Mariners’ Ichiro Suzuki, 45, Retiring After Thursday’s Game In Tokyo [VIDEO]

Ichiro Suzuki has told the Seattle Mariners he will retire after Thursday’s game in Tokyo.

Sources confirmed the news of Suzuki’s departure to ESPN.

BREAKING: Ichiro Suzuki has told the Mariners he will retire after today’s game. (First reported by Kyodo news, confirmed by ESPN) pic.twitter.com/Bqpon5Hfyc

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 21, 2019

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Ichiro Retiring At 45 After 28 Seasons

It has been a wonderful career for 45-year-old Japanese-born outfielder Suzuki, who walked off the field for the final time on Thursday.

“He is a legend in Japan”

Baseball “god” Ichiro Suzuki received an unforgettable reception on his return to Tokyo.

? https://t.co/CSo3dFzGQA pic.twitter.com/64BLI2Y7nH

— CNN Sport (@cnnsport) March 20, 2019

With the game being held in Tokyo the home of Suzki he received a tremendous reception and ovation from players and fans alike. One of his teammates had grew up admiring him his whole life, and had finally got the chance to play with him and broke out in tears during his goodbye.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Yusei Kikuchi crying over Ichiro’s retirement is all of us https://t.co/EXVNm9ccti

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 21, 2019

It would seem that the baseball world was sad today as another legend has left the mound.

Suzuki, known by many as simply “Ichiro,” is a 10-time MLB All-Star.

Ichiro Suzuki will start for the @Mariners against the A’s in Tokyo at the age of 45. Read this and then set your alarm.https://t.co/MayOEbwUXx

— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) March 19, 2019

After playing baseball for 28 seasons — 19 seasons in the MLB and 9 seasons in Japan — Suzuki will now have much more free time on his hands.

After the game, Suzuki took the time to instill some words of wisdom to the fans, and encouraged young people to follow their dreams. Suzuki also played for the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins.

“Pursue what you love and find your passion,” Suzuki told fans in Tokyo.

Retiring after 28 seasons of professional baseball, Ichiro Suzuki urged young people to “pursue what you love and find your passion” pic.twitter.com/MNaEKw7SGo

— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) March 21, 2019

Click here for the In Memoriam: Sports Figures Who Died In 2018 Slideshow