As Ichiro scarfed down his meal, he spoke to Colborn in Japanese, telling him, This is really super! Colborn was confused. "Pow, he got him" combined with "pegged him". "I'm here to tell you, Ichiro threw something out of Star Wars down there at third base," Niehaus said. Daves call elevated it to superhuman stature, Seattle Times columnist Larry Stone says. Facing Randy Johnson, another famous former No. This is when America really took notice of Ichiros talent. With a late-season surge that rivaled some of the greatest in baseball history, the Mariners came from three games below .500 and a 13-game deficit in early August to secure a tie for the AL West with the California Angelsleading to a one-game playoff to determine the outright divisional champion.. Mariners fever was already in full bloom among the fans with . Are you kidding me? Importantly, Japanese players could measure themselves against Ichiro, who measured himself against MLB, Colborn says. Next door in the press box, Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus described the throw as being like "something out of Star Wars," a call that was soon attached to the clip on every sports report . He was a legend before Id even seen him, Colborn says. Baseball will forever be my soul, and my mission is to keep helping both players and fans appreciate this special game., Just a few legends hangin' out on #IchiroWeekend. There was an arrogance there, like going to Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower.. I'm not sure he threw that ball at an upward angle. When the Mariners were eliminated, current MLB vice president of international Jim Small couldnt help but notice Ichiros reaction on TV. What anyone who saw that throw that night or the next morning . His defensive acumen and acrobaticshis speed, arm strength, and daring pursuit angles on fly ballsearned him a Gold Glove award in right field. Dave "The Groz" Grosby was honored by the Mariners on Tuesday night by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. If they're not careful he'll take third too. Hes going to beat you., McLaren laughs when thinking about how opponents shifted to account for Ichiros spray chart. With one out and Oaklands Terrence Long at first base, catcher Ramn Hernndez grounded a single to right field. Theyd let me sit in the lower field-level seats behind plexiglass windows with their scouts and their media people. When he returned, it got to the point where the American scouts were like a pest., Using Ichiros and Matsuis success as a blueprint, more Japanese position players began testing their skills overseas, from So Taguchi and Kaz Matsui to Tadahito Iguchi and Kenji Johjima. It is my greatest honor to have played for you as a Seattle Mariner.. But everybody knew it could only be Dave Niehaus. Check out http://m.mlb.com/video for our full archive of videos, and subscribe on YouTube for the best, exclusive MLB content: http://youtube.com/MLB About MLB.com:Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced on January 19, 2000, that the 30 Major League club owners voted unanimously to centralize all of Baseball's internet operations into an independent technology company. Holy crap, I don't think I've seen this online before. It prompted a memorable call by Mariners Hall of Fame announcer Dave Niehaus and was just one of several great moments in a season in which Ichiro was an All-Star and took home both the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. Ichiro played parts of 14 seasons for the Mariners before his dramatic retirement at age 45 in Tokyo three years ago. Happy Felix Day? Carrying all of the responsibilities that came with being the first Japanese-born MLB position player, he never wavered. "The throw by Ichiro, beautiful peg. Ichiro set the single-season record for most hits (262) in a season in 2004, breaking Hall of . It was stuff like that that I could pass on to help convince them, Colborn says of the Seattle execs. Dusty Groove is Chicago's Online Record Store -- Jazz, Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, R&B, Latin, Brazil, African, World Music, Avant, Rock, Blues & more LPs, CDs, vinyl . Aaron Judge led the majors in 2022 in fun points per PA. There was never a point in my career that I could have said that this was going to happen, so Im definitely grateful, Ichiro said Friday, through interpreter Allen Turner, who was his translator when he arrived in 2001. Seriously, who does that? Over the past 20 years, MLB has struggled to market and amplify its best players, until this latest wave of international stars: Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., Ronald Acua, and more. THE MARINERS ARE GOING TO PLAY FOR THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP! Mariano Rivera is widely considered the greatest closer of all-time. Ichiro Suzuki had a .244 BA after an 0-2 count, 20 points higher than any other player in our database (min. 4/11/01: Ichiro Suzuki nails Terrence Long trying to go first-to-third on a single to right field. 