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Mariners can't wait to see reaction for Ichiro in Japan
TIM BOOTH (AP Sports Writer)
The Associated PressMar 6, 2019, 10:56 PM
FILE - In this Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 file photo, Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki bats during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Peoria, Ariz. Jerry Dipoto's first introduction to the world of Ichiro Suzuki was only a small taste compared to what the Seattle Mariners are about to experience when they open the season in Tokyo with a pair of games against the Oakland Athletics. The most decorated player ever to export his talents from Japan to the major leagues is returning home for what could be a farewell to his Hall of Fame career on both sides of the Pacific. His teammates can't wait. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Suzuki's one request for the hoopla that surrounded his return to the Mariners was the news conference and ensuing activities be kept, in his words, ''casual.''
''The entourage arrived, and it looked like the CIA arrival for the president. It was dark windows, suburbans, and Ichiro rolled out and he walked into my office in what I can only describe as something off the runways type of suit,'' Dipoto, the team's general manager, recalled. ''It was like a $5,000 suit that looked as crisp and clean as you can imagine. Impeccable knot in his tie with the dark sunglasses. My first reaction to him was not to shake his hand and introduce myself or the like, I slapped him in the chest and said, 'I thought we were going casual?' He said to me, and this was my intro to Ichiro, he said to me, 'To me, this is casual.'''
It will be nearly a week of celebration and hype surrounding Ichiro. And his teammates are perhaps more excited, more eager than the star himself to see how massive the reception will be.
There is no question Suzuki will be on Seattle's roster for the two games March 20-21 in Japan. He signed a minor league deal before the season, but with the intention of being on the expanded major league roster against the A's. After Japan, there have been no promises about what, if any, role Suzuki will have with the team.
This may have only heightened the anticipation for seeing what happens in Japan knowing this could be the career finale for the 45-year-old outfielder.
''It's much-needed for him. Not just being in Japan but being in your home country as who he is, and who he is respected as, he deserves it,'' Gordon said. ''I want to see him happy. I want to see how happy it makes him. I know he's going to be all professional but I actually want to see if we can get a reaction out of him. Some type of emotion.''
His future beyond these two games in Japan is cloudy. Suzuki could decide this is it, saying goodbye in front of his countrymen. He could return to Seattle and try to earn a spot on the Mariners roster. He could move into a hybrid role like the one he had last year when he started the season on the active roster due to injuries and eventually shifted into an advisory position.
While he wouldn't comment about Suzuki's future, Dipoto did give a glimpse of the scenario he would love to see come to fruition.
''He's in the lineup on opening day, and that as the flashbulbs go off, and he's at the bat, he answers with an inside-out single to left field. That's his trademark,'' Dipoto said. ''I know that Ichiro doesn't run the way he did maybe 15 years ago, but he still runs above average, shockingly, for a 45-year-old man. I would love to see him get on base and do the things that Ichiro did 15, 18 years ago and excite the crowd and engage the community there in what we're doing because I think the fact that the Mariners are going to play in this opening series in Japan, it's kind of an homage to the franchise's history with Japanese players. More so than our present attraction.
''I think this provides us with an opportunity to pay tribute to Ichiro, to his career, and to all that he's been to this franchise, and really to international baseball. It seems the right thing to do for everybody.''
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/mariners-cant-wait-see-reaction-ichiro-japan-035616960--mlb.html
TIM BOOTH (AP Sports Writer)
The Associated PressMar 6, 2019, 10:56 PM
FILE - In this Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 file photo, Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki bats during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Peoria, Ariz. Jerry Dipoto's first introduction to the world of Ichiro Suzuki was only a small taste compared to what the Seattle Mariners are about to experience when they open the season in Tokyo with a pair of games against the Oakland Athletics. The most decorated player ever to export his talents from Japan to the major leagues is returning home for what could be a farewell to his Hall of Fame career on both sides of the Pacific. His teammates can't wait. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Suzuki's one request for the hoopla that surrounded his return to the Mariners was the news conference and ensuing activities be kept, in his words, ''casual.''
