Ichiro's iconic throw to 3rd base

4/11/01: Ichiro Suzuki nails Terrence Long trying to go first-to-third on a single to right field.
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[@michael_caz_nyc]

He was the Total Package: Glove, Arm, Hitting, Speed, Attitude & Respect

[@sstills951]

Yeah but he’s Asian. They're not usually as good.

[@hskshag00]

He had power too, he just didn’t show it. He often hit monster bombs during BP and said he could hit 40 home runs a year but he would have to hit .220 to do that, and he didn’t want to sacrifice his batting average bc he thought that would be more beneficial to the team

[@chrishandsome4267]

Seamus Flannery you’re a strange list of virgin & sadness

[@bluepenguin3686]

The attitude and respect of a champion. Few have this.

[@HH-vf1ps]

xXBigRojoXx he should’ve won a championship man, if only the mariners weren’t horribly run after 2001

[@TTV.iMontonSoup]

I hate how the second he starts the throw, the camera angle changes!

[@georgekline9213]

Great play ruined my horrible camera switching.

[@TTV.iMontonSoup]

Tell me about it

[@user-cp3ip3rw7r]

ichiro played his 20's in Japan. 9 years. that was his peak. ichiro played in mlb mainly his 30's. it is not fair to compare Jeter's 20's and ichiro's 30's by stats.

[@lhfirex]

@MANCHESTER UNITED and Manchester United is only big in the sewer.

[@pendekarlaut3129]

@MANCHESTER UNITED manchester is blue

[@SylviusTheMad]

"Why did he run if I was going to throw him out?" - Ichiro, after his eighth major league game.

[@SandbagCasts]

SB nation

[@Zach_Attack1]

MANCHESTER UNITED uh, cool

[@tannercollins9863]

They didn't respect him, its very insulting to a professional athlete.

[@all2061]

MANCHESTER UNITED F.C sorry but it’s pretty boring of a sport. Other sports require more gear so that’s one reason it’s more popular. If you like acting and pretending to be hurt then yeah soccer is fun to watch.

[@lucasng4712]

@@all2061 Preferences are preferences, but there's a reason it's the most popular sport in the world. The gear argument is moronic

[@R3AL1]

Damn today marks exactly 20 years since this catch. Throw was so perfect the third baseman didn't even need to move his glove to get the guy out.

[@yesyourhonoriknowbut9510]

Imagine getting beaned with that though

[@christophervardas2140]

@@yesyourhonoriknowbut9510 ddr e

[@christophervardas2140]

@@yesyourhonoriknowbut9510 is dee

[@collarbone2995]

its not 20 years wdym

[@R3AL1]

@@collarbone2995 Yes it was in april of 2001. we are in 2021. That is 20 years my friend.

[@JonahLoeb]

9 days after Ichiro's MLB debut. Poor Long. He didn't know yet.

[@charliemas1]

and no one ever ran on his arm again.

[@shoukatsukai]

+Charlie Mas Ahem... Unless you're Vladimir Guerrero

[@Ea-Nasir_Copper_Co]

Charlie Mas I kid you not: look up Japanese language compilations of Ichiro’s “greatest throws” and you see time and again guys refusing to test him.

[@jbFromNYC]

Yep, someone didn't get the memo. 😂

[@dhinton1]

The video from Ichiro in Japan had not cleared customs yet. lol

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

Many people make fun of Ichiro because he is always stretching on the field but I think more people should follow his example. He has never gotten hurt. If I was an owner paying these players millions of dollars I would want them all to be stretching all the time so they could avoid getting hurt.

[@beggerstager]

But, is it true that if you stretch too much you'll get hurt?

[@mauia88]

BeggerStager Apparently not.

[@mauia88]

BeggerStager So it is as they say, "Everything in moderation."

[@KingTotz]

BeggerStager He just stretches between pitches to stay loose. Baseball can get really slow at times and it's easy to get tight just standing out there. It's not like he's doing yoga for 3 hours out there.

[@beggerstager]

Tayler Landas-Edin Imagine... catching a ball whilst doing Yoga.

