Editing Ichiro Suzuki (section)

==Professional career==
===Orix BlueWave (1992–2000)===
Suzuki made his NPB [[Pacific League]] debut in 1992 for the [[Orix Buffaloes|Orix BlueWave]] at the age of 18, but he spent most of his first two seasons in the [[farm system]] (accumulating 156 minor league hits and a .368 batting average)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=1467 |title=Ichiro Suzuki - Player Card |website=thebaseballcube.com |access-date=21 July 2021 }}</ref> because his then-[[Manager (baseball)|manager]], [[Shōzō Doi]], refused to accept Suzuki's unorthodox swing. The swing was nicknamed {{Nihongo|'pendulum'|振り子打法|Furiko Dahō}} because of the [[pendulum]]-like motion of his leg, which shifts his weight forward as he swings the bat, and goes against conventional hitting theory. In his second career game, he recorded his first ''ichi-gun'' (Japan's [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] League) hit in the Pacific League against [[Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks|Fukuoka Daiei Hawks]] pitcher Keiji Kimura.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Curry|first1=Jack|title=How Ichiro's 3,000th Hit Was Covered in Japan|url=https://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/how-ichiros-3000th-hit-was-covered-in-japan/?_r=0|access-date=17 January 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=30 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035841/https://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/how-ichiros-3000th-hit-was-covered-in-japan/?_r=0|archive-date=2 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite hitting a home run in 1993 against [[Hideo Nomo]], who later won the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year Award]], Suzuki was nevertheless sent back to the farm system on that very day. In 1994, he benefited from the arrival of a new manager, [[Akira Ohgi|Akira Ōgi]], who played him every day in the second spot of the lineup. He was eventually moved to the leadoff spot, where his immediate productivity dissolved any misgivings about his unconventional swing. He set a Japanese single-season record with 210 hits, the first player ever to top 200 hits in a single season. Five other players have since done so: [[Matt Murton]], [[Nori Aoki|Norichika Aoki]] (twice), [[Alex Ramírez]], [[Tsuyoshi Nishioka]], and [[Shogo Akiyama]].

Suzuki's .385 batting average in 1994 was a Pacific League record and won the young outfielder the first of a record seven consecutive batting titles. Suzuki also hit 13 [[home run]]s and had 29 [[stolen base]]s, helping him to earn his first of three straight Pacific League MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ichiro Suzuki Japanese Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=suzuki001ich |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> It was during the 1994 season that he began to use his given name, "Ichiro," instead of his [[family name]], "Suzuki," on the back of his uniform. Suzuki is the second-most-common family name in Japan, and his manager introduced the idea as a publicity move to help create a new image for what had been a relatively weak team, as well as a way to distinguish their rising star. Initially, Suzuki disliked the practice and was embarrassed by it; however, "Ichiro" was a household name by the end of the season, and he was flooded with endorsement offers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=イチロー、鈴木一朗からの改名でアノ元同僚が"意外な役割"果たしていた！？|url=https://www.asagei.com/175553|access-date=2021-05-31|website=アサ芸プラス|language=ja}}</ref>

In 1995, Suzuki led the Blue Wave to its first Pacific League pennant in 12 years. In addition to his second batting title, he led the league with 80 RBI and 49 stolen bases, while his career-high 25 home runs were third in the league. By this time, the Japanese press had begun calling him the {{Nihongo|"Hit Manufacturing Machine"|安打製造機|Anda Seizōki}}. The following year, with Suzuki winning his third-straight MVP award, the team defeated the Central League champion, [[Yomiuri Giants]], in the Japan Series. Following the 1996 season, playing in an exhibition series against a visiting team of Major League All-Stars kindled Suzuki's desire to travel to the United States to play in the [[MLB|Major Leagues]].

In November 1998, Suzuki participated in a seven-game exhibition series between Japanese and American all-stars. Suzuki batted .380 and collected seven stolen bases in the series, winning praise from several of his MLB counterparts, including [[Sammy Sosa]] and [[Jamie Moyer]], who would become his teammate with the Mariners.

In 2000, Suzuki was still a year away from being eligible for free agency, but the Blue Wave was no longer among Japan's best teams. Because the team would probably not be able to afford to keep him and would lose him without compensation in another year, Orix allowed him to negotiate with Major League clubs. Suzuki used the [[posting system]], and the Seattle Mariners won the right to negotiate with him with a bid of approximately $13&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://money.cnn.com/2002/01/22/news/column_sportsbiz/ | title=The latest Japanese import | publisher=CNN | last=Isidore | first=Chris | date=22 January 2002 | access-date=23 August 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304131934/http://money.cnn.com/2002/01/22/news/column_sportsbiz/ | archive-date=4 March 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref> In November, Suzuki signed a three-year, $14&nbsp;million contract with the Seattle Mariners. In his nine NPB seasons in Japan, Suzuki had 1,278 hits, a .353 career batting average, and won seven [[Mitsui Golden Glove Award|Golden Glove Award]]s. Suzuki's time in the Japanese baseball leagues matured him as a player and a person, and he often credits it for his success.

===Seattle Mariners (2001–2012)===
====2001: Rookie of the Year and AL MVP====
[[File:Ichiro at defence.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Suzuki in July 2001]]
Due to an agreement between Japanese baseball and the [[MLB]], Suzuki was not allowed to play in the United States before 2001.<ref name=waldstein_10032015/> His move to the United States was viewed with some interest because he was among the first Japanese position players to play for an MLB team. In the same way that many Japanese teams had considered the 18-year-old Suzuki too small to draft in 1992, many Americans believed he would prove too frail to succeed against Major League pitching or endure the longer 162-game season. Suzuki made an auspicious debut with Seattle, and in the Mariners' eighth game revealed his tremendous throwing arm by gunning down [[Oakland Athletics|Oakland's]] [[Terrence Long]], who had tried to advance from first to third on a teammate's single to right field. That play would be dubbed "The Throw" by Japanese media covering Suzuki's progress.<ref>{{cite news|title=The legend of Ichiro and 'The Throw' |url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?sp20010418mk.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070519010856/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?sp20010418mk.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 May 2007 |first=Marty |last=Kuehnert |work=The Japan Times Online |date=18 April 2001 |access-date=11 July 2007 }}</ref>

After expressing no preference as to a uniform number, Suzuki was issued #51 by the Mariners, which was his number when he played in Japan. He was initially hesitant because it had previously been worn by pitching star [[Randy Johnson]]. To avoid insulting Johnson, Suzuki sent a personal message to the pitcher promising not to "bring shame" to the uniform.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.simplethingcalledlife.com/stcl/ichiro-suzuki-randy-johnson-meaning-respect/ |title=Ichiro Suzuki and Randy Johnson: The Meaning of Respect |website=Simple Thing Called Life |access-date=30 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330211221/http://www.simplethingcalledlife.com/stcl/ichiro-suzuki-randy-johnson-meaning-respect/ |archive-date=30 March 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His trepidation was unfounded, as he had a remarkable 2001 season, accumulating a rookie-record 242 hits, breaking [[Lloyd Waner|Lloyd Waner’s]] rookie record of 223 hits dating back to 1927, and the most hits by any MLB player since 1930. His perennial Gold Glove fielding led Safeco's right field to be dubbed "[[Area 51]]." With a .350 batting average and 56 stolen bases, Suzuki was the first player to lead his league in both categories since [[Jackie Robinson]] in 1949. The season included hitting streaks of 25 and 23 games, an appearance on the cover of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', and intense media attention on both sides of the Pacific.<ref>{{Cite web |title=May 28, 2001 Cover|url=http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/2001/0528_large.jpg  |publisher=Sports Illustrated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014004509/http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/2001/0528_large.jpg|archive-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> Fans from Japan were taking $2,000 baseball tours, sometimes flying in and out of the U.S. just to watch Suzuki's games. More than 150 Japanese reporters and photographers were given media access. [[Safeco Field]]'s sushi stands began selling "Ichirolls", a [[spicy tuna roll]] served with [[wasabi]] and ginger.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/01play/2001-10-18-alcs-notebook.htm|title=ALCS notebook: Sincere in Seattle|last=Borelli|first=Stephen|date=18 January 2002|work=USA Today|access-date=23 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211202430/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/01play/2001-10-18-alcs-notebook.htm|archive-date=11 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

Aided by Major League Baseball's decision to allow All-Star voting in Japan, Suzuki was the first rookie to lead all players in voting for the [[2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]]. That winter, he won the [[American League]] [[MLB Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] and the [[MLB Rookie of the Year award|Rookie of the Year]] awards, becoming only the second player in MLB history (after [[Fred Lynn]]) to receive both honors in the same season. Suzuki is also the only player in MLB history to win an MVP, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove Award, and [[Silver Slugger Award]] and start in the All-Star Game in the same season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lucas |first=Ed |date=July 7, 2016 |title=All-Star snub Ichiro Suzuki still an all-time great - Lucas |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2016/07/all-star_snub_ichiro_suzuki_still_an_all-time_grea.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906230334/http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2016/07/all-star_snub_ichiro_suzuki_still_an_all-time_grea.html |archive-date=6 September 2017 |access-date=20 April 2017 |website=NJ.com |agency=Jersey Journal}}</ref>

2001 had been an exceptionally successful regular season for the Mariners, as they matched the [[1906 Chicago Cubs season|1906 Chicago Cubs]]' Major League record of 116 wins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_gam3.shtml|title=Games Won Records by Baseball Almanac|work=baseball-almanac.com|access-date=6 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008055423/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_gam3.shtml|archive-date=8 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In his only postseason appearance with the Mariners, Suzuki continued his hot hitting, batting .600 in the [[2001 American League Division Series|ALDS]] against the [[Cleveland Indians]]. However, on Suzuki's 28th birthday, Seattle's stellar season ended against the [[New York Yankees]] in the [[2001 American League Championship Series|ALCS]], as Suzuki was held to a .222 average during the series. Yankees manager [[Joe Torre]] had emphasized to his pitchers, "Do not let Ichiro beat you. He is the key to Seattle's offense." Informed of this assessment, Suzuki said, "If that is true, it would give me great joy. I don't believe he is right."<ref name="baseball-almanac.com"/>

====2002====
[[File:Ichiro.jpg|thumb|upright|Suzuki in right field in 2002]]
Suzuki finished his second year in American baseball with 208 total hits, making him the first Mariners player ever with two consecutive seasons of at least 200 hits. He was the fifth player in MLB history to start a career with two 200-hit seasons. He got off to a hot start, but a late-season slump drove his batting average down to .321, 29 points below his batting average as a rookie. Suzuki finished the season second in the AL in hits, fourth in batting average, and fourth in steals. Suzuki led [[2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] balloting for the second straight year. Although the Mariners had a [[2002 Seattle Mariners season|93–69]] record, that was good for only a third-place finish in the competitive [[AL West]].

