Mariners retiring Ichiro's No. 51 following Hall of Fame election
The Seattle Mariners will retire Ichiro Suzuki's No. 51 during "Ichiro Hall of Fame Weekend" on Aug. 8-10, the team announced.
Seattle will retire Suzuki's number during a pregame ceremony at T-Mobile Park on Aug. 9. He'll join Ken Griffey Jr. (No. 24) and Edgar Martinez (No. 11) as the only Mariners players to have their numbers retired.
"For nearly a quarter of a century, Ichiro has been an integral part of the Seattle Mariners organization," Mariners chairman John Stanton said.
"Today's announcement will assure that his number will be proudly displayed in T-Mobile Park forever as he aptly joins Ken and Edgar as Mariners in the Hall of Fame."
Suzuki spent 14 seasons in Seattle, slashing .321/.365/.416 and recording 2,542 of his 3,089 MLB hits with the Mariners.
"Ichiro was a trailblazer when he arrived in 2001 and ushered in a new era for international players with his impact, and he demonstrated daily his love of the game and the skill, passion, and preparation that only the truly great have over his playing career," Stanton said. "And Ichiro has continued to have an impactful role, both on and off the field, with our club since his retirement five years ago.
"He is most deserving of the ultimate honor the Mariners franchise can bestow."
Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner were elected into the Hall of Fame on Tuesday.