[@humphreygruntwhistle3946]

Ichiro was 27 years old in his first MLB season and still reached 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases. Mind-boggling.

[@francus7227]

Well, he hit over 900 hits in his first four seasons. He hit .502 in high-school.... but they recruit in high-school in Japan. It was the best high-school in Japan for baseball. He could have played MLB at 17 yrs old. He woulda, coulda, shoulda, hit 5,000 hits as a MLB player with 20 gold gloves... 2nd best player in my life only to Hank.... too much power, RBI's, runs, glove, arm.... longevity. Hank is #1 then Ichiro. After that we'd need beer to talk out the rest. My third is A-Rod. Then Ricky. Then Barry. Then Jr. Then Rod. Then Roberto. Then Tony. Then Pete....

[@barrelrolltoday6051]

​​@@francus7227 No Pujols? Last time I checked he's done most things statistically that few ever will. Same with Miguel. Lou Gehrig had career high in RBI the same year Babe Ruth hit 60 and he was batting behind the Babe. Stan the Man's stats are absurd. More than doubled his stirkeout to walk ratio.

[@francus7227]

@barrelrolltoday6051 You listed three first basemen that can't run. One dimensional HITTERS. Ichiro lost 7 or 8 of his best seasons. Shattered the all-time single season hits record. The next closest 11 guys were born before 1900 ! The only player ten 200+ hits in a season except Rose, who's were scattered. Ichiro's were all IN A ROW. Plus..... 10 straight GOLD GLOVES. He has a 90 mph fastball that moves. Albert..... Camped out at 1st and DH'd. Ichiro was NEVER our for injury. He was only thrown out of one game in his CAREER.

[@francus7227]

@@barrelrolltoday6051 A bunch of 1st basemen.

[@barrelrolltoday6051]

@@francus7227 It doesn't take away from the fact that they are one of a kind type players. Ichiro is a one of a kind type player. You say A Rod, I say Albert. We're simply comparing apples to apples. Ichiro, however, anybody that knows anything about the game can agree that he is what a player should strive to be.

[@tyroland06]

Always remember, he made this throw in his *8th career MLB game.*

[@Trisket]

He was 27 and had been playing professional baseball for 9 years in Japan...

[@jacobsimpson9357]

He played pro in japan

[@FUSRODORABLE]

Trisket notice how he said *MLB* game dumbasses, the Japanese pro league is comparable to triple A so it’s still very impressive

[@jacobsimpson9357]

crowbe yeah but his comment makes it sound like he was just a rookie when he made the throw but ichiro had already played 8 years in japan so he already had 8 years of experience when he made the play

[@evillemperor5447]

Jacob Simpson he was technically a rookie in MLB. Read between the lines, bud.

[@jeffpuha8187]

You're looking at the first Japanese player to be elected to the MLB Hall of Fame. And, as of today, he only needs 46 more hits to reach 3000 for his American baseball career. Icing on the cake. He was Rookie of the Year in 2001 and MVP in the same year. He also has won 10 Gold Gloves. He also has 500 stolen bases, which leads all active players. Not to mention he holds the record for hits in a season at 262, and had 200-plus hits 10 years in a row, which is also a record. Ichiro is one of the most complete players in the modern era. Imagine what he would have done had he played all of his career in MLB.

[@breakaway2x]

The most perfect baseball player if there ever was one. Skills unmatched. Let's also not forget combining his Japanese career totals, he has more hits than Pete Rose. Ichiro came over to the MLB when he was already 27 years old. Imagine the MLB numbers and records he'd have had he played his entire career here from the start!

[@Jackiezyon]

As of July 5,2016 he needs 10 hits. Good luck Ichrio.

[@vega21]

First ballot.

[@breakaway2x]

Yep, and he also made it look cooler than almost anyone else in baseball other than the steroid behemoths in McGwire and Bonds. I don't think anyone was as cool as Ichiro and Griffey Jr.

[@Jackiezyon]

+breakaway2x Ichiro is way better than Griffey Jr. He accomplished more in less time.

