SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle Mariners Chairman and Managing Partner John Stanton, on behalf of the Mariners organization and partners, announced today that the club will retire the iconic jersey number 51 in honor of Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki. The number 51 will be retired in a pre-game ceremony at T-Mobile Park on Saturday, August 9. Ichiro will join fellow Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. (#24) and Edgar Martinez (#11), along with Jackie Robinson (#42), as the only players to have their uniform number retired by the Mariners.
“For nearly a quarter of a century, Ichiro has been an integral part of the Seattle Mariners organization,” Stanton said. “And today’s announcement will assure that his number will be proudly displayed in T-Mobile Park forever as he aptly joins Ken and Edgar as Mariners in the Hall of Fame.
“Ichiro was a trailblazer when he arrived in 2001 and ushered in a new era for international players with his impact, and he demonstrated daily his love of the game, and the skill, passion and preparation that only the truly great have over his playing career,” Stanton continued. “And Ichiro has continued to have an impactful role, both on and off the field, with our club since his retirement five years ago.
“He is most deserving of the ultimate honor the Mariners franchise can bestow.”
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced earlier today that Ichiro was elected to the Hall on his first ballot, receiving 99.7% of the vote on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America balloting.
Ichiro is set to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on July 27.
Ichiro will be celebrated at T-Mobile Park as part of “Ichiro Hall of Fame Weekend” from Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10 in a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
More details on “Ichiro Hall of Fame Weekend” and the jersey retirement ceremony at T-Mobile Park will be announced tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Details on Ichiro’s Hall of Fame career, his Induction in Cooperstown and all celebrations surrounding his election will be updated throughout the year on MARINERS.COM/ICHIRO.