====2003====
In 2003, Suzuki became just the third player in history to begin his career with three 200-hit seasons,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=#51=3000 ICHIRO SUZUKI - Road to 3,000 -：The Asahi Shimbun Digital |url=https://www.asahi.com/special/ichiro/3000/en/#:~:text=Became%20the%20third%20player%20to%20begin%20MLB%20career,to%20reach%20his%202000th%20hit%20in%20NPB%20history.?msockid=2f95ed8e8df76845367df8e28c3169ff |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=The Asahi Shimbun Digital |language=en}}</ref> by garnering 212. He again finished in the top 10 in the AL in hits, batting average, steals, and runs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 American League Batting Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2003-batting-leaders.shtml |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Again, a late-season slump brought his average down by 42 points from mid-July to .312.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ichiro Suzuki 2003 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=suzukic01&t=b&year=2003 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Suzuki was elected to his third All-Star game, and he was again the vote leader in both leagues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 All-Star Game |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/asgbox/yr2003as.shtml |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Baseball Almanac}}</ref> However, the second-place Mariners again fell short of the playoffs. Following the season, Suzuki signed a 4-year, $44 million contract that kept him with the Mariners through 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=BASEBALL; Suzuki and Kennedy Get Multiyear Contracts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/19/sports/baseball-suzuki-and-kennedy-get-multiyear-contracts.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=19 December 2003 |access-date=May 14, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ichiro agrees to four-year deal with Mariners |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story?id=1689397&src=desktop |website=[[ESPN.com]] | date=19 December 2003 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

====2004: Single season hit record====
[[File:Ichiro display.JPG|thumb|upright|left|The display of Ichiro Suzuki, located on the third floor of the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum]], which shows the ''Ichi-meter'', record for hits in a season for Ichiro Suzuki in 2004.]] Suzuki had his best offensive season in 2004, highlighted by his breaking of [[George Sisler]]'s 84-year-old record for most hits (257) in a season. An increase in games played benefited Suzuki, as he accumulated only 251 hits through the first 154 games of the season. Suzuki recorded 50 hits in four different months of the year (September and October are combined by MLB for this computational purpose), becoming the first player ever to have four in a season. With 51 hits in August 2001, Suzuki joined [[Pete Rose]] as the only players with four 50-hit months in a career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peebles |first=Laura |title=October 1, 2004: Ichiro Suzuki breaks George Sisler's single-season record with 258th hit – Society for American Baseball Research |url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-1-2004-ichiro-suzuki-breaks-george-sislers-single-season-record-with-258th-hit/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 21 May, Suzuki recorded his 2,000th professional hit. His 200th hit of 2004 came in just his 126th game. By the end of September, with one three-game series remaining, Suzuki's hit total stood at 256—one shy of Sisler. Suzuki singled off the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Rangers]]' [[Ryan Drese]] on 1 October to tie Sisler's record. In the third inning, on a 3–2 count, Suzuki singled up the middle for his 258th hit of the year, which Suzuki later called "the greatest moment of my baseball career."<ref>[http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/LjZhr0epOcI/ Ichiro's 258th hit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709113007/http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/LjZhr0epOcI |date=9 July 2009 }}, tudou.com</ref><ref name="Ichiro honored at Safeco">{{cite web| title=ichiro honored at Safeco| url=http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050422&content_id=1025543&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea| publisher=Seattle Mariners| date=22 April 2005| access-date=30 May 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207205359/http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050422&content_id=1025543&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea| archive-date=7 December 2008}}</ref> He was greeted by a swarm of teammates, and a standing ovation from the fans. Sisler's daughter Frances Sisler Drochelman attended the game and was greeted by Suzuki after his hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sports/2002052125_ichiroheads02.html|title=The Seattle Times: Sports: HITS-TORY! Ichiro breaks Sisler's record|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806230636/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sports/2002052125_ichiroheads02.html|archive-date=6 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Suzuki finished the 2004 season with a record of 262 hits, giving him the single-season records for both the United States<ref name =seattletimes2>{{cite web|url=http://projects.seattletimes.com/2016/sports/ichiro-top-9-moments/|title=Ichiro's most memorable moments with the Mariners|access-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207031926/http://projects.seattletimes.com/2016/sports/ichiro-top-9-moments/|archive-date=7 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Japanese baseball.

In July 2009, while in St. Louis for his ninth All-Star appearance, Suzuki made a trip to Sisler's grave. He later told reporters, "There's not many chances to come to St. Louis. In 2004, it was the first time I crossed paths with him, and his family generously came all the way to Seattle. Above all, it was a chance. I wanted to do that for a grand upperclassman of the baseball world. I think it's only natural for someone to want to do that, to express my feelings in that way. I'm not sure if he's happy about it."<ref>[https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4329684 Ichiro visits Sisler's grave], ESPN.com, 15 July 2009</ref>

From 2001 to 2004, Suzuki had more hits (924) than anyone in history over any four-year period, breaking the record of 918 that [[Bill Terry]] accumulated from 1929 to 1932; Terry, however, played in 34 fewer games than Suzuki during their respective four-year spans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/10/01/bc.bba.suzuki.hitsrecor.ap/index.html |title=Ichiro breaks single-season hits record |author=Unknown |agency=Associated Press |date=1 October 2004 |access-date=7 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511164925/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/10/01/bc.bba.suzuki.hitsrecor.ap/index.html |archive-date=11 May 2008 }}</ref> He would later surpass his own mark by recording 930 hits from 2004 to 2007. During one 56-game stretch in 2004, Suzuki batted over .450. By comparison, [[Joe DiMaggio]] batted .408 during his [[Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak|record 56-game hitting streak]]. Suzuki batted over .400 against left-handed pitching in 2004.

====2005====
During the off-season, then-manager [[Bob Melvin]]'s contract was not extended and the Mariners brought in [[Mike Hargrove]] as the new manager with a contract through 2007. It was Hargrove who had predicted that Suzuki would be no better than "a fourth outfielder on [an American] major league team" back when Suzuki was still in Japan.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/20/sports/20iht-base.t_9.html | title=Taken by Sosa, Japanese Star Dreams of Playing in U.S. | work=International Herald Tribune | last=Noonan | first=Tim | date=20 November 1998 | access-date=23 August 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307232747/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/20/sports/20iht-base.t_9.html | archive-date=7 March 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> Speculation started that Hargrove and Suzuki did not get along very well in the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/10091 |title=Did Hargrove, Ichiro not get along? |publisher=FanNation |access-date=31 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705000744/http://fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/10091 |archive-date=5 July 2007 }}</ref>

In 2005, Suzuki had his second worst year in his MLB career to date, collecting only 206 hits, the lowest total of his career to that point. However, he reached the plateau of a .300 batting average, 100+ runs, 30+ steals, and 200+ hits for the fifth straight season. That allowed Suzuki to become the first player to collect 200 hits per season in each of his first five years in the major leagues. Only [[Willie Keeler]], [[Wade Boggs]], [[Chuck Klein]], [[Al Simmons]], and [[Charlie Gehringer]] had five consecutive 200-hit seasons at any point in their careers. During the season, he accumulated 1,000 career hits, reaching the career milestone faster than any player in MLB history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2417408|title=Pujols ties Helton for second fastest to 1,000 hits|date=21 April 2006|agency=AP|work=ESPN.com|access-date=17 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810054941/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2417408|archive-date=10 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Suzuki hit a career-high 15 home runs. In the off-season, 

Suzuki played himself in ''[[Furuhata Ninzaburō]]'', a Japanese ''[[Columbo (TV series)|Columbo]]''-like TV drama that he loves. In the drama, he kills a person and is arrested.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-10 |title=古畑任三郎、異色の犯人イチロー 三谷幸喜が驚いた質問：朝日新聞 |trans-title=Renzaburo Furuhata, a question that surprised Koki Mitani of the unusual criminal Ichiro |url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASN595RSNN58UPQJ00C.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=朝日新聞 |language=ja}}</ref>

