The same day Ichiro Suzuki learned he had been elected to the Baseball Hall of FameThe Seattle Mariners announced they would retire his number 51 during the upcoming season:
Ichiro’s number will be officially honored during a ceremony preceding the Mariners’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, August 9 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. His number 51 will be the fourth number retired by the franchise, as it joins Ken Griffey’s number 24, Edgar Martinez’s number 11 and Jackie Robinson’s number 42, which has been retired in Major League Baseball.
Mariners owner John Stanton released the following statement through the team:
“For nearly a quarter of a century, Ichiro has been an integral part of the Seattle Mariners organization. And today’s announcement will ensure his number will be proudly displayed forever in T-Mobile Park as he rightfully joins Ken and Edgar as Mariners in the Hall of Fame.
“Ichiro was a pioneer when he arrived in 2001 and ushered in a new era for international players with his impact. He demonstrated daily his love of the game, as well as the skill, passion and preparation that only the greats demonstrated during his playing career And Ichiro has continued to play an important role, on and off the pitch, within our club since his retirement five years ago.
“He deserves the highest honor the Mariners franchise can bestow.”
Ichiro, 51, originally signed with the Mariners of Japan in late 2000. He won the American League MVP award with Seattle as a rookie and spent 14 of his 19 MLB seasons with the Mariners. With Seattle, Ichiro posted a 56.4 WAR, earned 10 consecutive All-Star selections, and also won 1o consecutive Gold Glove awards. Of his 3,089 career MLB hits, 2,542 came with the Mariners.
