The game between the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees on Monday night was indicative in how far the Mariners have fallen. The game was just as indicative of how far Ichiro Suzuki has fallen. The former Japanese star has played in all but two of the Mariners' 102 games after playing in every single game last year. And while last year showed some slippage in the hitting machine that is Ichiro, this year's version isn't even close. At the age of 37, is this the curtain call?
Watching the game last night, the erect and proud frame of Ichiro is still evident. After he struck out in the first inning, there was still a carriage in his frame as he walked deliberately back to the dugout. But there is no longer the zip in his step or the hop in his play. His grace in the outfield is missing as he plods after balls in the corner and there is no longer the rifle display when he throws the ball back into the infield.
Watching Ichiro, one gets the idea of how a samurai carried ...
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