The first meeting of Ichiro and Michael Jordan 1995

There usually isn't anything all that exciting about two of the world's biggest sports celebrities meeting in person, but this isn't one of those times. With an assist from MLB.com's Matt Monagan, here is Ichiro Suzuki meeting Michael Jordan in Chicago way back in 1995:
There usually isn't anything all that exciting about two of the world's biggest sports celebrities meeting in person, but this isn't one of those times. With an assist from MLB.com's Matt Monagan, here is Ichiro Suzuki meeting Michael Jordan in Chicago way back in 1995:
The video is in Japanese, but let's face it -- you don't need to speak the language to appreciate the starstruck look on the then-22-year-old Ichiro's face. Oh, and that Tom and Jerry turtleneck ... that's the star of the show right there.
Jordan asked Ichiro if he was planning to play in the United States, according to Monagan, and the response was classic Ichiro wit: "Once my arm gets as big as yours, then I'll think about it."

[@brut9614]

The luckiest person here is actually the girl for being in the same room with both of the GOATs

[@Nobody-xe9fc]

Yeah, the translator has got to be really lucky

[@leroylewis1115]

I dont mean to be off topic but does anyone know of a tool to get back into an instagram account?? I stupidly forgot my login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me!

[@mosessamuel6918]

@Leroy Lewis instablaster :)

[@majimanoaniki5625]

Back when in 1995, Ichiro was unfamous in US, but Jordan respected him as an athlete. this is why he is loved by a lot of people.

[@bryant475]

Little did MJ know at the time that he was speaking to one of the best hitters this game has ever seen :)

[@greyohshitson]

@Michael McMillan He did ask him if he was a pitcher, so doesn't seem likely. More likely he was thinking "I bet I can hit better than this kid" haha

[@festmeable]

THE BEST

[@rustyford5511]

@@greyohshitson Jordan needed to be humble

[@kosalsorn2446]

Ichiro is star struck. Jordan met a 1st ballot HOFer and didn't knew it then. classic!! Someone should revisit this moment 20+ years later and ask them about how they feel now.

[@Joseph-lz5er]

6 years later Ichiro ended up winning the rookie of the year and the MVP in the same season in the US. Pretty incredible.

[@stevedavenport1202]

And I saw many of his at bats in person...Mr. Miney.

[@peteocean2848]

But Seattle would continue to choke in running for postseason. With ichiro the hero

[@SomethingWittyRW]

Oh my God look at how young he is and how excited he is to meet Jordan, it's so precious

[@YoanPratamaPutra]

Ichiro's face when he sat on Jordan's chair and said "Take a photo" is really funny LOL

[@wuliwei6939]

Goat meeting Goat

[@boydcrowder9841]

OMG! I love this video because: 1. Look how young Ichiro is!!!! 2. "Is he going to come to America and play?" BOOOM!!!!!

[@futuregohan4837]

At The Time Ichiro Was With The Orix Blue Wave In The Pacific League

[@user-xd7vz2bf5x]

yes!

[@user-ou9ln4vl2n]

at that time he hit 210 Japanese baseball record.

[@isamuominae]

He was 22.

[@peterdang6781]

2 legends...GOAT

[@JohnSmith-en8vx]

Little did the great Michael know that this skinny star eyed Japanese kid would become almost as famous as he did, and become arguably the greatest all around MLB baseball players of all time, and the first Japanese player to be inducted into theCooperstown Hall of fame which should also be on a unanimous vote.

[@stevedavenport1202]

No doubt. Ichiro was a complete stud. Baseball is SO boring, but I enjoyed watching him play live.

[@starblitz_999]

I hope it's unanimous, but you know how the voters are in Cooperstown 🙄

[@sasosaso3000]

Back then, I'm quite sure that Jordan wouldn't have imagine that Ichiro would have become one of the best hitters in the history of baseball

[@rustyford5511]

Understandable but Jordan is a bit of a dick. Best player in nba history but a dick. He's what LeBron hope he was

[@spmbele]

It's insane that Jordan has been retired for 15 years (20 years since his Bulls days) but Ichiro is still playing pro baseball.