[@RobynHode8]

Some of the worst camera work in history

[@TruthinWWE]

This was in 2001 they didn't use as many cameras to film the game as they do now

[@threenumbnuts]

TruthinWWE It's not because they used too few cameras, it's because they had too many. Stick with the same one from the moment he throws the ball until the third baseman makes his catch.

[@thenman23]

my only thoughts watching this. just terrible

[@gentbar7296]

Joe Gates this play is GOLD camera Not

[@MyNikeSocksON]

I liked the angle

[@flyinhawaiian5848]

Executes a perfect strike to 3rd, then casually stretches in preparation for the next play . . . What a privilege it was to see this incredibly talented, gracious, and humble man play back in the day!

[@nickpatterson679]

it literally doesn’t get better than this…! Japan has brought some absolute beauty to baseball. what a memory

[@rickshelton1955]

I dropped my son while playing with him after seeing this live on ESPN. He's 19 now and doesnt blame me.

[@thebigchap101]

Rick Shelton How does he remember that?

[@nutsackmania]

@@thebigchap101 love

[@phillipleblanc7823]

What kind of diapers does he wear?

[@remek_ember]

he's a plant

[@ImVee10]

Dad: Son, do you remember when we were playing, and I dropped you? Son: When I grow up, I’m going to Bovine University!

[@NoJokes11B]

The most underhyped underappreciated MLB superstar in the last 15 years

[@gentbar7296]

H.M. GOAT

[@groowanderer]

Underappreciated in America, yes. They worshipped him in Asian countries. I remember spending a couple weeks in Seattle, went to several games, and the entire city was overloaded with Japanese tourists. I didn't know why until my uncle explained it was because of Ichiro. This was, I believe in 97? The year they just couldn't lose. Good times, good memories. I've still got the free shirt and ball they passed out as we walked in.

[@OMGclueless]

Hardly underappreciated. Everyone loves him. He's a shoe-in first-ballot hall-of-famer.

[@MrVvulf]

He sits in the pantheon of humble giants along with Tim Duncan.

[@maurolevy5147]

@@groowanderer He joined the M's in 2001, so this must have been the summer of '01. A darn shame he never got a ring :(

[@dogcatchen]

2019 Ichiro retired, 2018 Shohei Joined the MLB. One Legend from Japan leaves, another one comes to take his place.

[@realisticcamping]

Eric Byrnes once said that not only did Ichiro have all of the tools he was so well known for, but of all the players he had ever played with, Ichiro had the most power. Byrnes said that during practice, Ichiro could hit the ball farther than anyone he had ever seen, but during games his bread and butter was concentrating on hitting for average and getting on base. What an awesome talent.

[@Moose6340]

That was the sheer insanity of Ichiro. If he wanted to he could've been a major power hitter. But he didn't. He'd rather go 3-5 with three singles and two runs scored than go 1-5 but have that one be a 440-foot dinger. He literally had EVERY tool in the baseball toolbox at his disposal and could pick and choose the ones he wanted to focus on.

[@Officer_Main69]

Legend, I love Ichiro

[@user-cw9ig6ui8n]

MainTime ほんとな

[@kohtayamajiofficialyoutube2106]

MainTime Right.

[@user-cp3ip3rw7r]

俺もだぜ兄貴

[@breakaway2x]

The most perfect baseball player if there ever was one. Perfection. Precision. Timeless. Ichiro.

[@bosox3431]

Lol that's pushing it. Great player no doubt, great fielder with a great arm. But he had little power and was mostly a slap hitting singles hitter. A guy with his speed and contact ability should have had far more than 350 doubles. Of the 84 players who have amassed 10k pkate appearances in MLB, only Graig Nettles and Darrell Evans have fewer doubles than Ichiro. Pujols, who's prime was basically the same time as Ichiro's, was a more perfect player. The only thing Ichiro had on him was base stealing(Pujols was a good base runner overall though) and the arm, which in Punols' case wasn't as big if a deal. Pujols never had 200 hits, but even with fewer hits he got more valuable hits. From 2001-2010, they had the same exact .331 average, but Pujols had the better OBP by 50 points and nearly a 200 point advantage in slugging. Pujols struckout .2% more than Ichiro, but walked over twice as often. He was also a fine fielder. And for a slugger, his 75 SBs during that time is respectable.

