Suzuki recorded his first MLB hit in his first big-league game on April 2, 2001, lacing a sharp single up the middle with his signature slap-style swing during his fourth at-bat. He went 2-for-5 in his debut.

Nine days after his debut, Suzuki showed his defensive prowess by sending a perfect strike from right field to nail Oakland Athletics baserunner Terrence Long, who was trying to go first-to-third. The defensive gem became known as "The Throw."

Ichiro won AL MVP, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger Award, and AL Rookie of the Year in his first MLB season. During his debut campaign, Suzuki recorded a league-leading 242 hits, stole 56 bases, and posted an AL-best .350 batting average.

In 2004, Ichiro broke George Sisler's record for most hits in a single season with 262. Sisler's reign lasted 84 years before Suzuki electrified Safeco Field with hit No. 258 on Oct. 1. 

Ichiro astonished fans yet again on May 2, 2005, using his superpowers to scale the right-field wall and rob the Angels' Garret Anderson of a two-run homer.

During his seventh straight All-Star Game in 2007, fans at AT&T Park jumped out of their seats as Ichiro sped around the bases for an inside-the-park home run. It was the first of its kind in MLB All-Star Game history.

Ichiro's two-run single in the top of the 10th inning helped Japan to a gold medal at the World Baseball Classic in 2009. It was Ichiro's second gold medal at the WBC and marked the last time Japan finished higher than third.

Ichiro hit the most memorable of his 117 career home runs on Sept. 18, 2009. With the Mariners trailing the Yankees 2-1 in the ninth inning with a runner aboard and two outs, Suzuki smacked a cutter from Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera into deep right field. The long shot sent Mariners fans into a frenzy as Mo walked off the mound in disbelief.

On Sept. 23, 2010, Ichiro sent his 200th hit of the season into center field against the Toronto Blue Jays. It marked the 10th straight season he reached the 200-hit milestone, tying him with Pete Rose.

The Mariners and Athletics kicked off the 2012 regular season in Japan, marking a homecoming for Ichiro. He returned to play in front of adoring fans at the Tokyo Dome, captivating them with four hits in Game 1 of the two-game set.

Although he may not be officially recognized as the all-time hits king, it can be argued Ichiro is worthy of the title. On June 15, 2016, Suzuki doubled to record the 4,257th hit of his career - if one counts his hits from both Japan and MLB. The total is the most ever by a baseball player, though Pete Rose's 4,256 all came in the majors.

Only 32 players in MLB history have recorded 3,000 hits. Ichiro joined the exclusive club on Aug. 7, 2016 with a triple against the Colorado Rockies. Ichiro received a standing ovation from the crowd as his Miami Marlins teammates swarmed him at third.