[@ArJayDM]

Not anymore :(

[@RayfilWong]

Jordan has such charm. Ichiro is epic himself.

[@kourobou]

当時マイケルジョーダンが出ていた映画にTomとJellyが映っていたから、ファンとして敬意を表すためにこの服を選んだんでしょうね。

[@basark314]

Jerryね。Jellyだとゼリーみたいになる。

[@MyKungFuClips]

Anybody ever ask Jordan what it was like meeting 1 of the best hitters in the MLB history? lol

[@bizzy24100]

exactly and not 2 mention Ichiro's still going at it unbelievable !!!!!!

[@gabrieleriva651]

He is probably convinced to be himself the best hitter in MLB history.

[@pz4891]

Noone is asking him that question but they should

[@juicenot2481]

@MAN UTD thats because half the world cant afford AC, and running for hours a day is the only way you can get tired enough to fall sleep in these god forsaken countries. -Danny Tosh

[@highsbury14]

@M Jesus Christ dude who fucking cares about FOOTBALL (soccer, a yank, go figure) on a BASEBALL video?! Imbecile.

[@FreddyGomezThinksTooMuch]

This is great footage.Thank you.

[@cassidyjonson3741]

Wow ichiro looks sooo young and handsome! Two legends who will stand the test of time!!

[@nobuartchannel8664]

マイケル・ジョーダンが凄いのは当たり前の話として日本の番組の動画なのにこれだけ多くの英語圏の人が見て、コメントしているだけでイチローのすごさを感じる。

[@notphilivey]

Japan's Baseball Goat meets America's Basketball Goat. Little did Jordan know. Yet he treated him with respect and class. Kudos to MJ.

[@kevinwoodley7238]

THIS IS PRETTY KOOL ICHIRO WAS TRULY AWESTRUCK MEETING MJ.

[@allgoo1964]

Jordan had no idea who was this kid, he must have heard plenty of it later. I can pretty much guarantee Jordan didn't ask for Ichiro's autograph.

[@brianwilliams5662]

Well Jordan is a baseball fan just like us so yeah lol

[@isamuominae]

Probably Ichiro gave to him too, Japanese people have habit to exchange presents.

[@allgoo1990]

@@isamuominae "Probably...." == Talk only the fact, not your guess.

[@isamuominae]

@@allgoo1990 you pretty much guarantee in what dude? Show me evidences since you wasn't there. LMAO!!!

[@spenser6353]

@@isamuominaewhy would Jordan want an autograph from someone he didn’t even know who it was?

[@Anamer22]

This is, hands down, the best video on KZbin.

[@butthead2001sp]

引退した今、イチローとMJの対談を見てみたい

[@Sijan.G]

Yeah dawgg

[@jvi08na4]

Now, Michael would be surprised by Ichiro because he became a star in the U.S.

[@siberianwinds]

Awww Ichiro's so cute T_T

[@danieloceans9652]

Couple GOATs

[@thengyang5537]

I wonder what Ichiro got from the GOAT..?..Ichiro one of the best MLB player..Probably top 5 hitters of all time.

[@jijinekofunassyi]

イチローさん、まるで初恋をした少年の純情な顔になってましたね😁

[@user-pj7rm5kh9o]

Both of them GOAT. Basketball and Baseball!!

[@InspireMe819]

Someone send this to Michael Jordan.

[@lrboyd2o11]

This is great! I can't get over how young Ichiro looks in this. I know it was 18 years ago but still.

[@domingohenriquez1641]

Tanto Jordan como ichiro dos maravillosas personas

[@6Texasboi]

This is awesome ! ! ! Ichiro is the man ! ! and MJ classic !