''The entourage arrived, and it looked like the CIA arrival for the president. It was dark windows, suburbans, and Ichiro rolled out and he walked into my office in what I can only describe as something off the runways type of suit,'' Dipoto, the team's general manager, recalled. ''It was like a $5,000 suit that looked as crisp and clean as you can imagine. Impeccable knot in his tie with the dark sunglasses. My first reaction to him was not to shake his hand and introduce myself or the like, I slapped him in the chest and said, 'I thought we were going casual?' He said to me, and this was my intro to Ichiro, he said to me, 'To me, this is casual.'''
It will be nearly a week of celebration and hype surrounding Ichiro. And his teammates are perhaps more excited, more eager than the star himself to see how massive the reception will be.
There is no question Suzuki will be on Seattle's roster for the two games March 20-21 in Japan. He signed a minor league deal before the season, but with the intention of being on the expanded major league roster against the A's. After Japan, there have been no promises about what, if any, role Suzuki will have with the team.
This may have only heightened the anticipation for seeing what happens in Japan knowing this could be the career finale for the 45-year-old outfielder.
''It's much-needed for him. Not just being in Japan but being in your home country as who he is, and who he is respected as, he deserves it,'' Gordon said. ''I want to see him happy. I want to see how happy it makes him. I know he's going to be all professional but I actually want to see if we can get a reaction out of him. Some type of emotion.''
His future beyond these two games in Japan is cloudy. Suzuki could decide this is it, saying goodbye in front of his countrymen. He could return to Seattle and try to earn a spot on the Mariners roster. He could move into a hybrid role like the one he had last year when he started the season on the active roster due to injuries and eventually shifted into an advisory position.
While he wouldn't comment about Suzuki's future, Dipoto did give a glimpse of the scenario he would love to see come to fruition.
''He's in the lineup on opening day, and that as the flashbulbs go off, and he's at the bat, he answers with an inside-out single to left field. That's his trademark,'' Dipoto said. ''I know that Ichiro doesn't run the way he did maybe 15 years ago, but he still runs above average, shockingly, for a 45-year-old man. I would love to see him get on base and do the things that Ichiro did 15, 18 years ago and excite the crowd and engage the community there in what we're doing because I think the fact that the Mariners are going to play in this opening series in Japan, it's kind of an homage to the franchise's history with Japanese players. More so than our present attraction.
''I think this provides us with an opportunity to pay tribute to Ichiro, to his career, and to all that he's been to this franchise, and really to international baseball. It seems the right thing to do for everybody.''
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/mariners-cant-wait-see-reaction-ichiro-japan-035616960--mlb.html
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Tom Seaver, Hall of Fame pitcher and three-time Cy Young winner, diagnosed with dementia
Seaver has chosen to retire from public life
Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver has been diagnosed with dementia and has retired from public life, his family announced in a statement through the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on Thursday.
The Seaver family announced today that Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver has recently been diagnosed with dementia. Tom will continue to work in his beloved vineyard at his California home, but has chosen to completely retire from public life. The family is deeply appreciative of those who have supported Tom throughout his career, on and off the field, and who do so now by honoring his request for privacy. We join Tom in sending warmest regards to everyone.
Seaver, 74, won three National League Cy Young Awards and 311 games during his storied, 20-year long MLB career in which he pitched for the Mets, Reds, White Sox and Red Sox. Seaver won a career-high 25 games in 1969, leading the New York Mets to their first World Series title in franchise history. The right-hander was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1992, receiving 98.8 percent of the vote.
Seaver was a 12-time All-Star and his No. 41 was retired by the Mets. Seaver's former team released a statement about his diagnosis Thursday:
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/...hUYz-opa5X2GGxvEOWGvaMvPd2-Hrh1zcYXc0qDv8dCUU
Seaver has chosen to retire from public life
- by Katherine Acquavella
- 18 hrs ago • 1 min read
Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver has been diagnosed with dementia and has retired from public life, his family announced in a statement through the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on Thursday.