[@bosox3431]

+Ryan If he had power he never showed it dring play. I've heard about his power in batting practice, or what they call raw power. Big difference between it and actual game power.

[@bosox3431]

+Tony Keop A player can still be good, even great, and still be overrated by fans and the media. Overrated doesn't mean bad. He's overrated because many people think he's the greatest hitter ever, when he isn't even close. Again, there's more to hitting than slapping a bunch if singles. You could easily find 30 guys who were better.

[@IceBloo]

He holds back his power because if he doesn't his hit percentage goes down. Teams play him because of his high hit rate not for power. He said he could hit more a lot more home runs if he's allowed to go to .220 but no one wants that.

[@TheGeorgeD13]

Kenneth... You couldn't be more wrong. A hit is a hit. I'd prefer a guy like him hitting singles than a guy hitting doubles and triples that does it less consistently. He's one of the top 15 players ever and one of the top 5 hitters ever. NO SUCH THING AS AN OVERRATED PLAYER.

[@budthewiser7294]

If Ichiro didn’t have to spend 7 years in the Japanese before going to the majors he would’ve broke Pete Rose’s all time hits record

[@danielcrane991]

Ichiro is one of the top five players ever! He came into the majors after playing all those years in Japan and still had 3000 hits! Watching him play was like watching those great players of the 20s and 30s, with his unorthodox stance and hitting stile. Not to mention playing in the field excellent with a great arm his only fault never winning a World Series, but not his fault! My favorite player ever and I’m 70 and been watching Baseball a long time.

[@lewischangNYY]

He retired in 2019. What a legend.

[@diablo5617]

It’s 2024 and I miss the good ol days of Safeco Field

[@vicodumb]

I love how a guy like Ichiro doesn't prance around and preen after an epic play. Just doing what he gets paid to do. High five Dude!

[@timsunderland5153]

It’s Cause he isn’t American.

[@vicodumb]

@@timsunderland5153 Afraid you're right

[@International_Internet]

something close to a samurai

[@duffman18]

​@@International_Internet no. The samurai were tyrannical lords who went around raping women and children and murdering the husbands and fathers of those women and children. They had absolutely no sense of honor whatsoever, that whole load of bollocks was literally invented by Hollywood. The actual reality is very very different from what you think it is. Ichiro is not a samurai, because that's a disgusting insult to the man to call him that. He's actually a good person, he's very honorable, he's dedicated to his craft, and he's incredibly loyal, and he's never raped anyone or murdered anyone.

[@johnszczerba9979]

​@@timsunderland5153Hispanics especially

[@user-xz7xp7qt3t]

私が野球を始めるきっかけを作ってくれた偉大な選手

[@sjang816]

I love his casualness afterwards. lots of right fielders and outfielders in general might have had longer throws but look at that pinpoint accuracy! it really was like he was aiming at a strike zone at 3rd base. perfection is a beautiful thing to watch

[@adampilarski7083]

What no one seems to remember about this is how fast Terence Long was. He was known for his speed and he was gunned down easily. It’s no wonder no one ever ran on hits to right again.

[@scoutisabelle]

You must be thinking of someone else. Terrence Long had slightly above average speed and never stole more than 9 bases in a season.

[@o.o.08]

今見てもすごい。美しい送球。

[@trogman43988]

It was an honor to watch Ichiro live when I was a kid in the early 2000s. Exceptional player in every regard

[@TheNintendoCode]

Very underrated player because people don't count his accomplishments in Japan. He played ridiculously well in Japan.

[@BAFrayd-nl4mz]

***** Not given, because he wasn't in New York. Ichiro broke the most important record in baseball, most hits in a season. Except it wasn't important because he wasn't playing in New York. If he had been playing in New York when it happened, it would have been the most important accomplishment in the history of all sports, simply because it was in New York. Each year, on it's anniversary, ESPN would pay tribute with a moving personal story about Ichiro and his accomplishment, complete with a moving, dramatic soundtrack.