====2006====
[[File:Ichiro on base.JPG|alt=|thumb|Suzuki in 2006]]
Suzuki's 2006 season got off to a disappointing start, with the outfielder hitting as low as .177 in the season's third week. He quickly rebounded, finishing the season with a .322 average (sixth in the AL and 11th in the majors). Suzuki's 224 hits led the majors, and he recorded 110 runs and 45 stolen bases. Suzuki was caught stealing only twice in 2006 for a 96% success rate. His 1,354 career U.S. hits topped [[Wade Boggs]]'s record for the most hits in any six-year period.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.seattlepi.com/baseball/278894_mari26.html | title=Tough night at the yard | work=Seattle PI| last=Hickey | first=John | date=26 July 2006 | access-date = 23 August 2009}}</ref> In his sixth year in the majors, Suzuki collected his sixth Gold Glove Award, and a sixth All-Star Game selection. He also won a [[Fielding Bible Award]] as the best fielding MLB right fielder.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2006 Fielding Bible Awards |url=http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/the-2006-winners.asp |publisher=The Fielding Bible |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110080140/http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/the-2006-winners.asp |archive-date=10 November 2010 |access-date=18 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Suzuki began wearing high stocking baseball pants in the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lefton|first1=Brad|title=Ichiro prepares for WBC — and better season with M's|url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sports/2002818633_ichiro21.html|access-date=12 April 2016|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=21 February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425222526/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sports/2002818633_ichiro21.html|archive-date=25 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2007====
[[File:Suzuki Ichiro runs to homeplate.jpg|thumb|left|Suzuki rounding the bases on 22 September 2007]]
In May and June, Suzuki hit in 25 consecutive games, breaking the previous Mariners record set by [[Joey Cora]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Street|first1=Jim|title=Anatomy of a Mariners record|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/5099196/|access-date=12 April 2016|date=2 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423040539/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/5099196/|archive-date=23 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Romero|first1=José Miguel|title=Ichiro a hit — Mariners miss|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/ichiro-a-hit-mariners-miss/|access-date=12 April 2016|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=2 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426041658/http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/ichiro-a-hit-mariners-miss/|archive-date=26 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Suzuki broke [[Tim Raines]]' American League record by stealing 41 consecutive bases without being caught.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Geoff|title=Samurai of hitting" sets AL stolen-base record|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/ms-notebook-samurai-of-hitting-sets-al-stolen-base-record/|access-date=12 April 2016|date=4 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426005349/http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/ms-notebook-samurai-of-hitting-sets-al-stolen-base-record/|archive-date=26 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Suzuki extended the record to 45; the major league record of 50 belongs to [[Vince Coleman (baseball)|Vince Coleman]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Jim|title=Caught stealing? That's rare with these players|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=baker/080801|access-date=12 April 2016|work=ESPN.com|date=4 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420114136/http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=baker%2F080801|archive-date=20 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 10 July 2007, he became the first player to hit an inside-the-park home run in any [[MLB All-Star Game]] after an unpredictable hop off the right field wall of [[AT&T Park]] in San Francisco. It was the first inside-the-park home run of Suzuki's professional career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stark |first=Jayson |author-link=Jayson Stark |date=11 July 2007 |title=Ichiro takes roundtrip to All-Star history |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/allstar07/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2932445 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813112716/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar07/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2932445 |archive-date=13 August 2007 |access-date=11 July 2007 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Suzuki was a perfect 3-for-3 in the game and was named the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVP Award|Most Valuable Player]] in the American League's 5–4 victory.

2007 marked the end of Suzuki's second contract with the Mariners, and he initially told MLB.com that he would likely enter the free agent market, citing the team's lack of success in recent years. However, Suzuki signed a five-year contract extension with Seattle in July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/2084095|title=Ichiro signs five-year deal with Mariners|access-date=13 July 2007|date=13 July 2007|author=Brown, Patrick|website=MLB.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119064540/http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/2084095|archive-date=19 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The deal was reported to be worth $90&nbsp;million, consisting of a $17&nbsp;million annual salary and $5&nbsp;million signing bonus.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2935612|title=Mariners sign Ichiro through 2012 season|access-date=15 July 2007|date=13 July 2007|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827110818/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2935612|archive-date=27 August 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> The Associated Press reported that Suzuki's contract extension defers $25&nbsp;million of the $90&nbsp;million at 5.5% interest until after his retirement, with payments through 2032. Other provisions in Suzuki's contract included a yearly housing allowance of more than $30,000, and four first-class round-trip tickets to Japan each year for his family. He was provided with either a new Jeep or Mercedes SUV, as well as a personal trainer and interpreter.

On 29 July 2007, Suzuki collected his 1,500th U.S. hit, the third fastest to reach the MLB milestone behind Al Simmons and George Sisler.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ichiro third fastest in MLB history to 1,500 hits|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2953988|access-date=12 April 2016|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=29 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420082711/http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2953988|archive-date=20 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2008====
Suzuki had 213 hits in 2008, his eighth straight 200-hit season. This tied the 107-year-old record set by [[Wee Willie Keeler]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-09-18 |title=Ichiro ties record with 8th straight 200-hit season |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3594615 |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=ESPN}}</ref> Typically, Suzuki was among baseball's leaders in reaching base on an error (14 times in 2008, more than any other batter in the AL), and in infield hits (his 56 were the most in the majors).<ref name="baseball-reference.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-baserunning-batting.shtml |title=2008 Major League Baseball Baserunning/Misc |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101331/https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-baserunning-batting.shtml |archive-date=2 April 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Suzuki amassed an estimated 694 infield hits in his U.S. career.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ichiro-suzuki-amazing-stats#:~:text=Ichiro%20tallied%20an%20estimated%20694%20infield%20hits%20in%20his%20career. | title=51 interesting stats about Ichiro | work=mlb.com | date=August 22, 2022 | accessdate=22 January 2025}}</ref> Detroit third baseman [[Brandon Inge]] told ''[[The New York Times]]'', "I wish you could put a camera at third base to see how he hits the ball and see the way it deceives you. You can call some guys' infield hits cheap, but not his. He has amazing technique."<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/sports/baseball/23ichiro.html?_r=2 | work=The New York Times | title=Mariners' Suzuki on a First-Name Basis With Records | first=Brad | last=Lefton | date=23 August 2009 | access-date=5 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108200406/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/sports/baseball/23ichiro.html?_r=2 | archive-date=8 January 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2008, Suzuki stole two bases, giving him a career total of 292, surpassing the previous Seattle Mariners team record of 290 set by second baseman [[Julio Cruz (baseball)|Julio Cruz]]. Cruz, who worked on Spanish-language broadcasts of Mariners games at the time, was watching from the broadcast booth as Suzuki broke his record.<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Neil|first1=Danny|title=Mariners send Jeff Clement to Class AAA Tacoma|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/notebook-mariners-send-jeff-clement-to-class-aaa-tacoma/|access-date=12 April 2008|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=19 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426041545/http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/notebook-mariners-send-jeff-clement-to-class-aaa-tacoma/|archive-date=26 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Alex, Julio hit one out of the park|url=http://www.stpns.net/view_article.html?articleId=107521787031965112836|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420193239/http://www.stpns.net/view_article.html?articleId=107521787031965112836|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2016|access-date=12 April 2008|work=Edmonds Beacon|date=16 July 2009}}</ref>

On 29 July 2008, Suzuki became the second-youngest player to amass 3,000 top-level professional hits (1,278 in Japan and 1,722 in the U.S.) after [[Ty Cobb]]. He also became just the second Japanese professional to get 3,000 hits. ([[Nippon Professional Baseball]]'s record holder is [[Isao Harimoto]], with 3,085 hits).<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCRhfusgFkI |title=7/29/08: Ichiro's 3000th Professional Hit {{!}} イチローハイライト |date=2010-09-17 |last=MLB Vault |access-date=2025-03-31 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Matuszewski |first=Erik |date=July 30, 2008 |title=Ichiro Suzuki Collects 3,000th Hit of Career in Japan, U.S. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2008-07-30/ichiro-suzuki-collects-3-000th-hit-of-career-in-japan-u-s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250331081034/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2008-07-30/ichiro-suzuki-collects-3-000th-hit-of-career-in-japan-u-s |archive-date=31 March 2025 |access-date=31 March 2025 |work=Bloomberg.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-07 |title=Ichiro Suzuki records 3,000th MLB hit |url=https://www.knbr.com/2016/08/07/ichiro-suzuki-records-3000th-mlb-hit/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=KNBR |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

By 2008, it had emerged in the media that Suzuki was known within baseball for his tradition of exhorting the American League team with a profanity-laced pregame speech in the clubhouse prior to the MLB All-Star Game. Asked if the speech had had any effect on the AL's decade-long winning streak, Suzuki deadpanned, "I've got to say over 90 percent." Minnesota first baseman [[Justin Morneau]] describes the effect: "If you've never seen it, it's definitely something pretty funny. It's hard to explain, the effect it has on everyone. It's such a tense environment. Everyone's a little nervous for the game, and then he comes out. He doesn't say a whole lot the whole time he's in there, and all of a sudden, the manager gets done with his speech, and he pops off." Boston's slugger [[David Ortiz]] says simply, "It's why we win."<ref>{{cite news |author=Passan |first=jeff |author-link=Jeff Passan |date=15 July 2008 |title=Ichiro's speech to All-Stars revealed |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-ichirospeech071508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718180751/http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-ichirospeech071508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns |archive-date=18 July 2009 |access-date=14 January 2017 |work=Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Yahoo.com}}</ref>

====2009====
[[File:Ichiro Suzuki June 10, 2009.jpg|alt=|thumb|Suzuki in 2009]]
Suzuki began his 2009 season by going on the disabled list for the first time in his career. He had a bleeding ulcer, which team doctor Mitch Storey said may have been caused in part by the stress of playing in the World Baseball Classic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/sports/2008979491_ichiro04.html|title=Ichiro had bleeding ulcer, will start season on disabled list|work=[[Seattle Times]]|date=4 April 2009}}</ref> After missing 8 games, Suzuki debuted on 15 April and went 2-for-5 against the Angels, including a [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] for his 3,085th overall professional career hit. The home run matched [[Isao Harimoto]]'s Japanese record for career hits, and Harimoto had been flown out to Seattle to witness the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2009-04-16-mariners-angels_N.htm|title=Griffey, Ichiro go yard, make history as Mariners roll over Angels|work=[[USA Today]]|date=17 April 2009|access-date=23 July 2012}}</ref> Suzuki surpassed the record the following night.