The Seaver family announced today that Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver has recently been diagnosed with dementia. Tom will continue to work in his beloved vineyard at his California home, but has chosen to completely retire from public life. The family is deeply appreciative of those who have supported Tom throughout his career, on and off the field, and who do so now by honoring his request for privacy. We join Tom in sending warmest regards to everyone.
Seaver, 74, won three National League Cy Young Awards and 311 games during his storied, 20-year long MLB career in which he pitched for the Mets, Reds, White Sox and Red Sox. Seaver won a career-high 25 games in 1969, leading the New York Mets to their first World Series title in franchise history. The right-hander was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1992, receiving 98.8 percent of the vote.
Seaver was a 12-time All-Star and his No. 41 was retired by the Mets. Seaver's former team released a statement about his diagnosis Thursday:
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/...hUYz-opa5X2GGxvEOWGvaMvPd2-Hrh1zcYXc0qDv8dCUU
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Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw will not pitch on opening day
By JORGE CASTILLO
MAR 18, 2019 | 11:20 PM
| PHOENIX
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw signs autographs at Camelback Ranch before a game against the San Francisco Giants on March 11. (Norm Hall / Getty Images)
Clayton Kershaw will not start for the Dodgers on opening day, manager Dave Roberts announced Monday, confirming what has been obvious for weeks and effectively ending Kershaw’s franchise-record streak of consecutive opening-day starts at eight.
“When he’s ready to pitch for us is when he’ll pitch for us,” Roberts said.
A decision on who will start opening day hasn’t been made. Ross Stripling will replace Kershaw in the rotation, Roberts announced late Monday night, after the right-hander was dominant over four shutout innings against Texas.
Shoulder inflammation sabotaged Kershaw’s spring days after Roberts had named him the club’s opening-day starter for the ninth straight year. He went four days without throwing after logging a bullpen session Feb. 20. He didn’t pitch off a mound again until March 11, nearly three weeks later. Kershaw threw only fastballs in the first session and again in the second bullpen. He used his entire arsenal off a mound for the first time in his third session Sunday.
Kershaw, who turns 31 on Tuesday, will next throw in a live batting practice session on Wednesday. If he emerges healthy, he’d ideally throw again on Saturday. Roberts, however, said he isn’t sure whether that is the plan.
https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-clayton-kershaw-dodgers-opening-day-20190318-story.html
By JORGE CASTILLO
MAR 18, 2019 | 11:20 PM
| PHOENIX
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw signs autographs at Camelback Ranch before a game against the San Francisco Giants on March 11. (Norm Hall / Getty Images)
Clayton Kershaw will not start for the Dodgers on opening day, manager Dave Roberts announced Monday, confirming what has been obvious for weeks and effectively ending Kershaw’s franchise-record streak of consecutive opening-day starts at eight.
“When he’s ready to pitch for us is when he’ll pitch for us,” Roberts said.
A decision on who will start opening day hasn’t been made. Ross Stripling will replace Kershaw in the rotation, Roberts announced late Monday night, after the right-hander was dominant over four shutout innings against Texas.
Shoulder inflammation sabotaged Kershaw’s spring days after Roberts had named him the club’s opening-day starter for the ninth straight year. He went four days without throwing after logging a bullpen session Feb. 20. He didn’t pitch off a mound again until March 11, nearly three weeks later. Kershaw threw only fastballs in the first session and again in the second bullpen. He used his entire arsenal off a mound for the first time in his third session Sunday.
Kershaw, who turns 31 on Tuesday, will next throw in a live batting practice session on Wednesday. If he emerges healthy, he’d ideally throw again on Saturday. Roberts, however, said he isn’t sure whether that is the plan.
https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-clayton-kershaw-dodgers-opening-day-20190318-story.html
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