[@charlesthelesser3414]

He’s really not underrated what’re you talking about

[@0ookii0]

Underrrated?? he is a living legend, what are you talking about?

[@PerritoGG]

Considered by many in the scene as one of the greatest baseball players of all time and here you are, calling him underrated.

[@jaygiant10]

All time great no question

[@sageparra4956]

I still remember watching this live. One of the greatest plays in MLB history.

[@donarthiazi2443]

Whoa, easy there kiddo... let's not get carried away here.

[@aspe7187]

THE greatest play in the history of professional sports was when Bo pegged Harold Reynolds at home.

[@donarthiazi2443]

@@aspe7187 See above comment. But oh yeah, Bo nailing Harold was truly unreal

[@afridgetoofar1818]

Jose Guillen’s throw was _waaay_ more impressive.

[@skhetan1]

@@afridgetoofar1818 For me it's Cespedes throw against Kendrick in 2014.... which was also a 1-1 tie in the 8th inning

[@meltedmarshdaddy]

Ichiro was awesome. I got a baseball from him when I was a little kid. He caught the final out of the inning and threw the ball into the crowd as he ran into the dugout and I caught it. 🤩 I still have the ball today.

[@sstar8887]

大事にしろよ。

[@MyLife-og2kr]

How much do you want for the ball?

[@windowmaker525]

''The ball was hit right to me. Why did he run when I was going to throw him out?''

[@f328gts1988]

This must be most beautiful throw, ever, I have seen.

[@f328gts1988]

Thanks! I did not know Vladimir Guerrero and now found his great throws on KZbin.

[@bosox3431]

Find the video of Bo Jackson throwing Harold Reynolds out at home from the warning track in LF.

[@Kreamations]

+cacable7 at third was the best throw ever.

[@Kreamations]

+cacable7 That's literally exactly what I just said. Jose's throw to third was the best.

[@Kreamations]

+cacable7 Sorry if I sounded like an asshole. We're cool bro.

[@teddyballgame8791]

This is a man who was born to play baseball.. what a tremendous talent. Ichiro is the consummate professional that any young boy who loves to play ball should look up to.

[@KevinSmith-pp8ee]

Ichiro and Ken Griffey, Jr. Two fantastic, totally all-around great players!

[@yankmyass]

Such a shame they weren't on the same team at the same time. Imagine a team with Ichiro, Griffey, A-Rod, and Edgar.

[@duffman18]

​@@yankmyass they were on the same team at the same time though. They got into tickle fights in the locker room. Look it up.

[@FinnTheGentleman]

Ichiro makes me feel proud of japan and I'm not even japanese

[@hineighbor]

0:45 Oh my dear lord... perfection!

[@Durbit428]

Ichiro was insane. Dude could always hit it straight into whatever gap was in the field and had an insane arm.

[@obj298]

No celebration, no fist pumping, jumping up and down, yelling and screaming... nothing! All in a day's work. All class!

[@avusan]

当時は日本中が毎日毎日午前中ワクワクしていた。イチローが今日はどんなプレーをした、何本ヒットを打ったって話題ばかりだった。今は大谷がそれを引き継いでいる。怪我が治ってまたワクワクさせてほしい。

[@jaredcloud6137]

The Throw! This is the play that started all of Ichiro's great defensiveness in the MLB. Ichiro is an outstanding professional baseball player. I really miss having him with the Mariners; so many great memories.

[@xmypantsx]

Jared Cloud and now he’s back and still doing his thing

[@gentbar7296]

Jared Cloud not just you

[@marthajane6596]

I'll never forget the '01 Mariners. Couldn't go to bed, I don't care how many extrees!

[@brianbarrett192]

@@marthajane6596 When MLB was still an entertaining game. Now it is soooo boring; Homerun Derby...snore...

[@marthajane6596]

@@brianbarrett192 sure, lots of baseball games are boring, but the ones that aren't are the best!

[@JacobBush16]

I remember my mom telling me to look up to this guy because he was such a great all-around player. I didn’t play baseball. I played soccer and downhill alpine skiing. But this man’s abilities just permeate every sport. He’s an idol for all, and god damn is that throw impressive.

[@buuuuuuyan]

守備の１シーンだけでここまで記憶に残るプレイヤーはいるのだろうか・・

[@user-cr5in4qq7c]

宇野勝「誰か忘れてないか？」

[@user-oq4du8ly5b]

GG佐藤「誰か忘れてないか？」

[@jaygannon3560]

I can't believe this unbelievable throw was 22 years ago. It seems like yesterday I was in middle school racing home to watch the Mariners on Fox Sports Northwest...

[@seanpaulsen2731]

The announcers keep saying that it was a bad decision to try and go for third but I disagree. A near perfect throw was required to get him and even then the play would have still been close. Ichiro made a 100% perfect throw that he probably doesn't make 100% of the time. It wasn't a bad decision to try for third, but it just didn't work out.

[@ethanbondehagen812]

a near perfect throw? I think you mean a perfect throw. doesn't matter if it needed a near perfect throw. you never try to stretch it when ichiro is in right field. bad decision bad baserunning. It's about the same thing as running on vladdy you don't do it.

[@break5033]

+Ethan Bondehagen I dont think at the time it was a bad call,most people would run for it.Even for Ichiro the throw was impressive.

[@kyleowsen]

+Ethan Bondehagen You also have to remember that this was the play that cemented Ichiro's reputation as someone you don't run on.

[@PoolarityChannel]

There's a video where Ichiro practices throwing within 1 foot of the base from the outfield, so it's just his routine throw because of practice. He makes that throw most of the time.

[@ohiostatebuckeyesandclevel9932]

It was literally more than perfect

[@heyyywhynot]

“The throw by Ichiro? Beautiful! Peggy? Get ‘em!”

[@mrb6516]

I remember being in the left field bleachers when this happened. One of the greatest throws of all time.

[@FreedomIII]

Damn, that would mean that you got a really nice side-on view of the throw.

[@mrb6516]

@@FreedomIII Yes it was amazing and it was his rookie season and there were these 4 japanese girls behind my cousin and me with a 10 foot wide sign that said Ichiro and everytime he came out to left field they would yell "ICHIRO" at him

[@sammencia7945]

Lived in Seatac then. Coworker saw this game and told me I had to go see Ichiro play. This throw got everyone's attention. Saw him a week or two later. He played the infield like it was a complete park. Chop hopper to third was a hit. Unreal.

[@Mr1000words]

unbelievable arm......power with accuracy. Ichiro is the best

[@TheOpus55]

A legendary throw by a legend. He has been always my hero and will always be forever!

[@ColoradoStreaming]

The Mariners were never the best team but there was a certain love and passion they had back in the day. I remember growing up in Seattle and hearing Dave Niehaus's classic sportscasting and going to the Kingdome to watch Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Edgar Matinez, Jay Buhner and Ichiro. Especially that feeling when Ichiro got on first and you could feel the tension in the other team knowing he was going to ninja steal second base any minute. My favorite number is 24 to this day thanks to Griffey.

[@saints2superbowl757]

The A's were even moneyballin' the camera crew

[@bethbettencourt1715]

ICHIRO!

[@CarsonClaws]

ICHIRO!

[@waynej2608]

Excellent, beyond 'textbook'.

[@WegotTheBOMB]

I will always think of Ichiro as "old-timey" great. The man had all the tools and was tough as the leather. Respect!

[@panowa8319]

I cannot believe it has been 20 years since Ichiro's MLB debut.

[@herzeliedstein573]

I cried watching his last game at like 6am Ichiro forever!

[@JDsVarietyChannel]

Impressive.

[@collindemonsta2455]

*awsome*

[@Sub2TeamPickle]

Wow Awesome

[@venomsymbiont]

Most impressive.

[@seahawks1185]

This isn't even his best frozen ropes, he launched it from deep first base baseline near the wall to home plate for the out, one of the best throws of all time.