2023 Bonneville International. While that ended up not being the case, he gave Mariners fans quite the thrill in his last at-bat of the series, drilling a home run to send the crowd into a frenzy. His name and likeness were everywhere. Suzuki preceded Hideki Matsui, who had a stellar career with the New York Yankees, by two years. A laser beam, barely 10 feet off the ground, reached third baseman David Bell on the fly . We used to kick their butts. And Ichiro catapulted a team that was projected to finish third in its division to 116 wins and an unlikely place in MLB history. After superstar CF Julio Rodrguez, who is the Mariners' most important player heading into 2023? Dave Niehaus, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez, Randy . What started as, What the heck is this guy? , "Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus dies at 75", "2008 Ford C. Frick Award Winner Dave Niehaus | Baseball Hall of Fame", "Loss of a legend: Dave Niehaus, voice of Mariners, dies at 75", "Farewell to Dave Niehaus, a Seattle Legend", "Greatest nicknames of all time - SweetSpot- ESPN", "Mariners Moments in Time - Dave Niehaus, Mariners blog, play by play, MLB Radio, Hall of Fame", "New song about Dave Niehaus by Seattle rapper Macklemore", "Rapper Macklemore's new song pays tribute to Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus | KING5.com Seattle", "Bronze Dave Niehaus statue unveiled at Safeco Field | KING5.com Seattle", Baseball Hall of Fame: Frick Winner Niehaus Makes First Hall Visit, Baseball Hall of Fame: It will fly away! But . David Arnold Niehaus (February 19, 1935 - November 10, 2010) was an American sportscaster.He was the lead play-by-play announcer for the American League's Seattle Mariners from their inaugural season in 1977 until his death after the 2010 season. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, The subreddit for the bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players. Not only does Ichiro have 3,089 MLB hits, he also owns 1,278 from his nine seasons prior in Japan. Mines just as gold as yours, Boone says. Its a charisma that I think has to do with stature and perceived vulnerability.. He is somebody I have tried to mimic, not just hitting but playing-wise, even how he handles the media. Id throw him batting practice, Id hit him fly balls, hed throw the balland if I couldnt make it that day, Id have one of the local scouts in the area do the batting practice for him. During one of Ichiros trips to Seattle, Colborn remembers a boat show taking place inside the Kingdome. The Mariners and Athletics were locked in a scoreless affair until the eighth inning, when Ichiro led off with a pinch-hit single to left field, sparking a three-run rally. New Seattle Mariner player Ichiro Suzuki answers questions from Seattle fans through team scout and translator Hide Sueyoshi while team announcer. . In Japan, practice is more important than necessarily the game, and if you dont get the desired goal, its kind of OK to cry. Well, he fielded it differently when Ichiro hit it. Heaps: Bench Chris Carson? 2023 Bonneville International. and the 0-1 pitch on the way to Edgar Martnez swung on and LINED DOWN THE LEFT FIELD LINE FOR A BASE HIT! If a skinny guy from Japan can compete in this uniform, and then stand before you tonight to accept this honor, then there is no reason you cannot do it either., You cheered loudly for me as a new player that first game 21 years ago -- and you never stopped, Ichiro said, becoming emotional. I both love and confused by it. That Wednesday afternoon has become folkloric, because its the last time Ichiros ability was ever openly questioned. David Arnold Dave Niehaus (February 19, 1935 November 10, 2010) was an American sportscaster. Speaking of Ichiros speed and All-Star Games, his first trip to the midsummer classic had another memorable moment created by his feet. The first Japanese-born position player to make the majors also filled the Mariners celebrity void left by Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr., and Randy Johnson, all of whom had recently departed Seattle. The version on MLB's YouTube channel doesn't have it, and it's too bad. Remember, we won 116 games that year. Former Mariners Alvin Davis, Jay Buhner, and team announcer Dave Niehaus of the Seattle Mariners throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the game on. I'll always remember his grand slam call from the Ken Griffey Jr game on Super Nintendo. Whether he wants to accept the label or not, Suzuki was a trailblazer. The National League, originally founded in 1876, consists of the following teams: Arizona Diamondbacks; Atlanta Braves; Chicago Cubs; Cincinnati Reds; Colorado Rockies; Los Angeles Dodgers; Miami Marlins; Milwaukee Brewers; New York Mets; Philadelphia Phillies; Pittsburgh Pirates; San Diego Padres; San Francisco Giants; St. Louis Cardinals; and Washington Nationals. So I've often said that he was the easiest guy I've ever had to manage because all you had to do was tell him what time the game was and you knew he'd be ready and committed to go.". Watch: Ichiro finds old-time religion with HR-robbing catch. His breakthrough offered a glimpse of the sports past and future, all while distinguishing him as a singularly timeless talent. Every day from 3:30 to 7 p.m., Ichiro would hit soft toss and take fungo drills in a nearby park. [Ichiro] held that bat up like a magic wand, like, What do we got here? Even years later, during pitcher Ervin Santanas debut season with the Angels, Ichiro always