Mariners Retire Ichiro’s Jersey, Announce 2026 Statue

The Seattle Mariners honored Ichiro Suzuki with a ceremony at T-Mobile Park, retiring his No. 51 jersey and announcing plans to unveil a statue of him in 2026. Ichiro was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025 and became the fourth Mariners player to have his number retired, joining Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, and Jackie Robinson. The event celebrated his barrier-breaking career as the first Japanese-born position player in MLB, his Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season, his single-season hit record of 262, and a total of 4,367 professional hits across Japan and the U.S. Fans, teammates, and city officials reflected on his influence and legacy, with Seattle's mayor proclaiming August 9 as 'Ichiro Day.' The Mariners also playfully acknowledged the one Hall of Fame voter who did not support Ichiro's induction. Ichiro remains involved with the team as a Special Assistant, continuing to inspire future generations.