Ichiro Suzuki nearing a return with Seattle Mariners, where it all began

Ichiro Suzuki could return to the Seattle Mariners, ending his career where it began…

Ichiro Suzuki is one of the most exceptional talents not only of our generation but in all of MLB history. After playing his first nine professional seasons in Japan, Ichiro became a worldwide sensation, when brought his talents to the United States of America in 2001. He began his career with the Seattle Mariners, playing ten-plus seasons in the sleepless city of Seattle — with his very first season one for the record books.

He won the AL Rookie of the Year and MVP award and was apart of a record-breaking 116 wins with the elite Mariners team.

Now, after nearly a five-season absence from his MLB beginnings, Ichiro Suzuki is likely returning to where it all started, with 2018 MLB free agency rumors rumbling that he is close to a deal with his former team — which the Mariners still have yet to confirm.

Why would the Seattle Mariners bring in a player who is apparently in the twilight of his career? A team who could use that roster spot instead to add a critical piece — one with postseason aspirations. First off, even though Ichiro is no spring chicken at the age of 44, he is still (somewhat) productive. He no longer is capable of stealing 30-plus bases or racking up over 200 his in an MLB season, but he is a formidable DH/outfield reserve.

Plus, the presence of Ichiro and his leadership abilities will no doubt have a tremendous impact on the team. He’s also a fun-loving, relaxed dude, just take his antics with Joey Votto for example.

Some of you might be too young to remember Ichiro in his prime, but he was a treat to watch. During my Air Force days, while doing training in Baltimore, I had the opportunity to watch Ichiro play in Camden Yards. I bought a cheap five dollar scalped ticket an inning into the game and found myself into the right field bleachers.

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My mind is fuzzy on who the hitter was; I believe it was Brian Roberts, smashed a ball into the rightfield corner — rolling right below where we were standing. Ichiro calmy picks up the rock and fires a perfect strike from the outfield wall to Adriane Beltre at third, gunning down Roberts'(?) efforts for a triple. The ball did not even hit the ground, and Ichiro fired a perfect strike with relative ease.

The MLB resume of Ichiro Suzuki makes him a surefire, first-ballot Hall of Fame hopeful.

• American League record 116 wins with the 2001 Seattle Mariners, tied with the 1906 Cubs for most in an entire MLB season.
• 3,080 career MLB hits — 4,358 adding his hit total from Japan
• 262 hits in a single MLB season (MLB record)
• Ten-consecutive 200-hit seasons
• Most hits by a foreign-born MLB player
• 509 career stolen bases
• Scored over 100 runs in 11 separate MLB seasons.
• 10-time American League All-Star (2001–2010)
• American League MVP (2001)
• American League Rookie of the Year (2001)
• 10-time Gold Glove Award (2001–2010)
• 3-time Silver Slugger Award (2001, 2007, 2009)
• 2-time American league batting champion (2001, 2004)

Stats aside, Ichiro’s hustle, speed, attitude, and personality are ones you won’t ever see on his stat sheet. Some MLB players have that swagger, or “it factor” and Ichiro has it in spades.

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Ichiro Suzuki is unlikely to tap into the fountain of youth with the 2018 Seattle Mariners if these reports are accurate, but the Mariners are doing the right thing bringing back Ichiro to finish up his storied career. Who knows, he could finally obtain that World series ring he’s missing — where it all started.