found an opening. Ichiro had the April 11 game off against Oakland left-hander Mark Mulder, replaced by Anthony Young, who played all of nine games in his Seattle career. David Arnold Niehaus was an American sportscaster. Niehaus was one of the greats. Fun Players. Ichiro took this to a whole new level with this quote when asked what he will do once he is done playing baseball: There were a few moments where a rookie Ichiro's growing stardom expanded past the reaches of the Pacific Northwest. By the end of the regular season, he led the league in batting average (.350), hits (242), and stolen bases (56), becoming just the second player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. In August 2002, MLB.com streamed the first-ever live, full length MLB game when the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees faced off at Yankee Stadium. George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns had 257 hits for the St. Louis Browns in 1920, setting a . Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Likewise, the fans invited Dave into their homes as he brought to life on the radio the heroics of such Mariners legends as Alvin Davis, Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, Randy Johnson, Ichiro, Felix Hernandez and the list goes on and on.. Dave was the voice of spring and summer in the Northwest . And nobody has seen one since. When I returned in 2018, it was as if I never left. But when he met Ichiro in 2009, it was the Mariners legend who provided the classic moment. About an hour later, Ichiro led off the game by hitting Browns fourth pitch 400 feet and depositing it into the right-field bleachers. Ichiro used an interpreter with the media, limiting potential discrepancies caused by the language barrier, but often surprised coaches, teammates, and opponents by starting conversations in English and talking smack. That ball could have gone through David Bell another 10 to 15 feet. Utter disbelief. Not only was Ichiro an incredible hitter, he had elite speed on his side, as well. MLB.com features a stable of club beat reporters and award-winning national columnists, the largest contingent of baseball reporters under one roof, who deliver over 100 original articles every day. These Japanese athletes had taken the Japanese sports inferiority complexthe sense that the Japanese are not physically or experientially ready for world competitionand proved it wrong. Masijuma added, I believe that these athletes are not just about athletic talent. All rights reserved. But hes never wanted to be an imposing figure. SEATTLE King's Court will be back in session this summer. I just wanted Ichiro to do reasonably well and succeed, he says. So when fellow Mariner great Ken Griffey Jr. had to chase down Ichiros hit off the wall in right field during the 2007 All-Star Game in San Francisco, there was pretty much no chance of keeping him from scoring on the play. Do you know who had the second highest? He became an All-Star in his first season and played for two other teams before leaving MLB in 2012. Game after game, the Mariners skipper had watched Ichiro Suzuki slap and bloop and pepper fastballs everywhere between left field and the third-base dugout. Mr. Niehaus was more than just an announcer, he was family to the Mariners players and management. He broke records, rebranded the Mariners into must-see TV, and proved that international players could not only succeed in MLB, but also become the face of the entire sport. Because we only got to see him in the postseason once, many of Ichiro's greatest moments came in the regular season. It took 125 years for Major League Baseball to get its . Hes a thin, frail-looking guy. 51) Ichiro will first be eligible for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 2025. And the qualities that endear those players to fans resemble what resonated about Ichiro in 2001. He made The Throw, "something out of Star Wars," as Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus exclaimed. Walk-off homers were a rarity off the Yankees legend. He was just pissed., Small also reiterates how Ichiros rookie year had much bigger implications than just a championship. I could never imagine my career in America would last 19 seasons and that I would still be in Seattle today.","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"ExternalEmbed","data":{"__typename":"ExternalEmbedContent","html":", What is your favorite Ichiro moment? This might actually be the greatest catch of all-time. Ichiro announced his retirement Thursday in Tokyo after a 5-4 Mariners win over the As (the same result as his first game as a member of the Mariners), not far removed from a rousing ovation as manager Scott Servais took him out of his final game for a defensive replacement. Over the first half of his rookie season, Ichiro changed more than just defensive alignments around the league. It is one of the best memories of my career, and I will never forget that feeling. ?Chuck Armstrong, Seattle Mariners president and COO, added, "Speaking for ourselves, our . Not bad for the first position player to ever make the move from Japan to the majors. "I recorded [the 2001 All-Star Game] on VHS and watched it at least six or seven times as a kid, so Ichiro leading off by beating Randy to the bag stands out to me a lot," Ty said. Who cares if your glove is clean? 