Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson (6) smiles in the dugout before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in 2025. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners Manager Delivers Epic Quote During Ichiro's Ceremony

Originally posted on Seattle Mariners on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 10:01 PM ET

Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki had his number 51 retired by the organization on Saturday night in a special pregame ceremony at T-Mobile Park.

Ichiro, who was just inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., is the third M's player to have his number retired, joining Ken Griffey Jr. (24) and Edgar Martinez (11). Jackie Robinson (42) has his number retired by every major league team.

"I also am damn proud to be a Seattle Mariner." #IchiroHOF pic.twitter.com/kxwjJbYzUZ
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 10, 2025

Mariners dignitaries, both past and present, attended the ceremony, including M's Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr., Alvin Davis, Edgar Martinez, Felix Hernandez, Jay Buhner, Randy Johnson and Marilyn Niehaus (wife of late broadcaster Dave Niehaus).

Furthermore, M's Hall of Famer Dan Wilson, who is now the manager of the team, took to the microphone, praising Ichiro's dedication and work ethic.

He also delivered one of the moments of the night when he said this current group of Mariners "expects to go deep into the fall."

"We expect to go deep into the fall." - Dan Wilson

Fire me up, skip.#TridentsUp
— Brady Farkas (@RefuseToLosePod) August 10, 2025

The Mariners enter play on Saturday at 64-53 and just one game back of the Houston Astros in the American League West. Seattle hasn't won the division since 2001 and is the only franchise to never play in a World Series.

Wilson played with Ichiro from 2001-2005, being part of the 2001 team that won an American League record 116 games. He was also there when Ichiro broke the single-season hits record in 2004 with 262.

Seattle will play the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night before finishing out the series on Sunday afternoon.

They'll be off on Monday before playing the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.

This article first appeared on Seattle Mariners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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