Seattle Mariners former outfielder Ichiro Suzuki walks back to the dugout following batting practice against the Athletics. Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Watch: Ichiro opens Mariners season with incredible first pitch

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Mar 27, 2025 10:55 PM ET

The Seattle Mariners kicked off their 2025 season by bringing out one of the franchise's greatest players, Ichiro Suzuki, and letting him throw out the ceremonial first pitch. It might be the best ceremonial first pitch that happens in baseball this season.

Not only did the 51-year-old Ichiro come out in a full Mariners uniform, he also walked out to the pitcher's rubber, went into a full wind-up, and delivered an 84 mph fastball.

Ichiro Suzuki throws this first pitch the only way he knows how:

84 MPH on the radar, and in FULL uniform! #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/kcxNNJx6L4
— MLB (@MLB) March 28, 2025

He was always known for having a strong arm in right field, and he very clearly still has it.

Ichiro spent 14 of his 19 seasons with the Mariners and was a superstar from the day he arrived. He finished his Major League career with 3,089 hits and won 10 Gold Gloves.

Before he retired he did get to pitch in one game as a member of the Miami Marlins, allowing one run in one inning work during the 2015 season.

Ichiro was elected to the Hall of Fame this year and just missed being only the second unanimous selection (Mariano Rivera) by one vote.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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