[[File:Ichiro Suzuki and Barack Obama.jpg|thumb|Suzuki meeting President [[Barack Obama]] before the [[2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2009 All-Star Game]] on 14 July 2009]]
Suzuki was named #30 on the ''[[Sporting News]]''' 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball, voted upon by a 100-person panel of experts and former stars. In May and June, Suzuki surpassed his own franchise record with a 27-game hitting streak.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Miller|first1=Doug|title=Ichiro's streak ends at 27 games|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/5159432/|access-date=12 April 2016|website=MLB.com|date=5 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423023754/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/5159432/|archive-date=23 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Suzuki went on to record 44 hits in June 2009, his 20th career month with 40 or more hits. The previous players to have accomplished this were [[Stan Musial]] in the NL and [[Lou Gehrig]] in the AL.

On 6 September against the [[Oakland Athletics|Oakland A's]], Suzuki collected his 2,000th MLB hit on the second pitch of the game, a double along the first base foul line. He is the second-fastest player to reach the milestone, behind [[Al Simmons]]. On 13 September against the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], Suzuki collected his 200th hit of the season for the ninth consecutive year, setting an all-time major league record. Suzuki recorded 210 hits with Orix in 1994, thereby giving him a total of ten 200 hit seasons in his professional career.

With two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning on 18 September, Suzuki hit a walk-off, two-run home run against Yankees closer [[Mariano Rivera]], scoring [[Michael Saunders]] in one of the more memorable victories of the season. His homer made a winner out of [[Félix Hernández]], who was in line for the loss despite having allowed only one run in 9 innings pitched.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA200909180.shtml|title=September 18, 2009 New York Yankees at Seattle Mariners Box Score|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035644/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA200909180.shtml|archive-date=2 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 26 September 2009, Suzuki was ejected from a game for the first time in his professional career. Arguing that a strikeout pitch from Toronto's [[David Purcey]] had been outside, Suzuki used his bat to draw a line on the outer edge of the plate, and was immediately tossed by umpire [[Brian Runge]]. He was the only Mariner to be ejected from a game all season.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/09/say-it-aint-so-ichiro-tossed-from-a-game.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=The Fabulous Forum | date=26 September 2009 | access-date=5 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001193206/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/09/say-it-aint-so-ichiro-tossed-from-a-game.html | archive-date=1 October 2009 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbeCmolnYf0|title=YouTube|work=youtube.com|access-date=6 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102095626/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbeCmolnYf0|archive-date=2 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The ejection may have hurt Suzuki's chances regarding an esoteric record: the longest playing streak without going hitless in consecutive games. Suzuki's stretch was at 180 games, the longest in the majors since [[Doc Cramer]] went 191 consecutive games without back-to-back 0-fers in 1934–35. Suzuki went hitless in the following afternoon's game.

Suzuki again led the majors in hits in 2009, with 225.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/player|title="MLB Player Batting Stats – 2009", ESPN, accessed October 8, 2009|work=ESPN.com|access-date=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002233713/http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/seasontype/2/sort/hits/order/true|archive-date=2 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In spite of hitting ground balls at a rate of 55 percent, he grounded into only one double play all season; in the 15 April game, his first game played in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carleton |first=Russell |title=Baseball Therapy: 2009 in Number |url=http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9888 |date=28 December 2009 |publisher=[[Baseball Prospectus]] |access-date=24 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127060524/http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9888 |archive-date=27 January 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> He won his second Fielding Bible Award as the best fielding right fielder in MLB.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2009 Awards |url=http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/the-2009-winners.asp |publisher=The Fielding Bible |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105001529/http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/the-2009-winners.asp |archive-date=5 November 2010 |access-date=17 November 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

====2010====
[[File:Ichiro Suzuki 2010.jpg|alt=|thumb|Suzuki batting in 2010]]
Suzuki's 37 career leadoff home runs rank 13th all time, {{As of|2024|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Career MLB Leadoff Home Runs |url=https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/most-career-mlb-leadoff-home-runs |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=StatMuse |language=en}}</ref> Nevertheless, in 2009, Suzuki told ''The New York Times'':

<blockquote>Chicks who dig home runs aren't the ones who appeal to me. I think there's sexiness in infield hits because they require technique. I'd rather impress the chicks with my technique than with my brute strength. Then, every now and then, just to show I can do that, too, I might flirt a little by hitting one out.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/sports/baseball/23ichiro.html?_r=2 | work=The New York Times | title=Mariners' Suzuki on a First-Name Basis With Records | first=Brad | last=Lefton | date=August 23, 2009 | access-date=February 16, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108200406/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/sports/baseball/23ichiro.html?_r=2 | archive-date=January 8, 2017 | url-status=live }}</ref></blockquote>

After playing in the season opener against the [[Oakland Athletics]], Suzuki became eligible for [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]] consideration, by playing in his tenth MLB season.<ref name="HOFe">{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100406&content_id=9109220&notebook_id=9109756&vkey=notebook_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea|title=Ichiro eligible for Hall consideration|last=Street|first=Jim|date=6 April 2010|website=[[MLB.com]]|access-date=8 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410110702/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100406&content_id=9109220&notebook_id=9109756&vkey=notebook_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea|archive-date=10 April 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> On 5 June 2010, Suzuki scored his 1,000th career MLB run against the Angels on [[Franklin Gutierrez]]'s RBI groundout. On 1 September 2010, Suzuki also collected his 2,200th hit, a leadoff infield single against [[Cleveland Indians]] pitcher [[Josh Tomlin]].

During the August 2010 series against the [[New York Yankees]], Suzuki traveled to the [[Calvary Cemetery (Queens, New York)|Calvary Cemetery]] in [[Queens]], New York, to pay his respects at the grave of Hall-of-Famer [[Willie Keeler|"Wee Willie" Keeler]], whose record for single-season hits he had broken in 2004.<ref>Dave Neihaus, FSNW television broadcast of Seattle Mariners vs New York Yankees, 21 August 2010</ref>

On 23 September, Suzuki hit a single to center field against [[Toronto Blue Jays]] pitcher [[Shawn Hill]] to become the first MLB player in history to reach the 200 hit mark for 10 consecutive seasons. This feat also tied him with [[Pete Rose]] for the most career seasons of 200+ hits, and he surpassed [[Ty Cobb]] for most career seasons of 200+ hits in the AL. He finished the season with 214 hits, topping the MLB in that category. Suzuki also finished the season "ironman" style, playing in all 162 games. Only Suzuki and [[Matt Kemp]] did so for the 2010 season. This was Suzuki's 3rd season playing in all 162 games. Also, Suzuki was nominated for the [[This Year in Baseball Awards|This Year in Baseball Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101013&content_id=15614006&vkey=news_sea&c_id=sea |title=Ichiro, King Felix up for TYIB Awards |publisher=Seattle.mariners.mlb.com |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020211321/http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101013&content_id=15614006&vkey=news_sea&c_id=sea |archive-date=20 October 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Suzuki finished first or second in hits in all of his first 10 MLB seasons.

Suzuki won his tenth consecutive [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award]] in 2010, tying [[Ken Griffey Jr.]], [[Andruw Jones]], and [[Al Kaline]], and trailing only Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays (twelve each) for major league outfielders.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101109&content_id=16041500&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Ichiro wins 10th straight Gold Glove |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date=29 October 2010 |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111172822/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101109&content_id=16041500&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |archive-date=11 November 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101027&content_id=15864376&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Hunter, Ichiro each seeking 10th AL Gold Glove |work=Major League Baseball |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110222147/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101027&content_id=15864376&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |archive-date=10 November 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Suzuki also won his second consecutive and third overall [[Fielding Bible Award]] for his statistically based defensive excellence in right field.<ref name=gleeman>{{cite news
| title = Yadier Molina leads fifth annual "Fielding Bible Awards"
| first = Aaron
| last = Gleeman
| author-link = Aaron Gleeman
| url = http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/01/yadier-molina-leads-fifth-annual-fielding-bible-awards/
| work = NBCSports.com
| date = 1 November 2010
| access-date = 11 November 2010
| quote = For those of us who have come to more or less ignore Gold Glove awards as a meaningful way to measure defensive excellence, the fifth annual Fielding Bible Awards were announced today.
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101103232951/http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/01/yadier-molina-leads-fifth-annual-fielding-bible-awards/
| archive-date = 3 November 2010
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> Suzuki was the first right fielder in MLB history to win multiple Bible awards.

====2011====
[[File:Ichiro Suzuki (51007139572) (cropped).jpg|alt=|thumb|Suzuki in 2011]]
On 2 April 2011, Suzuki broke the Mariners' all-time career hits record with his 2,248th hit in the 9th inning versus the Oakland Athletics, overtaking the team's previous leader Edgar Martínez.<ref>{{cite web|last=Johns|first=Greg|title=Humbled Ichiro breaks Edgar's hits mark|url=http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110402&content_id=17307462&notebook_id=17308108&vkey=notebook_sea&c_id=sea&partnerId=ed-4344441-193444916|access-date=2 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007074420/http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110402&content_id=17307462&notebook_id=17308108&vkey=notebook_sea&c_id=sea&partnerId=ed-4344441-193444916|archive-date=7 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2011 marked the first time in Suzuki's 11 seasons that he failed to make the All-Star team. He batted under .300 (.277) before the All-Star break for the first time in his career. On 10 July, manager [[Eric Wedge]] did not start Suzuki, ending his then-major league-best active streak of 255 consecutive starts. Suzuki followed with an 11-game hitting streak, but Wedge noted "it's not that easy to give that guy a day off" due to Suzuki's iconic stature.<ref name=howard>{{cite news|last=Howard |first=Johnette |title=The chutzpah of Ichiro |date=28 July 2011 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/howard-110728/ichiro-suzuki-seattle-mariners-singles-vs-home-runs-reasons-dropoff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013205926/http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/howard-110728/ichiro-suzuki-seattle-mariners-singles-vs-home-runs-reasons-dropoff |archive-date=13 October 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref> On 22 August, Suzuki hit his 35th career leadoff homer, tying him for 6th place with [[Bobby Bonds]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ichiro ties Bonds for sixth in leadoff homers |date=22 August 2011 |work=MLB.com |url=http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110823&content_id=23616834&notebook_id=23616838&vkey=notebook_sea&c_id=sea |access-date=6 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617202034/http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110823&content_id=23616834&notebook_id=23616838&vkey=notebook_sea&c_id=sea |archive-date=17 June 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Suzuki finished the season batting a career-low .272 with 184&nbsp;hits, the first time in his 11-year MLB career he did not record 200&nbsp;hits. It was also his first season not playing in the All-Star game, as well as his first season not winning a Gold Glove.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gio Gonzalez closes year with 8-inning gem to lift A's |date=28 September 2011 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=ESPN.com |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310928112 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004044630/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310928112 |archive-date=4 October 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

====2012====

On 19 June 2012, Suzuki led off a game against the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] with a single to center field, the 2,500th hit of his MLB career. Suzuki reached the milestone in the fourth-fewest games in major league history, after [[Al Simmons]], [[Ty Cobb]], and [[George Sisler]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bloom|first=Barry M.|title=Ichiro back in lineup, collects 2,500th hit|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120619&content_id=33592268&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb%20%20%20,after|work=mlb.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media, L.P.|access-date=20 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617204733/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120619&content_id=33592268&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb%20%20%20,after|archive-date=17 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 13-inning road loss to the Oakland A's on 8 July, Suzuki was placed second in the batting order and responded by going 2 for 6 to bring his season batting average to .261 heading into the All-Star break.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_07_08_seamlb_oakmlb_1&mode=box#gid=2012_07_08_seamlb_oakmlb_1&mode=box|title=July 8, 2012 Box score vs. A's|work=MLB.com|access-date=8 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201211046/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_07_08_seamlb_oakmlb_1&mode=box#gid=2012_07_08_seamlb_oakmlb_1&mode=box|archive-date=1 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In the previous night's game, Suzuki recorded two hits to break a career-worst 0-for-23 hitless streak.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/top-mariners-2-1-13-000853863--mlb.html|title=A's top Mariners in 13 to end 1st half at .500|last=Dubow|first=Josh|agency=AP|work=Yahoo! Sports|date=8 July 2012|access-date=8 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712014750/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/top-mariners-2-1-13-000853863--mlb.html|archive-date=12 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Suzuki had also been tried at the three-spot in the batting order<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/larrystone/2018743207_stone22.html|title=Ichiro's legacy muddied what should be a clear-cut contract decision|last=Stone|first=Larry|date=21 July 2012|access-date=22 July 2012|newspaper=Seattle Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725063657/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/larrystone/2018743207_stone22.html|archive-date=25 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> during a season for which he earned $18 million. Former teammate [[Jay Buhner]] stated he felt Suzuki was the recipient of too much blame for the Mariners' difficulties but "at the same time, they need help desperately." Buhner stated that if Suzuki were awarded a three-year contract extension for somewhere between $35 million and $40 million, "I'd vomit. I mean, really, no offense. No offense, we've got to get this organization turned around. You can't be spending all the money on one guy."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2018709473_mariners_notes18.html|newspaper=The Seattle Times|title=Jay Buhner says 'I'd vomit' if Ichiro was offered big contract extension|date=17 July 2012|access-date=22 July 2012|last=Baker|first=Geoff|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721054952/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2018709473_mariners_notes18.html|archive-date=21 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

With a contract extension with the Mariners unknown, Suzuki stated, "It's going to go both ways. It can't just come from the player. It's got to come from the team, too. If the team is saying they need you, you're necessary, then it becomes a piece. But if it's just coming from the player, it's not going to happen."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/ichiro-draws-from-lessons-learned-from-friend-buck-o-neil-as-he-ponders-future-with-mariners.html|title=Ichiro draws lessons learned from friend Buck O'Neil as he ponders future with Mariners|date=19 July 2012|access-date=22 July 2012|last=Passan|first=Jeff|work=Yahoo! Sports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722002055/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ichiro-draws-from-lessons-learned-from-friend-buck-o-neil-as-he-ponders-future-with-mariners.html|archive-date=22 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Suzuki's agent, Tony Attanasio, said, "He knows that the club has to grow. He knows they have to play the younger guys and get them more playing time. The only way he knows to do that is to move on. He doesn't want to stop playing. He wants to continue."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2018755284_ichirotrade24.html|title=Ichiro traded to Yankees for minor-league prospects|date=23 July 2012|access-date=23 July 2012|newspaper=The Seattle Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213053231/http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2018755284_ichirotrade24.html|archive-date=13 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

===New York Yankees (2012–2014)===
[[File:Army Black Knights vs New York Yankees (8609236609) (cropped).jpg|thumb|250px|Suzuki in 2013]]

====Rest of 2012: second postseason appearance====
Suzuki approached the Mariners to ask for a trade at midseason in 2012. His first choice was to play for the [[New York Yankees]]. The Mariners traded him to the Yankees for minor league pitchers [[D. J. Mitchell (baseball)|D. J. Mitchell]] and [[Danny Farquhar]] on 23 July. Seattle also received cash in the trade. Suzuki left Seattle hitting .261 with a .288 [[on-base percentage]] (OBP), four home runs, 28 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 95 games. His first game as a Yankee was played the night of the trade, at Safeco Field against the Mariners.<ref name="YankeesTrade">{{cite news|last=Berry|first=Adam|title=Mariners trade Ichiro to Yanks for two prospects|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120723&content_id=35428210&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|access-date=23 July 2012|newspaper=MLB.com|date=23 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725105444/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120723&content_id=35428210&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|archive-date=25 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://tracking.si.com/2012/07/23/ichiro-trade-yankees/|title=Ichiro traded to Yankees|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=23 July 2012|access-date=23 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725114541/http://tracking.si.com/2012/07/23/ichiro-trade-yankees/|archive-date=25 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Feinsand |first=Mark |date=23 July 2012 |title=Yankees acquire 10-time All-Star Ichiro Suzuki from the Seattle Mariners for two pitching prospects |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-acquire-10-time-all-star-ichiro-suzuki-seattle-mariners-pitching-prospects-article-1.1120383 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725050504/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-acquire-10-time-all-star-ichiro-suzuki-seattle-mariners-pitching-prospects-article-1.1120383 |archive-date=25 July 2012 |access-date=23 July 2012 |website=[[New York Daily News]]}}</ref><ref name=waldstein_10082012>{{cite news |last=Waldstein |first=David |title=Suzuki Soaks in the Postseason After a Decade Away From It |date=8 October 2012 |newspaper=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/sports/baseball/at-38-ichiro-suzuki-soaks-in-the-postseason.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131040225/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/sports/baseball/at-38-ichiro-suzuki-soaks-in-the-postseason.html?_r=0 |archive-date=31 January 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Before the trade was consummated, Suzuki agreed to the Yankees' conditions, which stated that they would play Suzuki primarily in left field, bat him at the bottom of the lineup, and occasionally sit him against left-handed pitching.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matthews |first=Wallace |date=24 July 2012 |title=New York Yankees' Ichiro Suzuki made concessions before agreeing to trade – ESPN New York |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/8195019/new-york-yankees-ichiro-suzuki-made-concessions-agreeing-trade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725072601/http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/8195019/new-york-yankees-ichiro-suzuki-made-concessions-agreeing-trade |archive-date=25 July 2012 |access-date=24 September 2012 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Suzuki hit safely in his first 12 games as a Yankee, tying a record set by [[Don Slaught]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121219&content_id=40753838&oid=36019 |title=Yankees officially announce Ichiro signing |publisher=Web.yesnetwork.com |access-date=28 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102010808/http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121219&content_id=40753838&oid=36019 |archive-date=2 January 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He wore number 31 during his tenure with the Yankees, as his traditional 51 had not been used since the 2006 retirement of [[Bernie Williams]], who wore it while playing for the Yankees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/ichiro-settles-no-31-new-yankee-uniform-number-blog-entry-1.1653079|title=Ichiro settles on No. 31 as new Yankee uniform number|work=NY Daily News|access-date=1 July 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810130543/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/ichiro-settles-no-31-new-yankee-uniform-number-blog-entry-1.1653079|archive-date=10 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Suzuki hit his first home run as a Yankee, and the 100th of his career, on 30 July against the [[Baltimore Orioles]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Yankee Stadium |author2=New York |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=320730110&teams=baltimore-orioles-vs-new-york-yankees |title=Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees – Recap – July 30, 2012 – ESPN |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=30 July 2012 |access-date=24 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118153345/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=320730110&teams=baltimore-orioles-vs-new-york-yankees |archive-date=18 November 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> For the week ending 23 September, Suzuki was named [[AL Player of the Week]] after hitting .600 (15-for-25) with three doubles, two home runs, five RBI, seven runs scored, and six stolen bases in six games. He led all MLB players in batting average, hits, steals and OBP (.630).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120924&content_id=38948232&vkey=pr_nyy&c_id=nyy |title=Ichiro Suzuki of the New York Yankees named the American League Player of the Week &#124; yankees.com: News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=24 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015024310/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120924&content_id=38948232&vkey=pr_nyy&c_id=nyy |archive-date=15 October 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In 67 games with New York, Suzuki batted .322 with a .340 OBP, 28 runs, five home runs and 27 RBIs. With his improved performance, the Yankees at times batted him second and also started him against left-handers.<ref name=waldstein_10082012/>

Against the [[Baltimore Orioles]] in the [[2012 ALDS]], Suzuki ran home on a ball hit by [[Robinson Canó]]. Despite the ball beating him to the plate, Orioles catcher [[Matt Wieters]] had difficulty tagging Suzuki, who evaded multiple tag attempts by jumping over and around Wieters. In Game 1 of the [[2012 ALCS]], Suzuki hit his first career postseason home run; however, the Yankees lost the series to the [[Detroit Tigers]] in 4 games.

