cheerful". He has an elder brother, Kazuyasu Suzuki, who is a fashion designer.

Ichiro married Yumiko Fukushima, a former TV announcer, on December 3, 1999 at a small church in Santa Monica, California. The couple have no children. They have a pet dog (Shiba Inu) named "Ikkyu", a combination of "Ichiro" and "Yumiko". A kanji letter, "yumi" is pronounced "kyu" as well. The couple resides in the same neighborhood as Bill Gates in Medina.

Ichiro is well-known for always wearing high stocking baseball pants and has worn these type for every game since the 2006 season.

Ichiro's walk-up music for the 2008 Major League Baseball season is "The Sweet Escape" by Gwen Stefani along with "Lady Marmalade" performed by Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil Kim, and Mya.

In January 2006, Ichiro played himself in Furuhata Ninzaburō, a Japanese Columbo-like TV drama that he loves. In the drama, he kills a person and is arrested.

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball players with a .325 batting average
• List of Major League Baseball batting champions
• List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions
• List of Major League Baseball players with 300 stolen bases
• List of Major League Baseball hit records

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• Allen, Jim. Ichiro Magic. New York: Kodansha America, 2001. ISBN 4770028717.
• Christopher, Matt, and Glenn Stout. At the Plate With... Ichiro. New York: Little, Brown, 2003. ISBN 0316136794.
• Dougherty, Terri. Ichiro Suzuki. ?: Checkerboard Books, 2003. ISBN 1591974836.

• Johnson, Daniel (2006). Japanese Baseball: A Statistical Handbook. McFarland & Company. ISBN 0786428414. 

• Komatsu, Narumi, and Philip Gabriel. Ichiro on Ichiro: Conversations with Narumi Komatsu. Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 2004. ISBN 1570614318.
• Leigh, David S. Ichiro Suzuki. Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century Books, 2004. ISBN 0822517922.
• Levin, Judith. Ichiro Suzuki. New York: Chelsea House Publications, 2007. ISBN 0791094405.
• Rappoport, Ken. Super Sports Star Ichiro Suzuki. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow Elementary, 2004. ISBN 0766021378.
• Rosenthal, Jim. Ichiro's Art of Playing Baseball: Learn How to Hit, Steal, and Field Like an All-Star. New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 2006. ISBN 0312358318.
• Savage, Jeff. Ichiro Suzuki. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2003. ISBN 0822513447.
• Savage, Jeff. Ichiro Suzuki, revised ed. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2007. ISBN 0822572664.
• Shields, David. "Baseball Is Just Baseball": The Understated Ichiro: An Unauthorized Collection Compiled by David Shields. Seattle: TNI Books, 2001. ISBN 0967870313.
• Stewart, Mark. Ichiro Suzuki: Best in the West. Minneapolis: Millbrook Press, 2002. ISBN 0761326162.
• Whiting, Robert. The Meaning of Ichiro: The New Wave from Japan and the Transformation of Our National Pastime. Warner Books, 2004; retitled for the 2005 paperback to The Samurai Way of Baseball: The New Wave from Japan and the Transformation of Our National Pastime. ISBN 0446531928, ISBN 0446694037.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ichiro Suzuki

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• Nippon Professional Baseball career statistics from Japanesebaseball.com
• "The Case for Ichiro" (for the Hall of Fame), 2004 article from thebaseballpage.com by Jeff Katz.
• "The Ichiro Paradox", S.L. Price, TIME magazine, July 8, 2002
• "Collecting Ichiro" Non-profit site with comprehensive coverage of Ichiro collectibles, especially sports cards.
• "Ichiro Suzuki Fan" A non-profit fan site on Ichiro Suzuki from the Seattle Mariners.