51 for the Mariners, in front of a home crowd at Safeco Field, Ichiro beat Johnson to first base on an infield single to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Most ballplayers, theyd wear polo shirts and golf pants, but hed have baggy jeans and a cap on backwards. Reflecting on his overall legacy, which will likely include an enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame when hes first eligible in 2025, Ichiro spoke with closure. He has been the Mariners' voice for their entirety, from Diego Segui's first pitch in the franchise's inaugural game in 1977 to Ichiro's fly out to end the . The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Shift him all you want, Boone says. I think Ichiro and Matsui broke the ice, and from the Japanese players point of view, they wanted to come over here too, and prove they could play in the highest league in the world, Hendry says. Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus passed away on Wednesday in his Bellevue, Wash., home at the age of 75. In 2001, Ichiro Suzuki made his MLB debut for the Seattle Mariners. buhners is great too. Off Ichiro. Check out http://m.mlb.com/video for our full archive of v. The manager gave me a big wet kiss. Suzuki was unlike anything the majors had seen when he left Japan for Seattle, and he's become one of the most important figures in baseball history and not just because of his 3,089 hits, 10 Gold Gloves, numerous All-Star Games, single-season hit record and MVP award. same result as his first game as a member of the Mariners, Groz Remembers: Ichiros Star Wars throw in 2001. He took 150 swings and never stepped out of the batters box, never said I need to get a blow, I need to get my breath, Im tired, Gillick says. One by one, Ichiro shared a message with each, blending in his trademark quick-wit humor with heartfelt respect. Among fans nationwide and his peers, Niehaus was . ROOT Sports analyst Mike Blowers talked to Bob, Groz and Tom about Lewis and what makes him stand out. The Mariners players and coaches were blown away, as reflected in the game story in the Seattle Times written by Bob Finnegan. The countrys media had taken over Peoria every day during the spring, and its presence grew as Ichiro continued his success in Seattle. Within a couple of years, however, the teams leadership had come to embrace Ichiros unorthodox style. He was the lead play-by-play announcer for the American League's Seattle Mariners from their inaugural season in 1977 until his death in 2010. Like theyd done in California, Colborn threw Ichiro batting practice beneath the closed roof, giving the dozen or so coaches and executives in attendance a front-row seat to observe his talent. Twenty years later, Ichiros rookie season remains an inflection point, the beginning of a legacy thats opened the door for other Japanese position players to thrive in MLB. "When I met Ichiro in Peoria, (Arizona) which is the first time I'd met him face to face, he walked in and had more presence than any other baseball player I'd ever encountered," Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto said. Niehaus honored with 2008 Frick, Seattle's soothing baseball voice headed to Cooperstown, Audio: Niehaus announcing during 1996 earthquake. It read, "Dave Niehaus, 1935-2010." His empty chair and headpones sat in the broadcast booth . Not only are they standing shoulder to shoulder with their overseas peers, in some cases they are leading the way., Hideki Matsui followed Ichiro to the majors in 2003, crossing the Pacific and signing with the Yankees. The Japanese approach to hitting is such a cookie-cutter approachthey all hit the same, Whiting says. It was great for Seattle, but it was really great for baseball, former MLB commissioner Bud Selig says of Ichiros debut. Watch a special tribute to 710 ESPN Seattle's The Groz featuring messages from members of the Seattle sports media to commemorate his 29 years as a daily host in the market. I wasn't ready for 116 kisses from the manager.\n\nHe also thanked Mariners ownership for the opportunity to contribute as a special advisor in his post-playing days.\n\nMost days, I still wear the Mariners uniform, and I do so proudly, Ichiro said. Ichiro was a big part of that.. Julio Rodrguez had a brief moment that caused concern when he crashed into the wall in center field on Monday's Mariners spring trainng game. I mean, they had the left fielder on the left-field line, they had the third baseman almost shaking hands with him, they had the infield halfway in, had the second baseman pulled sometimesyou saw every defense that you could see, he says. With 'beautiful peg' meaning great throw and he got him meaning well, he got him. More >. Im anonymous here.. Terrance Long was over halfway from second to third when Ichiro picked up that ball. Enfranchised in 1977, the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League.Safeco Field, now T-Mobile Park has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July 1999.From their 1977 inception until June 1999, the club's home park was the Kingdome. I was shocked. I think Aaron Goldsmith could join them if he sticks around long enough. He was a goddamn special player to watch in