On 19 December 2012, Suzuki finalized a $13 million deal for two years with the Yankees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yankees To Give Ichiro $6.5 Million In Both 2013 And 2014|date=19 December 2012|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/12/19/yankees-to-give-ichiro-6-5-million-in-both-2013-and-2014/|publisher=CBS News New York|access-date=20 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231090546/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/12/19/yankees-to-give-ichiro-6-5-million-in-both-2013-and-2014/|archive-date=31 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2013====
On 25 June 2013, Suzuki hit a walk-off home run against Rangers pitcher [[Tanner Scheppers]] with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Earlier in the game, three of his teammates had led off the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings with home runs, so all of the Yankees' runs in the game were provided by solo home runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ichiro-s-walk-off-hr-gives-yankees-dramatic-win-over-rangers-1.5569364|title=Ichiro's HR gives Yanks walk-off win|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422140509/http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ichiro-s-walk-off-hr-gives-yankees-dramatic-win-over-rangers-1.5569364|archive-date=22 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 21 August 2013, Suzuki collected his 4,000th professional career hit with a single off [[Toronto Blue Jays]] pitcher [[R. A. Dickey]], becoming the seventh player in professional baseball history known to have reached the mark after [[Pete Rose]], [[Ty Cobb]], [[Julio Franco]], [[Hank Aaron]], [[Jigger Statz]], and [[Stan Musial]].<ref name="espn">{{Cite web |last=Caple |first=Jim |date=21 August 2013 |title=Ichiro Suzuki to reach remarkable 4,000-hit milestone |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9586027/ichiro-suzuki-reach-remarkable-4000-hit-milestone |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006115312/http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9586027/ichiro-suzuki-reach-remarkable-4000-hit-milestone |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=30 September 2014 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://baseballmusings.com/?p=95963|title=Chasing 4000 : baseballmusings.com|access-date=30 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006075707/http://www.baseballmusings.com/?p=95963|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2014====
On 10 July 2014, Suzuki collected his 2,800th MLB hit off of Cleveland Indians pitcher [[Scott Atchison]] in the top of the eighth inning at [[Progressive Field]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v34476859/nyycle-ichiro-collects-2800th-hit-with-single|title=Ichiro's 2,800th career hit|website=MLB.com|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422140434/http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v34476859/nyycle-ichiro-collects-2800th-hit-with-single|archive-date=22 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 9 August 2014, Suzuki hit a single in a game against the Astros to pass [[George Sisler]] on the all-time hit list with his 2,811th hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2014/08/09/mccann-lands-on-dl-teixeira-may-return-sunday/|title=McCann lands on DL, Teixeira may return Sunday|first=Dan|last=Martin|date=10 August 2014|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035920/https://nypost.com/2014/08/09/mccann-lands-on-dl-teixeira-may-return-sunday/|archive-date=2 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Suzuki had previously broken Sisler's single season hit record in the 2004 season.

===Miami Marlins (2015–2017)===
====2015====
On 23 January 2015, Suzuki agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the [[2015 Miami Marlins season|Miami Marlins]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/107247704/source-ichiro-suzuki-marlins-agree-to-one-year-deal |title=Source: Ichiro, Marlins agree to 1-year deal |last=Berry |first=Adam |work=MLB.com |date=23 January 2015 |access-date=23 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123214920/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/107247704/source-ichiro-suzuki-marlins-agree-to-one-year-deal |archive-date=23 January 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The Marlins originally planned for him to be their fourth outfielder, but he finished the season with 439 [[plate appearances]] due to team injuries—primarily [[Giancarlo Stanton]], who suffered a season-ending injury on 26 June.<ref name=waldstein_10032015>{{cite news |last=Waldstein |first=David |title=Ichiro Suzuki Aiming at Age 50 (but First, 3,000 Hits) |date=3 October 2015 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/sports/baseball/ichiro-suzuki-aiming-at-age-50-but-first-3000-hits.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007024154/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/sports/baseball/ichiro-suzuki-aiming-at-age-50-but-first-3000-hits.html?_r=0 |archive-date=7 October 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schoenfield |first=David |title=2015 offseason preview: Miami Marlins |date=11 November 2015 |website=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/66216/2015-offseason-preview-miami-marlins |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113071440/http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/66216/2015-offseason-preview-miami-marlins |archive-date=13 November 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> On 25 April, Suzuki scored his 1,310th major league run, which, combined with the 658 runs he scored in Japan, surpassed the record for runs scored by a Japanese player set by [[Sadaharu Oh]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=350425128 |title=Koehler, Marlins win 4th in a row, beat Nationals 8–0 |date=25 April 2015 |access-date=25 April 2015 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425225509/http://espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=350425128 |archive-date=25 April 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> On 18 June, he was batting .294 after playing in 64 of the Marlins' 68 games, but his average fell to .229 by season's end.<ref name=waldstein_10032015/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ichiro Suzuki 2015 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=suzukic01&t=b&year=2015 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On 14 August at [[Busch Stadium]], Suzuki singled off [[2015 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]] starter [[John Lackey]] to earn his 4,192nd top-level hit, passing [[Ty Cobb]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Zunavich |first=Adam |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article31234787.html |title=Ichiro surpasses Ty Cobb in hits but Marlins fall to Cardinals |work=[[Miami Herald]] |date=15 August 2015 |access-date=16 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101223438/http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article31234787.html |archive-date=1 November 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> On 29 July, Suzuki recorded his 2,900th major league hit, against [[2015 Washington Nationals season|Washington Nationals]] pitcher [[Doug Fister]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/07/29/ichiro-hit-milestone-not-enough-in-marlins-7-2-loss-to-nats/30866877/|title=Ichiro hit milestone not enough in Marlins 7-2 loss to Nats|work=[[USA Today]]|agency=Associated Press|date=29 July 2015|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422153744/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/07/29/ichiro-hit-milestone-not-enough-in-marlins-7-2-loss-to-nats/30866877/|archive-date=22 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 August, Suzuki had his first four-hit game since 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-08-19 |title=Suzuki's 4 hits lift Marlins past Brewers 9-6 |url=https://apnews.com/fl-state-wire-wi-state-wire-65d537d4b38846898f0b5000da6ae635 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> On 31 August, against the [[2015 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves]], Suzuki scored his 2,000th professional run, combining his runs scored in MLB (1,342) and in Japan's NPB (658).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ichiro-has-scored-2000-professional-runs/c-146587096 |title=Ichiro has scored 2000 professional runs |work=Major League Baseball |date=31 August 2015 |access-date=6 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005165032/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/146587096/ichiro-has-scored-2000-professional-runs |archive-date=5 October 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> On 5 September, Suzuki recorded his 100th right field assist in the major leagues.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ichiro-suzuki-gets-100th-right-field-assist/c-147680038 |title=Ichiro Suzuki gets 100th right-field assist |work=Major League Baseball |date=6 September 2015 |access-date=6 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005161849/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/147680038/ichiro-suzuki-gets-100th-right-field-assist |archive-date=5 October 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In the season finale against the [[2016 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]] on 4 October, he made his major league pitching debut, completing the final inning and allowing one run and two hits in a 7–2 loss.<ref name=FSAP>{{cite news |title=Ichiro pitches inning in relief for Marlins |url=http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/ichiro-rivera-star-outfielder-pitches-inning-in-relief-for-marlins-100415 |access-date=4 October 2015 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=[[Fox Sports]] |date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102095626/http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/ichiro-rivera-star-outfielder-pitches-inning-in-relief-for-marlins-100415 |archive-date=2 January 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> For the 2015 season, he batted .229/.282/.279 with 11 stolen bases.<ref name=bf>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suzukic01.shtml|title=Ichiro Suzuki|work=[[Baseball-Reference]]|year=2018|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518030310/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suzukic01.shtml|archive-date=18 May 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2016====
[[File:Ichiro Suzuki signature batting stance 2016.jpg|thumb|Suzuki in 2016]]
On 6 October 2015, Suzuki and the Marlins agreed on a one-year, $2 million contract for the 2016 season. The deal also came with a $2 million club option for 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Dayn |date=October 6, 2015 |title=Ichiro Suzuki re-signs with Marlins on one-year, $2-million deal |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/ichiro-suzuki-re-signs-with-marlins-on-one-year-2-million-deal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007060017/http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25329483/marlins-announce-ichiro-suzuki-to-return-in-2016 |archive-date=7 October 2015 |access-date=6 October 2015 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> He stole his 500th career MLB base on 29 April 2016, against the [[2016 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]], and led off the game with a single against [[Zach Davies]] to move ahead of [[Frank Robinson]] into 33rd place on the all-time MLB hit list with the 2,944th hit of his career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gruman |first=Andrew |date=April 29, 2016 |title=Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki steals 500th base |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/marlins-ichiro-suzuki-steals-500th-base/c-175333194 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223227/https://www.mlb.com/news/marlins-ichiro-suzuki-steals-500th-base/c-175333194 |archive-date=23 January 2019 |access-date=3 June 2018 |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

