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I’m Steve Mandich. I was born in Seattle, I live in Seattle, and the Seattle Mariners are my all-time favorite baseball team. And, ever since his 2001 Major League debut with the Mariners, Ichiro Suzuki has been my all-time favorite baseball player (even after his 2012 trade to the Yankees). This blog has tracked Ichiro’s game-by-game progress since 2011, along with plenty of fun sidelights... Disclaimer: this blog is a labor of love, and is not affiliated with Ichiro Suzuki, the New York Yankees, or Major League Baseball... As of the 2013 season, all times listed are local New York time.Blogroll
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Monthly Archives: March 2012
Game 2: 0-for-4 in 4-1 Loss at Oakland (in Tokyo)
Runs: 0
Hits, Game/Season: 0/4
Runs Batted In: 0
Walks: 0
Strikeouts: 1
Left on Base: 0
Average: .444
Box
Notes: Not-so-killer game last night/this morning/tonight/whatever… Groundout, called strikeout, flyout, groundout… I’ve been hearing about how he’s been exaggerating his at-bat mannerisms in these Tokyo games, with the stretching and bat-pointing and whatnot (see above) — not sure if that’s part of his new approach at the plate, or just to delight the Japanese crowds.
Next: Five more Cactus League games, then the regular season resumes with Game 3 at Oakland, 7:05 p.m. on Friday April 6.
Game 1: 4-for-5 in 3-1 Win at Oakland (in Tokyo)
At Bats: 5
Runs: 0
Hits, Game/Season: 4/4
Runs Batted In: 1
Walks: 0
Strikeouts: 0
Left on Base: 0
Average: .800
Box
Notes: Killer game last night/this morning/tonight/whatever… Playing for the first time as a major leaguer before his enthusiastic countrymen, Ichiro singled in his first three plate appearances of the year, and in the 11th inning, drove in a run with his fourth hit of the game/season… Addressing the Tokyo crowd’s reception of the M’s and A’s, Ichiro said later, “Seeing how they welcomed the players, they were very warm-hearted. That makes you cry”… Geoff Baker sums it up nicely.
Next: Game 2 at Oakland (actually still in Tokyo), 2:10 a.m. Thursday.
By the way, nice work by the Mighty Flynn, who posted the above screen grab in wee hours over at It’s a Long Season.
Monday in Tokyo
The M’s got skunked for the second time in as many games against NPB teams, this time a 9-3 loss to the legendary Yomiuri Giants. Ichiro went hitless, though he did drive in a third-inning run while grounding out (above).
Otherwise, Ichiro’s return to Japan is causing a sensation — here’s an MLB.com article, including a video interview with Amy Franz of Ichi-Meter fame…
In case you were wondering, that’s a Boeing patch on his sleeve, and a Gloops decal on his helmet, both only to be worn during the M’s games in Japan (at least I hope). Looks like they also have an Opening Series commemorative patch on the side of their caps…
More obvious is the giant Tokyo Dome ad of Ichiro pitching Kirin. That photo is actually from Sunday’s game, along with this one — I love seeing uniforms from two totally different leagues competing on the same field…
After tomorrow’s day off, the M’s open the 2012 season versus Oakland at 3:10 a.m. Wednesday.
The Ichiro Impersonator Returns
Geoff Baker has video of Ichiro’s doppelganger crashing an autograph session with Mariners Michael Saunders and Munenori Kawasaki. Watch here and here.
Ichiro 2012 M’s Pocket Schedule
It’s the latest addition to my Mariners schedules flickr set.
Sunday in Tokyo
Which was actually Saturday in Seattle… Ichiro went 1-for-4 in a 5-1 exhibition loss to Japan’s Hanshin Tigers. Batting in his new number-three spot, Ichiro stroked a first-inning single (above), much to the delight of the near-capacity Tokyo Dome crowd.
The M’s play the Yomiuri Giants at 7:06 p.m. local time on Monday — that’ll be 3:06 a.m. in Seattle.
UPDATE: Here’s another cool photo…
Two Saturdays Ago in Peoria
Ichiro’s concentration skills are legend… Reminds me of this.
Ichiro, Mariners Arrive in Japan
Here’s a paparazzi-style pic of Ichiro arriving at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport earlier today — nice specs.A Visit to the Ichiro Exhibition Room
To coincide with the Mariners’ arrival in Japan today, the Seattle Times ran an awesome front-page story by ace M’s beat reporter/blogger Geoff Baker about his visit to the Ichiro Exhibition Room.
Man, I’ve always wanted to go to Japan, and this would’ve been the perfect time: the M’s play exhibition games against the Hanshin Tigers on Saturday and the Yomiuri Giants on Monday, then they open the season with a pair against Oakland on Wednesday and Thursday. I just didn’t get my act together on this one. Damn.
Ichiro Pitches for Orix
Last September, Ichiro signed with Orix — not to play baseball, as he did for the Orix BlueWave from 1992 to 2000 — but to endorse their financial services.
Link.
New Ichiro Commercial
The latest batch of wacky Mariners commercials, filmed annually during spring training, were released today. In the one above, Ichiro demonstrates his weak yet somehow recognizable Sean Connery impersonation. And here he is in the blooper reel…
Friday in Peoria
Went 0-for-2 in 8-5 loss vs. Arizona — box… So far he’s 3-for-9 in four Cactus League games… Photo by Jon Wells, editor of The Grand Salami.
Tuesday in Peoria
Box.
Went 3-for-3 with a run and a couple RBIs.
Fake Ichiro Baseball Card #6
As seen on MLB.com’s 2012 Mariners fantasy player rankings page, this “card” is based on the 1986 Topps design — one of my favorites.
Saturday in Peoria
What’s Going On Here?
Your guess is as good as mine. Found on Tumblr.