his prime, and he was one of the few bright spots when the Mariners churned out forgettable team after . I want to continue to do that and be able to continue to work and see what I can do. That unconventional homer helped him become the second Mariners player to win the All-Star Game MVP award, following in the footsteps of Griffey. THE THROW TO THE PLATE WILL BE . "If this team is going to go to the playoffs, they have to have Chris Carson running the football.". I'm not sure he threw that ball at an upward angle. Probably heat of moment combining of phrases. After his 2001 debut, it seemed like it would be only a matter of time until he became the new single-season hit king. Everything was just precise. On road trips, Ichiro distinguished himself by carrying his bat in a violin-case humidor and stowing it in the overhead compartment instead of the planes belly; on the field, he always made sure his glove was unharmed. In the bottom of the inning, Aaron Sele was inching closer to a shutout when Oakland center fielder Terrence Long led off with a single. Ichiro Suzuki Baseball player. At 45 years old, Ichiro could still chuck it. Thank you for posting! 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Related: Groz Remembers: Ichiro's 'Star Wars' throw in 2001 2. As the longtime Mariners radio voice Rick Rizzs remembers it, the newly signed phenom kept lining shots over Lous head in the folding chair. Despite Ichiro often firing his hips and hitting scorchers to the right side in Japan, the outfielder had yet to drive anything there that spring, and looked outmatched against MLB pitching. Then Ichiro unleashed what would be dubbed The Throw, a laser beam that met David Bells glove knee-high and allowed the third baseman to gently apply a tag for the out. SEATTLE -- It began like an outdoor concert for an iconic rock star, and in many ways, Ichiro Suzuki carries that reputation in these parts. It was the thing to do, Whiting says. Yet after narrowly escaping Cleveland in the ALDS, their season ended in the Bronx for the second straight year, with a loss to the Yankees in five games. Its only fitting that two decades after Ichiro exploded onto the scene, Shohei Ohtani is having his own supernova MLB season. Hed come in the clubhouse [and] he did the same thing right in a row, McLaren says. From Diego Segui's first pitch on April 6, 1977, through the end of the 2010 season, Niehaus called 5,284 of the Mariners' 5,385 games. David Arnold Niehaus (February 19, 1935 - November 10, 2010) was an American sportscaster. Ichiro Suzuki established himself as a top fielder immediately upon joining the Seattle Mariners in 2001. Whos most important on the Mariners besides Julio Rodrguez? Ichiro would come up to bat and Mr. Niehaus could tell you the funniest story about him. With Ichiros playing career having come to a close, lets look at the most memorable moments provided by an all-time great. That is when fans started to pay attention to Ichiro., Pretty soon, everyone was paying attention to Ichiro. MLBlogs: Beats the throw. If a player comes to me, we'll talk about it and I'll be able to tell him what I think.. Bell says the roster was full of professional, consistent players, but adds, I wouldnt say there were guys that were superstar players or elite, unbelievable athletes. Ichiro was the exception. By that time, it didnt look like this was this giant gamble., Over the next decade, as Ichiro extended his career in New York and Miami, the level of Japanese baseball continued to rise. David Niehaus had no idea who Janis Joplin was when they first met in Brazil. that is the most lazer-like throw i've ever seen. The tourist industry experienced this huge boom because people would fly there and stay in a hotel and take in two or three Mariners games and then come back. So that was a challenge. As the teams time in Peoria, Arizona, wound down, Piniella wanted proof that his potential leadoff hitter could pull the baseball. I think Japans athletes can inspire such hope in the Japanese people, Masujima wrote. They show that replay of it all the time because it was such a great tag, Bell says jokingly. Debut season with the new single-season hit King changed more than just defensive around! 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A cookie-cutter approachthey all hit the same thing right in a row, McLaren when! First be eligible for induction into the right-field bleachers Ichiros reaction on.! This summer started to pay attention to Ichiro., Pretty soon, everyone was paying attention to Ichiro or,... Spoke to Colborn in Japanese, telling him, this is really!... Tell you the funniest story about him USA today, a division of Gannett Satellite Information,... Seattle 's soothing baseball voice headed to Cooperstown, Audio: Niehaus announcing during 1996 earthquake made. Great tag, Bell says jokingly was Ichiro an incredible hitter, he fielded it differently when hit... Such hope in the postseason once, many of Ichiro 's greatest moments came in the postseason once, of. Manager gave me a big wet kiss Tuesday night by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch actually! 'M here to tell you the funniest story about him the best memories of my career, and I never! 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