On 15 June, Suzuki recorded his 4,257th career hit, breaking [[Pete Rose]]'s all-time record for hits in top tier professional baseball.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ichiro Suzuki breaks baseball career hits record with double against Padres|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/15/pete-rose-icihiro-suzuki-mlb-hit-record|website=The Guardian|date=15 June 2016|access-date=16 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616023623/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/15/pete-rose-icihiro-suzuki-mlb-hit-record|archive-date=16 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Rose commented that "I'm not trying to take anything away from Ichiro, he's had a Hall of Fame career, but the next thing you know you'll be counting his high school hits."<ref name="NBCSports.com">{{cite web |url=http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/pete-rose-ichiro-suzuki-hits/ |title=FOR PETE'S SAKE Ichiro Suzuki deserves his own place in history |work=NBCSports.com |access-date=22 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620153802/http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/pete-rose-ichiro-suzuki-hits/ |archive-date=20 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was in response to the Japanese media labeling Suzuki as the "Hit King", claiming that Suzuki should be considered to be the all-time hits leader when his hits in Japan are included.<ref name="NBCSports.com"/> American media was more divided on the significance of the accomplishment, though some major sources acknowledged the milestone as indicating Suzuki had become the greatest hitter in baseball.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-16 |title=Ichiro Is The True Hit King And Pete Rose Can Eat Shit |url=https://deadspin.com/ichiro-is-the-true-hit-king-and-pete-rose-can-eat-shit-1782063120 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Deadspin |language=en}}</ref>

On 7 August, Suzuki collected the 3,000th hit of his MLB career when he hit a triple off the right field wall at [[Coors Field]] playing against the [[Colorado Rockies]]. He is just the second player to reach that milestone by way of a triple, joining Hall of Famer [[Paul Molitor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/08/07/ichiro-suzuki-3000-mlb-hits/88368750/|title=Ichiro Suzuki records 3,000th MLB hit with towering triple|date=7 August 2016|website=USAToday.com|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518192950/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/08/07/ichiro-suzuki-3000-mlb-hits/88368750/|archive-date=18 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He also became one of only seven players to have collected 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/ichiro-transitioning-to-role-of-special-assistant-to-the-chairman-effective-immediately/ |title=Ichiro removed from Mariners' 25-man roster — but he will remain in the organization |work=The Seattle Times |date=3 May 2018 |access-date=3 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504161944/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/ichiro-transitioning-to-role-of-special-assistant-to-the-chairman-effective-immediately/ |archive-date=4 May 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> At the end of his 16th season, Suzuki had played in exactly 2,500 major league games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/trainer-tidbit-fascinating-ichiro-fact-article-1.2979097|title=Trainer tidbit might be most fascinating Ichiro fact|website=NYDailyNews.com|date=22 February 2017 |access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924044917/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/trainer-tidbit-fascinating-ichiro-fact-article-1.2979097|archive-date=24 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Suzuki and [[Pete Rose]] are the only two players in MLB history to have accomplished playing in 2,500 games in their first 16 seasons.<ref name=bf/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pete Rose Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rosepe01.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412052216/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rosepe01.shtml |archive-date=12 April 2009 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

After the 2016 season, the Marlins exercised their option on Suzuki's contract for the 2017 season, and added an option for the 2018 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-marlins/sfl-marlins-pick-up-ichiro-s-2017-option-add-another-for-2018-20161005-story.html|title=Marlins pick up Ichiro's 2017 option, add another for 2018; make Martin Prado's extension official|work=Sun Sentinel|first=Tim|last=Healey|date=5 October 2016|access-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009120823/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-marlins/sfl-marlins-pick-up-ichiro-s-2017-option-add-another-for-2018-20161005-story.html|archive-date=9 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2017====
On 19 April, Suzuki hit his first home run against his former team the [[Seattle Mariners]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Townsend |first=Mark |date=20 April 2017 |title=Ichiro authors perfect ending to potential final game in Seattle |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/ichiro-authors-perfect-ending-potential-final-game-seattle-001025005.html;_ylt=A0LEVv45wvpY0WYAgU4nnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTEyc3VkamdoBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjM4ODdfMQRzZWMDc2M- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903072623/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/ichiro-authors-perfect-ending-potential-final-game-seattle-001025005.html;_ylt=A0LEVv45wvpY0WYAgU4nnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTEyc3VkamdoBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjM4ODdfMQRzZWMDc2M- |archive-date=3 September 2017 |access-date=1 September 2017 |website=Yahoo! Sports}}</ref> a 9th-inning drive off [[Evan Marshall (baseball)|Evan Marshall]].<ref name="j209">{{cite web | last=Berg | first=Ted | title=Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki homered in (perhaps) his final at-bat at Safeco Field | website=For The Win|publisher=USA Today | date=2017-04-19 | url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/04/seattle-mariners-ichiro-suzuki-miami-marlins-home-run-safeco-field-mlb | access-date=2024-09-17}}</ref> Suzuki scored his 1400th run in a 23 May game against the Oakland A's.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK201705230.shtml|title=Miami Marlins at Oakland Athletics Box Score, May 23, 2017 - Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817081417/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK201705230.shtml|archive-date=17 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Northrop |first=Chris |date=December 26, 2017 |title=Ichiro Suzuki, 44, Waits for MLB Opportunity |url=https://www.baseballessential.com/news/2017/12/26/ichiro-suzuki-44-waits-for-mlb-opportunity |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208123517/https://www.baseballessential.com/news/2017/12/26/ichiro-suzuki-44-waits-for-mlb-opportunity/ |archive-date=8 February 2018 |access-date=7 February 2018 |website=Baseball Essential}}</ref>

On 14 June, Suzuki singled for his 365th interleague hit, passing [[Derek Jeter]] (364) to become the all-time leader in interleague hits.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clair |first=Michael |date=14 June 2017 |title=Ichiro broke the all-time Interleague hits record in the most fitting way: With an infield single |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/ichiro-hit-an-infield-single-to-break-the-interleague-hits-record-c236462988 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618061357/http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2017/06/14/236462988/ichiro-hit-an-infield-single-to-break-the-interleague-hits-record |archive-date=18 June 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> Suzuki finished 2017 with 368 interleague hits. This total would be surpassed by [[Miguel Cabrera]] on September 7, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2021/09/07/miguel-cabrera-passes-ichiro-suzuki-all-time-interleague-hits-list-detroit-tigers-3-2-loss-pittsburg/5752096001/ |title=Cabrera passes Ichiro on all-time interleague hits list in 3-2 loss to Pirates |publisher=The Detroit News |first=Chris |last=McCosky |date=September 7, 2021 |access-date=September 8, 2021}}</ref>

On 25 June, Suzuki (age 43 and 246 days) became the oldest player to start a game in center field since at least 1900, breaking the record previously held by [[Rickey Henderson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lwosports.com/2017/06/26/ichiro-suzuki-oldest-start-cf/|title=Ichiro Oldest Player to Start in CF Since 1900|editor-first=John |editor-last=Flanigan|date=26 June 2017|access-date=28 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817075702/http://lwosports.com/2017/06/26/ichiro-suzuki-oldest-start-cf/|archive-date=17 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 29 June, Suzuki became the oldest active MLB player when [[Bartolo Colón]] was designated for assignment by the [[Atlanta Braves]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Clark |date=June 30, 2017 |title=Ichiro moves up to MLB's current oldest player |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article159204959.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713175130/http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article159204959.html |archive-date=13 July 2017 |access-date=13 July 2017 |website=[[Miami Herald]]}}</ref> although Colon latched on with the [[Minnesota Twins]] a few weeks later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2017 |title=Murphy: Bartolo Colón's Twins debut big, not too sexy |url=http://www.twincities.com/2017/07/18/murphy-bartolo-colons-twins-debut-big-not-too-sexy/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817075356/http://www.twincities.com/2017/07/18/murphy-bartolo-colons-twins-debut-big-not-too-sexy/ |archive-date=17 August 2017 |access-date=16 August 2017 |website=Twin Cities}}</ref> On 6 July, Suzuki hit two singles against the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], bringing his hits total to 3,054 and surpassing Panamanian-born [[Rod Carew]] as the all-time leader in MLB hits among foreign-born players.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370706124|title=Cardinals slip past Marlins for 4-3 win|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|date=7 July 2017|access-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707001918/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370706124|archive-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Dominican-born [[Adrian Beltre]] surpassed Suzuki as the foreign hits leader on 13 June 2018.<ref name="all-time foreign hits leader">{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23787047/adrian-beltre-tops-ichiro-suzuki-most-mlb-hits-foreign-born-player/|title=Adrian Beltre tops Ichiro Suzuki for most MLB hits by foreign-born player|work=[[espn.com]]|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171517/http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23787047/adrian-beltre-tops-ichiro-suzuki-most-mlb-hits-foreign-born-player/|archive-date=14 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 26 August, Suzuki set the Marlins' single-season franchise record for [[Pinch hitter|pinch-hits]] with his 22nd pinch hit.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370826128|title=Rojas' sacrifice fly helps Marlins beat Padres 2-1 in 11|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|date=27 August 2017|access-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827043430/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370826128|archive-date=27 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 September, he set a major league record for most pinch-hit at-bats in a season, with 84,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370903128|title=Williams drives in 2 in 12th to help Phils beat Marlins 3-1|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|date=4 September 2017|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904025257/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370903128|archive-date=4 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and four days later he set a major league record for most pinch-hit plate appearances in a season, with 95.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.marlins.mlb.com/news/article/253134060/marlins-ichiro-suzuki-nears-pinch-hit-record/|title=Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki nears pinch-hit record|website=Miami Marlins|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913124123/http://m.marlins.mlb.com/news/article/253134060/marlins-ichiro-suzuki-nears-pinch-hit-record/|archive-date=13 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 8 September, Suzuki became the sixth player all-time to hit 2,500 [[List of Major League Baseball career singles leaders|career singles]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/fish-bytes/article172182142.html|title=Ichiro tallies 2,500th career single|last=Spencer|first=Clark|work=Miami Herald|date=8 September 2017|access-date=18 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920100124/http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/fish-bytes/article172182142.html|archive-date=20 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the 8th right fielder of all-time to record over 4,000 [[List of Major League Baseball career putouts as a right fielder leaders|putouts at the position]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.baseballessential.com/news/2017/12/26/ichiro-suzuki-44-waits-for-mlb-opportunity/ |title=Ichiro Suzuki, 44, Waits for MLB Opportunity |last=Northrop |first=Chris |date=26 December 2017 |website=baseballessential.com |access-date=18 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121094055/http://www.baseballessential.com/news/2017/12/26/ichiro-suzuki-44-waits-for-mlb-opportunity/ |archive-date=21 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 1 October, Suzuki flied out in his last chance to tie [[John Vander Wal]]'s MLB record of 28 pinch hits in a season, finishing with 27.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/1/stanton-ends-with-59-braves-beat-marlins-8-5/|title=Stanton ends with 59 HRs, Braves beat Marlins 8-5|work=The Washington Times |last=Reynolds |first=Tim |agency=Associated Press |date=1 October 2017|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008080708/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/1/stanton-ends-with-59-braves-beat-marlins-8-5/|archive-date=8 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