[@kanyewest6539]

@@venomsymbiont came here and was gonna be mad if someone hadn't said it. thank you

[@jdspreest]

that's just an amazing throw...a perfect strike to the third baseman..and he even put a bit of movement on the throw, look at it you can see it cuts to the right...cannon arm

[@bohunt9596]

And Jose Guillen threw a better strike from the warning track. *yawn*

[@curbozer5006]

He was a living tribute to the positive effects of working out like a maniac, stretching a lot, and living drug and alcohol free...truly a Ninja type of athlete!...and that is what I like about baseball...you can excel as a smaller man at this game.

[@ynot6781]

Omfg easy Skippy , it was a good throw from shallow right , 10 feet further back he hits the runner in a bounce he's got a good arm , but nowhere near a cannon . He's not near the top 10 cannon arms

[@PNWestBlotter]

Needs Dave Niehaus' call. "Threw something outta Star Wars" is probably my favorite sports call ever!

[@ColoradoStreaming]

Swung on and Belted! I remember we used to watch the Mariners games on TV and would mute it then turn the radio on just to hear Dave Niehaus.

[@johnmccallum1185]

I love the umpires reaction after he calls the out. He immediately looks at Ichiro to check who threw that ball.

[@yoniburack]

if ichiro played in mlb from when he was 20 yrs old. no doubt he would be the GOAT

[@mariepovey9477]

yoniburack No, not better than Ruth. Keep in mind that Ruth is one of the best pitchers in history, on top of his hitting. Ruth retired 80+ years ago, and he still holds records. Even Hank Aaron says nobody is as good as Ruth. But Ichiro is the second best player ever.

[@jasonmain6398]

Ohtani might want a word

[@nachogonzaga603]

Jason Main are you seriously comparing The Babe to that Japanese bust in the making? Just please stop

[@jasonmain6398]

Nacho Gonzaga yeah that's true. Ohtani doesn't use peds or play against shitters like Ruth

[@jasonmain6398]

Daniel D ichiro proved himself better than Pete Rose though lol

[@Kinzey]

Ichiro was so much fun to watch back in the day.

[@nyujay2010]

One of the great baseball players of all time - period! If he played every season in the U.S. he would so many more records. And Rose's record would have been in jeopardy for sure.

[@poponsingers]

I will never forget the name Terrence Long.

[@newyorkguy345]

walks back to his position nonchalantly cuz he knows he's baaad

[@GameRunnersHD]

how are you a yankee fan and you don't like ichiro whats good with you ?

[@lmoriarty1]

***** I think he may mean "baaad" as in badass

[@newyorkguy345]

***** Replace the word i used baaad with good,beast,badman or even badass. That's how i meant it.

[@GameRunnersHD]

no I understood what he meant. he just wasn't specific when he said "bad" it could mean two different things. it dosen't mean I have Asperger's syndrome you moron.

[@Goldenslumbers420]

***** I'm pretty sure you're the moron here haha, I can't believe you didn't understand that first comment.

[@polite_as_fuck]

You know it’s a great play when the fans give an opposing player a standing ovation.

[@smartacus1367]

Man what a player. Nowadays, few players would even try to make this throw, they would just give up and throw the ball back to the middle infield

[@himari55]

これ敵地だよね。「うわ、なんか凄いものみた」って感じでざわざわしてるの好き。「アウトかよくっそー」という反応とは違う雰囲気。

[@Sweeneytv]

I remember Irchiros rookie season. That was a fun time to be a mariners fan.

[@autiebell1357]

I watched this particular game. When Ichiro first came from Japan he was already in his prime. He was the best right fielder in baseball.

[@lewishhyen]

21 years... I still miss Ichiro and wear his tshirt. I’ll bring all his stuff I bought with me into my coffin.

[@javjav9203]

The beginning of a legend.

[@fa-jq8mm]

Thanks Ichiro🐐🐐🐐

[@sullman1967]

I’ve seen (almost) every great player in the last 45 years, but it wasn’t complete until I saw Ichiro. The guy is a pure hitting machine. Oh, and he had a ridiculous arm, glove and was a master base runner/stealer. He was nearly the perfect ball player.

[@squp4173]

サードがランナーをタッチしやすい場所 ちょうどいい場所へボールが届けられました。伝説的な精密さ。

[@alooga555]

I was watching this game on TV and I still vividly remember this killer throw from the right field.

