Ichiro’s storybook baseball career came to a similarly fitting ending, as he played two more games for the Seattle Mariners before he was removed from the field in his native Japan during the team’s opening pair of contests against the Oakland A’s in Tokyo.
What a moment it was, and it’s one that will be remembered more than his final at-bat, a weak groundout that reminds us that not every at-bat can produce magic.
Here at the best moments from his farewell on Thursday that had the baseball world sending tributes to the legendary outfielder with one incredible professional career:
1. Yusei Kikuchi cried
2. So did Dee Gordon
They also had this great moment:
3. Ken Griffey Jr. and he shared a hug
Two of the game’s greatest players and ex-Mariners in the same embrace.
4. He got to hear these thunderous cheers
That gave me chills.
5. He got to take a victory lap
With photographers working hard to get that perfect snap. Here’s more:
