Sayonara

Time catches up with every athlete. It just takes longer with some folks. Thursday, without using the "R" word, Ichiro Suziki said he's "transitioning" to a new role with the Mariners somewhere between coaching, scouting and mentoring.
Baseball's alltime global leader in hits -- and a member of the 3000 hit club here in North America -- Ichiro steps down at age 44 with a .311 lifetime average and 3089 hits.

As a Mariners rookie in 2001, he took the majors leagues by storm, setting an unmatched four-pack: leading the American League in hits and batting average, while earning both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors. In fact, his first decade in Seattle was unprecedented -- hitting over .300 and tallying over 200 hits every year!

Cooperstown will welcome him in 2024 -- unless he decides to play for Seattle in their 2019 season-opening series in Japan, which would delay his eligibilty a year.

Regardless of the specific entry date, Ichiro has strengthened the baseball bond between the U.S. and Japan.

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