Ichiro's First At Bat As Yankee

I got front row seats last night - July 23 - and witnessed up close Ichiro Suzuki's first at-bat as a Yankee. First he took-in the standing Ovation.

[@tigerguy1013]

I've never seen a home crowd cheer a player from the other team, that's how much respect Ichiro has in Seattle. A sure hall of famer

[@TheBatugan77]

If the same thing happened in reverse, I'd applaud and tip my cap. He's a class individual and an all time great.

[@chriscab]

I may be remembering this wrong but he played half the game as a mariner and the other half as a yankee

[@jeremyeinbinder4632]

@@chriscab not exactly. What happened is that the Yankees played a series in Seattle and Ichiro got traded during those few days so he went from playing for the Mariners one day to opposing them the next day. All he had to do was get a new uniform and go over to the other clubhouse. So since the fans were still used to Ichiro playing for them, it was easy to cheer.

[@41Brother2]

It's rare but it actually has happened in other places. Prime example look up Albert Pujols return to St Louis. The crowd gave him a standing ovation and were applauding and cheering him. Granted it's St. Louis and the fans there are perhaps the classiest in baseball and Pujols is a shoo-in Hall of Famer but still.

[@Jenaxu]

Honestly happens fairly often. Just from the Yankees I remember Matsui, Swisher, and Damon all getting cheers when they came back, as well as Jeter getting cheers at Fenway in his final at bat, CC got cheers for 3000, and Pettitte getting cheers for his final game in Houston. Baseball fans aren't that vicious, if it's a significant milestone or a fan favorite coming back people will cheer more often than not.

[@bilybaobao]

much respect for Ichiro, the living legend. (bow)

[@davelong4131]

This was tough to watch seeing him in another uniform, but grateful to all the fans that attended that day to cheer him on, and to show that he’s never forgotten.

[@alekeiportugal9296]

The perfect baseball player. Period.

[@sterlingbigler4562]

-*Nice applause -"Strike him out!!" Lol

[@TheBatugan77]

The closest thing that happened to Yankees fans was Hideki Matsui coming back to Yankee Stadium as a LA Angel to get his World Series ring. He and Ichiro represented Japan as well as anyone ever did.

[@peterjung2946]

Now you have Ohtani flexing for Japan.

[@meltednostrilsbornwithoutn781]

I mean they were some of the first players to come from Japan to MLB. ICHIRO specifically was the first position player. So what's the relevance of saying that ?

[@meltednostrilsbornwithoutn781]

Pretty sure if Saduharu Oh had decided to come play he would've represented just as much.

[@TheBatugan77]

@@peterjung2946Love that guy. Hope he hits 60, 61 or 62.

[@alex042687]

Yankees coming to town is always fun. Sat next to a Yankee fan and enjoyed him screaming at the Umps and players. Good times. . He was S nice fella.

[@tazmissionplex]

This made me cry

[@Baseball-qh6xe]

he's a superlegend

[@TheBatugan77]

I'm a lifelong Yankees fan. And I welled up when I saw this. Still do.

[@718_markn]

Who’s here after his retirement

[@TheBatugan77]

One thing that isn't mentioned much...if Ichiro had come to the States much younger... he'd have swiped a TON of bases. I was overseas when he played in Japan. Guy ran like lightning.

[@NWNative147]

We sure loved 51 in Seattle, but I remember every time A Roid came up to bat, mannnnn did we boo him. One thing I think the Yanks and the Mariners agree on.

[@kkwok9]

Loved this guy

[@Baseball-qh6xe]

everybody respects him!!

[@UzumakiNaruto-xt9fm]

The legend

[@CecilBMarie]

the ONLY time the Seattle fans have cheered for a Yankee!

[@jonathanfrimerman8855]

Because he was traded from Seattle to NY mid game

[@swl7592]

That's really nice!!

[@alexandermacainag1292]

Understood Lee, thank you for taking the time to reply!

[@tigerguy1013]

No mariner has more respect than that man

[@InMotionForAMillion]

Griffey

[@texasjason64]

respect

[@gabos7892]

"OMG he's bowing!" "That's nice.....that's really nice" 😅😂🤣

[@moseyalong1]

Did anyone happen to notice that he hits left handed and throws right - An amazing athlete.

[@brandonpoarch5780]

His father made him learn how to hit left handed so that he would gain a couple of extra steps out of the batter's box.

[@joeschmoe6908]

I doubt anyone else has ever noticed that.

[@oliviajones5534]

The difference between Yankee fans and Mariner fans. Mariner fans cheered for Ichiro his first time at bat as Yankee. The first time Cano batted as a Mariner at Yankee Stadium they boo'd the heck outta him.

[@felixmendelssohn991]

That's hypocritical logic is damn funny because a guy named Alex Rodriguez played 12 seasons for those Yanks.

[@spitonmeideserveit2483]

new yorkers are so salty about people leaving them makes you wonder where they’re dads went...probably insider trading

[@kmartnw]

Baller Life welcome to the internet snowflake. You must be new

[@steviesoprano]

You’re an idiot. You posted that without context. There’s a reason we boo’d Cano. The fact that you said this and neglect to point out how well we treat our legends and Heroes. We are also known for how well we treat our legends and make sure they’re never forgotten. Get a grip of yourself.

[@steviesoprano]

Thank god I was born a diehard Yankees fan and fanatic because you people in Seattle seem depressed about something that you had to post something without the actual context that gives good reasoning as to why we boo’d him.

[@tigerguy1013]

When’s the next time you’re gonna see Seattle fans cheering for a yankee

[@antvcebu]

Hi Lee, I would like to ask if you have the rest of the video after Ichiro's hit? I actually have the MLB-authenticated game used ball for the next at-bat, which was Russell Martin's groundout ball. I was wondering if this was the same ball that Ichiro hit for his hit as a New York Yankee, but that footage showing the flight of the ball after Ichiro's hit until Russell Martin's groundout was not shown in its entirety in the YES network game telecast. Hoping you have the footage, thank you!

[@LeeCallahan]

LIKE!

[@Wanderersea]

If I were the pitcher going against Ichiro first at bat for a new team, I wouldn't want to strike him out. I'd be honored if he hit my slider, or sinker.

[@seanquinton6159]

Hi there, I'm a producer at the Seattle Times. Wondering if I can use part of your video as a gif (with credit) as part of a project I'm working on. Thanks!

[@LeeCallahan]

Hi there. Yes. Go for it. I'm Lee Callahan. [e-mail]. Let me know where to see your project when done, okay?

[@seanquinton6159]

Sure thing, Lee. Thanks for your help!

[@Seymalltour206]

We should all know ichiro suzki was just hit king please... what happen to home run now for ichiro ? We need for Eric dyson?

[@LeeCallahan]

This is all I took of the event, sorry!

[@SuperRangers21]

he wasn't with them until July...

[@w1llv1nt4ge9]

he better not go in the hall as a Yankee.

[@bilybaobao]

I do hope he comes back and retire as a mariner.

[@Slauson323]

blinghead83 he did!!!

[@SuperRangers21]

great footage but girardi jeez never plays him anymore 😭😡😔😒

[@meltyradio]

簡単に打ちますなー。

[@mustang810]

VS Pete Rose ? don't make me laugh. No comparison.