Ichiro trade stunned his new team
Fans filled the stands of Safeco Field to watch the Ichiro Suzuki-led Seattle Mariners clash with the New York Yankees. But on July 23, 2012, Ichiro didn’t feature his northwest green jersey; instead, the future Hall of Famer donned the away Yankees’ grays.
Mere hours before the first pitch of a three-game series, the teams finalized the blockbuster trade. New York dealt pitching prospects D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar to Seattle for Ichiro and cash considerations.
Ichiro acknowledged in a post-trade press conference that the Mariners, last in the American League West, were no longer his ideal organization as he didn’t want to be a part of a rebuilding franchise. Seattle honored his request and dealt him to the World Series contenders.
“When I spent time during the All-Star break to think, I realized that this team has many players in their early 20s,” Ichiro said through an interpreter at the press conference. “I began to think I should not be on this team next year. I also feel a desire to be in an atmosphere that I could have a different kind of stimulation than I have now.”
As the Mariners’ all-time hits leader, Ichiro leaving his first MLB organization was nearly unfathomable.
“It’s hard for me to concisely express my feelings,” Ichiro said. “When I imagined taking off the Mariner uniform, I was overcome with sadness. It has made this a very difficult decision to make.”
However, getting traded to a first-place team made the trade a bit easier for Ichiro to accept.
“I’m going from a team having the most losses to a team with the most wins, so it’s been hard to maintain my excitement in that regard,” he said.
As Ichiro switched from the home clubhouse to the visitors clubhouse, Yankees players were bewildered at his arrival.
“It’s been unexpected, sort of out of the blue,” New York shortstop Derek Jeter said. “That’s why you don’t ever listen to rumors. Getting someone like this is unbelievable.”
The Yankees needed outfield depth after everyday left fielder Brett Gardner underwent right elbow surgery, and Ichiro filled the bill.
Though Ichiro had played much of his professional career in right field, he was comfortable shifting to left.
“I haven’t played left for a long time, to be honest with you, but the last time I played left was a playoff game – my first playoff game in Yankee Stadium (the final game of the 2001 ALCS on Oct. 22, 2001), so it’s a very memorable position for me for that reason,” he said.
That Monday, Ichiro prepared not only for his first game in a Yankees’ uniform and his first in a different position in a long time, but it also marked the first time in America that he hit outside of the top three spots in the batting lineup (he batted eighth that day).
Ichiro’s first at-bat came in the top of the third inning and was welcomed by fans at Safeco Field. The Mariners faithful gave him a 45-second standing ovation to celebrate his Seattle tenure. Ichiro removed his helmet and bowed twice to the crowd before he singled and stole second base.
New York made the playoffs that season, but the Yankees were swept in the American League Championship Series by the Detroit Tigers. In 67 games in New York, Ichiro finished with a vintage .322 batting average and 73 hits. He added 11 hits in the postseason.
“Looking at how the Yankees are doing right now, I just want to do whatever I can to be helpful to the Yankees,” Ichiro said.
Noah Douglas is the 2025 communications intern in the Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Leadership Development