[@jamesroche4393]

Man no way I would have thought this kid would one of the GOATS if watching this in 95 lol

[@jonathan083]

Lucky guy. Imagine meeting a legend like that. jordan should thank all the stars for the chance of meeting the legendary Ichiro.

[@bledzone231]

Nope, Ichiro was lucky 🍀. Not Jordan..

[@user-cy2nx8nf6w]

@@bledzone231 yu shoud learn irony

[@inhokim6335]

lol 22y old ichiro

[@andycpanda]

Amazing a Hall of Fame Basketball Player in Jordan meeting a Future Hall of Fame Baseball Player in Ichiro Suzuki at age 22 I wonder if Jordan ever watched Ichiro’s climb to success in the Majors

[@tylerr3740]

This is the greatest video ever uploaded to this site.

[@docksquad33]

hah this is awesome! loved Ichiro's tom and jerry sweater too..classic!

[@bluto312]

a future hall of famer and 3000 hit player is stoked to meet the man. how cool is this shit?

[@tony_anello]

Ichiro meeting prime MJ is so fucking cool lmao

[@jiachen1274]

Legends!

[@elmaenoausente]

If Ichiro had began his MLB career 4-5 years earlier, Pete Rose record as the all time hits leader should be really, really compromise

[@user-mh1st9gx9m]

このシーンリアルタイムで見てました。私もジョーダンのファンで当時話題になってたイチローが会いに行くんだと興味津々で見てました。 確か2人で話したことはなんですか？とかの問いにイチローが「スーパースターになるための条件とか」そんな事だった記憶があります。 それからMLBに行ったわけですがここをきっかけに明らかにイチローのキャラというか姿勢が変わったと当時すごく思いました。 話す時の対応とか物腰。笑顔は極端に少なくなりました。 あれから本当に世界のイチローになって本当にすごいですよね。

[@funkyflights]

Mike didn’t realize how good of a hitter he was… :)

[@gabos7892]

2 GOATS

[@bballmemories]

after what Ichiro has accomplished in 13 years, MVP, ROY, AS MVP, most hits in a single season breaking an 80 year record, 10+ 200 hits season, MJ probably wouldn't mind getting a souvenir or two from Ichiro. MJ was very classy and Ichiro was just awestruck meeting MJ.It's funny moment when MJ mentioned the great Hideo Nomo and Ichiro mentioned that he already hit home runs off him.

[@rustyford5511]

First ballot

[@KINGKJ2REAL]

I want that fucking sweater

[@NmberOneNetsFan]

KINGKJ2REAL yes me too

[@ArJayDM]

Japan makes anything feel like an anime, lol. I got vibes that Ichiro was the anime protagonist who would defeat Jordan in the finals from this video.

[@dankool688]

MJ now saying damn was that the kid I met who's become one of the greatest mlb hitter's of all times.

[@cjarce]

U are very lucky to meet him, it's one of my dreams!

[@cjarce]

My idol MJ

[@lamarbrown619]

That’s 2 Hall of Famers meeting one another that’s Dope✅🏆

[@user-df5dh4xo5f]

ichiro hit homerun from nomo when he is 18 year old.

[@aizen2591]

Wow amazing 🐐🐐

[@iamteamyou]

AWESOME!!!!

[@SAGA5505]

トムとジェリー グリフィーと会った時のやつと色違いで笑った。どんだけ好きやねん笑

[@natalie651]

Michael is a God.

[@camparicider]

210 hits was the most hits in japanease league history at the time...

[@johannwilder1437]

Ichiro went on to break the American single season hit record held for over 80 years.

[@kotasaito7217]

There were only 130 games in Japanese league at this time

[@meg-k-waldren]

Not an MLB fan but you certainly have lived the life when you meet MJ before starting your own career.

[@ubb4me]

Not a big Jordan fan but he showed a lot of class and spent time to make Ichiro comfortable.

[@Dingosean]

At this moment, Ichiro culd have switched sports become a point guard to play with Michael Jordan lol What's amazing is he probably could have...

[@user-hb5hs1zl3l]

イチロー22歳なのにやっぱり中身しっかりしてるね。

[@jonalynpementel9179]

Elw! Sir Michael Jordan, 👊👊👊👊👊👊❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝👍👍👍👍👍👍🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@robertochapa9735]

Watching this reminds me of how many great players never won a WS.

[@novrinkov0053]

He said he would make Jordan's autograph an heirloom.

[@Akklaim1]

Lol @ the Tom and Jerry sweater.

[@newarknation6841]

I had no idea the United Center was a fallout shelter.

[@TigerShark_With_thigh_in_mouth]

I’d pay 50 million, maybe even 100 million dollars for that autograph from Michael Jordan written out to a 22 year old ichiro

[@idansolon4715]

Mike's the only player working out before the game? That's how you become great.

[@carlsmith9256]

Idan Solon many players do that lol

[@bevrosity]

bill wettington was there

[@robertwilliams817]

Tom and Jerry sweater omg 😝

[@westcoastkidd17]

Damn Ichiro was a baby here

[@TMA339]

2 class acts

[@iluvrei]

this is nice! what a cute japanese looking guy! and of course, mj as usual charming!

[@ggwaa4166]

mj ichiro 1995

[@Mm-br8vp]

Mj so down to earth

[@johnnycage435]

Jordan is a baseball fan pretty sure he knew of Ichiro

[@tallmunchkin868]

johnnycage435 In ‘95? No way.

[@James-nf7qs]

He didn't even know what position he played and asked if he was a pitcher.

[@Wis_Dom]

Not too many Americans knew of Ichiro in 95.

[@isamuominae]

He didn't at the time. NPB wasn't famous in US, basically only Japanese people knew Ichiro.

[@PInk77W1]

Super cool.

[@jratunh21]

Jordan's voice sounds like Kobe. Weird! all in all, Jordan is definitely a G.O.A.T!!!!! Respect!

[@user-cp3ip3rw7r]

and Ichiro grew up Kobe City, Japan. Kobe briant's father named him from Kobe Beef from Japan ^^

[@avoskorms]

the mj of baseball

[@angrut]

I'm very excited to meet you, "oh really?" lmao

[@antibiotictab]

Oh, I remember this TV program broadcast about 17 years ago. Ichiro Suzuki was a baseball player in Japan at that time.

[@mjai3]

I think he learned, what professional is from MJ. He seems he felt various things at last scene:)

[@returningwhisper]

This is 90s as fuck.

[@user-rs8xz7wq5g]

トムとジェリーwwwwww

[@ccho907]

Jordan forgot about this meeting and never even knew he met ichiro

[@ricardotuibeo1445]

I just noticed ,everyone's Mj met become a legend

[@user-yo1zm7jo4h]

すごいツーショットだなー

[@kawayama7958]

この時何を話していたか、二人の対談で今聞きたい❤️

[@DougieFresh13]

they are both ninjas

[@brodemonz]

thats pretty cool,

[@MasterEggroll]

He’s tall. Crazy vid knowing what he did in baseball. Now you can see why. He watched jordan haha

[@Dimaggio369]

Can you post the one from this same series of Ichiro meeting Griffey? He seemed even more excited to meet him.

[@drbryant23]

6:27. whoa I want THAT.

[@gooderlinsen]

I can't tell who should be idolizing whom

[@uab10]

i like the tom and jerry sweater

[@Nickharrisjapan]

yes

[@burningknuckle26]

ichoro got good taste in shoes. carmine 6's

[@RO5CO3dude]

MJ wishes he had an MLB career like Ichiro. i wonder if MJ remembers meeting ichiro

[@clayman4689]

Ejik Lumbres ofcourse MJ love baseball and ichiro is one of the famous MLB player

[@snowysushi643]

Fino10 it would’ve been but mj only made it to the minor leagues, not the mlb lol, still an amazing basketball player though

[@subswithoutvids-dw6dv]

they are both god like people to me