This article was originally published on sodomojo.com as Ichiro Suzuki's blessing leaves 2025 Mariners with no more excuses. In his number retirement speech at T-Mobile Park last Saturday, Ichiro Suzuki left this year's Seattle Mariners team with strong words.

Ichiro Suzuki paused at times to collect his thoughts and placed his hand on his heart as he spoke thoughtfully about what meant to have his No. 51 retired by the Seattle Mariners.

Over a 19-year MLB career, Suzuki was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, two-time AL batting champion, and three-time Silver Slugger. He set the single-season hits record with 262 in 2004, which still stands today. Across NPB and MLB, he amassed 4,367 hits, including 3,089 in MLB.