Article: Into the Sunset: Ichiro Against the Twins

[Cody Christie]

One of Major League Baseball’s greats, Ichiro Suzuki, is retiring as a member of the Seattle Mariners to join their front office. Ichiro will be remembered as one of the greatest hitters of all time. After staring his career in Japan, he made one of the greatest debut seasons in baseball history. He went on to win the MVP and the Rookie of the year in 2001 and his career was off to whirlwind start.

 

After 18 seasons, Ichiro is riding off into the sunset. So how did the future Hall of Famer fare when facing the Twins? What were his best games in Minnesota?Ichiro suited up against the Twins in 119 games throughout his career. In those contests, he hit .333/.362/.415 with 10 doubles, eight triples and five home runs. He stole 21 bases and was thrown out nine times. He also posted a 51 to 23 strikeout to walk ratio. Considering that was almost an entire season’s worth of work, he posted quite the impressive numbers.

 

His best season against the Twins was in 2006. He faced the Twins eight times that season and hit .526/.538/.711 with a home run, two triples and two steals. He had three four-hit games against the Twins that season including two in one June series. In that series alone, he went 11-for-16 with a home run and two RBI.

 

The 2013 campaign wasn’t too bad either for the aging star in his first full season as a Yankee. In seven games, he hit .444/.483/.741 with three doubles, a triple and a home run. In a series over the Fourth of July at Target Field, Ichiro went 7-for-15 with two doubles and a triple.

 

Ichiro made his last trip to Target Field for the Twins Home Opener this season. It’s no secret that he struggled this season as he hit .205/.255/.205 in 15 games. However in those two contests at Target Field, he went 3-for-7 (.429 BA) and scored a run.

 

At the Home Opener, I looked down from my outfield seats and took a picture of Ichiro. It was the last time I got to see him in person. He was masterful at the plate and he’s the type of player I will tell my child about when he is old enough.

Thanks for the memories. Enjoy your ride off into the sunset.

What was your favorite Ichiro memory? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[wsnydes]

Always one of my favorites.  One of the few players that I'd stop and watch an AB if I had a game on in the background.  And I'll never forget his laser to 3B to nail Terrance Long going first to third.  I tip my cap, Ichiro.  It was a pleasure watching you play!

[Ebby Calvin Laloosh]

Pure baseball...I'm going to miss watching him play. That throw to get Long at third years ago is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen on a diamond.

[MN_ExPat]

I lived in Seattle (went to UW) during his "rookie" season and had the chance to watch a lot of Seattle games in person and on TV.   Just an absolute machine in the field and at the plate.

 

Probably my favorite Ichiro memories was watching the pitcher (I forget who the Mariners were playing that day) chunk a 57 foot curveball into the dirt in front of the plate and then seeing Ichiro line it into the outfield for a hit on the bounce.

[BobAzar]

What I think I liked best (besides the insane baseball skill) was the fact that he learned Spanish just so he could trash talk the Latino players when he was on base. 

 

I have no idea if this is actually true or not, but I heard a story about a rookie coming into the mariners clubhouse and came over to Ichiro to introduce himself. Ichiro was at his locker getting ready for the game. when the rookie came over, Ichiro looked up, straight faced and said "What the **** do you want?". 

The rookie freaked out, trying to apologize, then Ichiro just smiled and started to laugh, and gave him a warm welcome.

 

He seemed like a really cool guy, and a no-doubt 1st ballot HOFer. Im glad I was able to see him play in person a few times. 

[Doctor Wu]

Sad to hear the news today that Ichiro's playing days have come to end. Well ... there is that "maybe" to the whole announcement. But in any case, I'll miss him. A truly great player and he seemed like a classy guy. One that respected the game and did all the little things --- and the big things --- to stay in shape and remain competitive, even in his 40s. And I think it's really cool that he plans to continue taking batting practice with the team this year. A good reason to get to the park early!

[ashbury]

I have no idea if this is actually true or not, but I heard a story about a rookie coming into the mariners clubhouse and came over to Ichiro to introduce himself. Ichiro was at his locker getting ready for the game. when the rookie came over, Ichiro looked up, straight faced and said "What the **** do you want?". 

The rookie freaked out, trying to apologize, then Ichiro just smiled and started to laugh, and gave him a warm welcome.

If that story isn't true, it should be.