For the season, he batted .255/.318/.332 with one stolen base (the first season in which he did not steal at least 10 bases).<ref name=bf/> After the season, the Marlins declined a $2 million club option for the 2018 season, instead paying Suzuki a $500,000 buyout.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/11/03/ichiro-suzuki-marlins-club-option-free-agency|title=Marlins Decline Club Option on Hit King Ichiro Suzuki, Making Him a Free Agent|first=Jon|last=Tayler|date=3 November 2017|access-date=7 March 2018|magazine=Sports Illustrated|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031056/https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/11/03/ichiro-suzuki-marlins-club-option-free-agency|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Return to the Mariners (2018&ndash;2019)===
====2018====
[[File:Ichiro Suzuki - Minnesota Twins - Opening Day vs Seattle Mariners (27394574508) (Cropped).jpg|250px|thumb|right|upright|Suzuki during his second stint with the Mariners in 2018]]
On 7 March 2018, Suzuki signed a one-year contract to return to the [[2018 Seattle Mariners season|Mariners]] after several team outfielders were injured during spring training.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2018 |title=Mariners re-sign Ichiro |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22678294/seattle-mariners-bring-back-ichiro-suzuki-1-year-deal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308042245/http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22678294/seattle-mariners-bring-back-ichiro-suzuki-1-year-deal |archive-date=8 March 2018 |access-date=7 March 2018 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> On [[Opening Day]], 29 March, against the [[Cleveland Indians]], Suzuki became the 20th outfielder all-time to record 5,000 [[List of Major League Baseball career putouts as an outfielder leaders|career putouts at the position]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The latest buzz around baseball star Ichiro Suzuki |url=http://nikkeivoice.ca/the-latest-buzz-around-baseball-star-ichiro-suzuki/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218083045/http://nikkeivoice.ca/the-latest-buzz-around-baseball-star-ichiro-suzuki/ |archive-date=18 February 2019 |access-date=18 February 2019 |website=Nikkei Voice}}</ref> At 44 years old, he entered the 2018 season as the second-oldest active player in baseball, behind only [[Bartolo Colón]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mintz |first1=Jake |last2=Shusterman |first2=Jordan |date=29 March 2018 |title=Ichiro became the 5th-oldest player to start Opening Day; here are the others |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/the-oldest-players-to-start-on-opening-day/c-269990206 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218081745/https://www.mlb.com/cut4/the-oldest-players-to-start-on-opening-day/c-269990206 |archive-date=18 February 2019 |access-date=17 February 2019 |website=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

On 3 May, the Mariners announced that Suzuki would move to the front office as a special assistant to the chairman for the remainder of the season,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=May 3, 2018 |title=Ichiro Suzuki Moves To Front Office Role, Will Not Continue Playing In 2018 |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/ichiro-suzuki-retire-mariners-front-office.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503214749/https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/ichiro-suzuki-retire-mariners-front-office.html |archive-date=3 May 2018 |access-date=3 May 2018 |website=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref> but Suzuki did not rule out a possible return as a player for the 2019 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gleeson |first=Scott  |date=3 May 2018 |title=Ichiro Suzuki says he will retire 'when I start using a cane' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/mariners/2018/05/03/ichiro-suzuki-retirement-seattle-mariners-front-office/579669002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623193604/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/mariners/2018/05/03/ichiro-suzuki-retirement-seattle-mariners-front-office/579669002/ |archive-date=23 June 2018 |access-date=3 July 2018 |website=USA TODAY Sports}}</ref> In his final game for the year on the previous day, he went 0-for-3 with a walk, a strikeout, and a run in a 3–2 loss to the [[Oakland Athletics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA201805020.shtml |title=Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners Box Score |date=2 May 2018 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=3 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504091835/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA201805020.shtml |archive-date=4 May 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> This would end up being his last game played at Safeco Field. In 15 games played with the [[2018 Seattle Mariners season|2018 Mariners]], Suzuki batted 9-for-44 (.205/.255/.205) without an extra base hit, stolen base, or RBI.

On 11 May, he became the interim bench coach for two games as manager [[Scott Servais]] was gone to attend his daughter's college graduation and regular bench coach [[Manny Acta]] was filling in as manager.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/05/11/baseball/mlb/ichiro-fill-mariners-bench-coach-weekend-series/|title=Ichiro to fill in as Mariners bench coach for weekend series|date=11 May 2018|work=The Japan Times Online|access-date=4 July 2018|language=en-US|issn=0447-5763|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093822/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/05/11/baseball/mlb/ichiro-fill-mariners-bench-coach-weekend-series/|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2019====
On 2 October 2018, it was announced that Suzuki would be on the Mariners' active roster when they opened the [[2019 MLB season|2019 season]] against the [[Oakland Athletics]] in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zucker|first1=Joseph|title=Ichiro Suzuki to Be Included on Mariners Roster for 2019 Japan Series|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2798751-ichiro-suzuki-to-be-included-on-mariners-roster-for-2019-japan-series|website=BleacherReport.com|date=2 October 2018|access-date=11 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112021716/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2798751-ichiro-suzuki-to-be-included-on-mariners-roster-for-2019-japan-series|archive-date=12 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Carroll|first1=Charlotte|title=Ichiro Expected On Mariners Roster for Japan Series To Open 2019 Regular Season|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/10/02/ichiro-suzuki-mariners-japan-series-opens-2019-regular-season|website=SI.com|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=2 October 2018|access-date=11 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112101346/https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/10/02/ichiro-suzuki-mariners-japan-series-opens-2019-regular-season|archive-date=12 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Suzuki was re-signed to a minor league deal on 23 January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johns |first=Greg  |date=23 January 2019 |title=Source: Ichiro inks Minors deal with Mariners |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/mariners-ichiro-suzuki-have-minor-league-deal/c-303026988 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124203314/https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/mariners-ichiro-suzuki-have-minor-league-deal/c-303026988 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |access-date=24 January 2019 |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

On 20 March 2019, the Mariners opened the MLB season against the Athletics at the [[Tokyo Dome]] and Suzuki started the game in right field, becoming at 45 years old the second oldest position player (behind [[Julio Franco]]) to start for a team on its opening day.<ref name="c532">{{cite web | last=Langs | first=Sarah | title=Oldest players to start Opening Day | website=MLB.com | date=2019-03-20 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/oldest-players-to-start-on-opening-day | access-date=2024-09-17}}</ref> The next night, the Mariners again played the Athletics at the Tokyo Dome and Suzuki played in his final professional game. He went 0–4 at the plate and in the bottom of the eighth inning walked off the field to applause.<ref>{{ cite web | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2826954-report-legend-ichiro-suzuki-to-retire-after-nearly-30-years-in-mlb-japan | title=Legend Ichiro Suzuki Retiring After Nearly 30 Years in MLB, Japan | work=[[Bleacher Report]] | author=Mike Chiari | date=21 March 2019 | access-date=21 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322025921/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2826954-report-legend-ichiro-suzuki-to-retire-after-nearly-30-years-in-mlb-japan | archive-date=22 March 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref> Later in the day, Suzuki officially announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johns|first1=Greg|title=Ichiro announces retirement after emotional finale|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ichiro-in-lineup-for-opening-series-finale|website=MLB.com|publisher=[[MLB]]|date=21 March 2019|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321122513/https://www.mlb.com/news/ichiro-in-lineup-for-opening-series-finale|archive-date=21 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the oldest active MLB player at the time.<ref name="e790">{{cite web | last=Leitch | first=Will | title=Oldest players in Major League Baseball | website=MLB.com | date=2019-03-21 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/oldest-players-in-major-league-baseball | access-date=2024-09-17}}</ref>

2019 was Suzuki's 19th season in the MLB, and including the nine years he played in Japan's NPB, Suzuki's 28 seasons of playing in baseball's top-tiered leagues<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=suzuki001ich|title=Ichiro Suzuki Japanese Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/03/24/figure-skating/yuzuru-hanyu-gushes-retiring-baseball-star-ichiro-suzuki/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325113843/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/03/24/figure-skating/yuzuru-hanyu-gushes-retiring-baseball-star-ichiro-suzuki/|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 March 2019|title=Yuzuru Hanyu gushes about retiring baseball star Ichiro Suzuki|date=24 March 2019|via=Japan Times Online}}</ref> eclipsed the record of most seasons played by a position player held previously by 19th century MLB player [[Cap Anson]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/leaders_most_seasons.shtml|title=Most Seasons Played|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> (MLB pitcher [[Nolan Ryan]], like Anson, also played 27 seasons,<ref name="auto"/> while NPB pitcher [[Kimiyasu Kudo]] played 29 seasons).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=kudoh-001kim|title=Kimiyasu Kudo Japanese & Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

On 30 April 2019, Suzuki renewed his role with the Mariners from the previous year as special assistant to the chairman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/333aca287e7b4fc9ba5d609f918b0458|title=Ichiro Suzuki back with Mariners as special assistant|first=Tim|last=Booth|date=1 May 2019|website=AP NEWS}}</ref>