[@blazingbattlehawk9626]

I like how the umpire acted like it was routine just a simple out gesture

[@Daniel-ve6ht]

2019 still watching

[@CastoKidd]

I was at that game! I believe it was his first game in Oakland....My friend and I looked at each other wide eye mouths open....I said WOW this dude is the real deal...BRING BASEBALL BACK!

[@dmochat]

I was there too - and you're right, it was his first game in Oakland! A game I'll never forget.

[@tyklug2013]

My favorite player of all-time. If he wanted to, he could hit 30 homers in a season. He chooses not to and hits for average instead.

[@10Peter25]

With the advances in analytics, most players today are told to hit the ball into the air and try for doubles and home runs. Ichiro was that rare player with enough speed to justify telling him to slap the ball into the ground and try to leg out infield singles. He was also a tough m***f*** to strike out, which made him even more likely to hit infield singles.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

@@10Peter25 That and he was savage good at stealing bases.

[@HKim0072]

Wow, the accuracy of the throw. The glove barely moved for the tag.

[@user-tm7me1ef9l]

Ichiro made baseball more fun.

[@michaeltreachler3270]

I was there for this game. That whole stadium was in shock for the rest of the game. Ichiro didn’t even start this game. He came off the bench as a defensive replacement….great job coach

[@drbryant23]

Great angle at 00:43. You can see why it's an iconic throw.

[@user-he5ww5ef9h]

Thank you ichiro!

[@moosemoose3092]

I was fortunate to see Ichiro play in Japan in the 90s. He scaled the right field wall to make a catch and pegged a dime to throw out the guy tagging from second base. It was rare to have someone challenge his arm over there because, well, because he is Ichiro.

[@n0tk0sher]

It really is a thing of beauty.

[@alexovechkin5999]

One of the best plays ever

[@rickkinki4624]

Ichiro, a first-ballot Hall of Famer for sure!

[@PiazzaGurl]

Ichiro was another player I loved watching in action. He was just amazing at the game. He was fast, great arm, he could hit. Very humble.

[@jakejakeboom]

Crazy to think about MLB right fielders hitting 3rd base from the warning track.

[@gobblenater]

Finally I know where that "LASER BEAM" sound byte comes from.

[@CoolRobbit]

*earth explodes*

[@TMKE]

ありがとうイチロー！！！！！

[@-.TS.-]

I keep coming back to this video to relive the moment. I’ll be back again soon. I miss watching Ichiro play so much. I’m glad I went to every game when he was in town.

[@user-zt3tu6gn3z]

I am Japanese, just like Ichiro-san. I am grateful to have been born in the same country, to have lived in the same era, and to have been able to watch him play. He is a national treasure.

[@LordBurger]

whenever ichiro comes up in a conversation my dad talks about how he had a front row seat for that catch. truly iconic

[@dmochat]

awesome. I was there that game too! Sitting on the 3rd-base side. I remember that we couldn't even bring ourselves to boo or complain that T-Long was thrown out because in that moment, if you were a true baseball fan, you were just... stunned. And impressed, and gobsmacked at what you'd just witnessed. Some of us even lightly applauded the throw - we had to give it up for sheer excellence.

[@LordBurger]

@@dmochat fans know greatness when they see it. hard to hate it in that fashion!

[@Ea-Nasir_Copper_Co]

@@dmochat The crowd is making that collective "holy mother of God, what did I just see?" sound that away crowds make when an opposing player does something great.

[@one_exp99]

Fun fact: The umpire was so impressed by his throw so he decided to give Mariners extra 2 outs.

[@Definitely_not_Andrew_Yoshiaki]

I hope he finds a team to be on, as a Japanese-American, he was my hope, dream, and is still one of my biggest role models. I just hope he can play until he's 50 in the majors :( I know the competition is tight, but he deserves to play more.

[@LKSgm]

51. A truly legendary number.

[@dougbodenhamer9391]

Ichiro was so awesome. One of the greatest right fielders ever.

[@pikapikachu8694]

2025 Hall of Famer

[@michaelmanny4605]

Beautiful