Return of the Ichiro Impersonator

He made an appearance over the weekend at Yankee Stadium, albeit in road grays — video.

While we’re at it, here he is earlier in the year, on some Japanese TV show…

I think this is the same guy, running in the Tokyo Marathon in February — pic found here…

Video of him going through the motions in some random location, back when Ichiro was still a Mariner…

Taking a coffee break, found here…

This next picture was posted on the Mariner fan blog Lookout Landing in 2008 — it looks like the same guy, but I’m not totally certain…

Then there’s this guy…

See all eight Ichiro impersonator posts thus far here.

New Ichiro Impersonator Videos

This is the guy I met in 2011, who days later got in trouble at Safeco Field. The above clip was shot at a Japanese shopping mall, where “Ichiro” had his own emcee. For those who don’t wanna sit through its nearly nine-minute length, some key moments…

0:09 – Ichiro makes his grand entrance on the down escalator.

3:35 – Ichiro pantomimes a hit in slow motion.

5:03 – Ichiro steals a base by running around the atrium.

5:25 – Ichiro pounds a Yunker.

7:50 – Ichiro makes his grand exit on the up escalator, perhaps on his way to Orange Julius.

Here’s a newer clip from some Japanese TV show, in which Ichiro has updated his act with a Yankee uniform and a Kirin…

Finally, a Mariners-era clip at a Matsumoto Yamaga soccer game — look for the uniform surprise at 2:57…

Ichiro Impersonator Update #3

Wasn’t long after the big trade that photos of the Ichiro impersonator in pinstripes started appearing online (link)… Back when he dressed as a Mariner, someone snapped a photo of him taking a whiz at the Tokyo Dome (link)…

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.

A Very Ichiro Halloween

Found on the Mariners web site is this Ichiro jack o’ lantern stencil, above… Below, our friend the Ichiro impersonator (who apparently dresses up every day like it’s Halloween) has appeared again, this time on a Japanese game show…

My pals Ken and Chinatsu recorded this Gong Show-like program for me, in which contestants imitate Japanese celebrities. However, instead of getting “gonged” offstage by the judges (who for some reason are dressed like mad scientists), a trap door suddenly opens beneath the contestants, and they drop out of sight! “Ichiro” appeared in a few different bits in various Mariner jerseys, acting out at-bats, playing catch in the field, and leading off first base. He was pretty good, but was “trap-doored” each time. Needless to say, he didn’t take home any prizes.

Finally, there’s this guy, whose ’09 Halloween costume was Ichiro…

Ichiro Impersonator Update #2

My pals Ken George and Chinatsu (whose work is featured in Ichiro Art #10) sent me this link to a Japanese site with a bunch of photos and videos of the infamous Ichiro impersonator. Yesterday I learned his name is Kenta Imamura. Today, with Chinatsu’s translation, I learned that Kenta is a 32-year-old actor and performer, nicknamed “Nicchiro,” who’s been doing his Ichiro routine since 2009. He’s supposedly the same height as Ichiro (5’8″), but when I stood next to him last week, he sure seemed taller than that.

Not to nit-pick, but I can’t help but notice he’s using tan leather glove (as seen on the ground in the top photo), while the real Ichiro’s is black. Instead of wearing his pants with high cuffs that expose his socks, the bottom of his pant legs are simply crammed into his socks. And though he’s wearing Ichiro’s brand of shoes, it looks like he’s going for a jog along the waterfront. In some photos his lid looks like it needs cap surgery, and what’s with the plastic bat?

But the resemblance is still remarkable (especially the facial hair and mannerisms), and the prop Yunker energy drink is a nice touch…

Many more videos here.

Ichiro Impersonator Update

Weird moment tonight, when the Ichiro impersonator I met at Friday’s game got in trouble for interfering with a live ball. In the bottom of the third, Dustin Ackley shot a grounder just inside first base, and it made its way to the stands in foul territory. As Ackley was rounding second, fake Ichiro leaned out onto the warning track and snagged the ball…

The guy in the sling seemed to tell the Ichiro lookalike that he goofed up, while some fans booed…

Realizing his mistake and feeling like a jerk…

Pleading his case…

And escorted away (were the cop and the Alcohol Enforcement guys really necessary?)…

Fortunately for Ackley, instead of a ground-rule double, the hit was ruled a triple. And, fortunately for “Ichiro,” he was allowed to stay at the game.

Article and video here.