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'Mr. Ichiro is like a god' — Japanese players on Mariners icon, Japan series

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We checked in with Ichiro Suzuki’s countrymen about the importance of MLB’s regular-season return to Tokyo and his role.
The Major League Baseball regular season will be getting underway in Japan on Wednesday when the Seattle Mariners face the Oakland Athletics in the Tokyo Dome (broadcast on ESPN at 5:30 a.m. ET). It will mark the fifth time Major League Baseball has played regular-season games across the Pacific and the first time since 2012. MLB Season Opener on ESPN
The Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics start the 2019 season in the Tokyo Dome on ESPN. Wednesday, 5:30 a.m. ET:Marco Gonzales (SEA) vs. Mike Fiers (OAK)Thursday, 5:30 a.m. ET: Yusei Kikuchi (SEA) vs. Marco Estrada (OAK)
Adding to the excitement surrounding the two-game series is that it also marks Ichiro Suzuki’s second trip back to his home country to play as a major leaguer. Now entering his 19th season in the major leagues after nine seasons spent playing in the Japanese leagues, the future Hall of Famer also played in the 2012 series in Japan — and for the Mariners then as now.
With Suzuki’s career nearing its end, ESPN’s Marly Rivera sat down with four prominent Japanese stars currently playing for MLB teams: right-handed pitchers Yu Darvish of the Chicago Cubs and Masahiro Tanaka of the New York Yankees; two-way star Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels; and Suzuki’s teammate on the Mariners, left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, with the assistance of translators for Tanaka, Ohtani and Kikuchi.
Tanaka: It’s hard to explain how big of a thing it is for Japanese fans to have regular-season games take place in Japan. Having major league players travel a great distance to go to Japan and actually play in that market, it means something. It sends a message to the fans. It’s very positive for the Japanese market and for Japanese baseball fans. Editor’s PicksIchiro, 45, doesn’t know when it’ll be time to quit
Ichiro Suzuki is enjoying it while he can. Ichiro will be in lineup for opener in Tokyo
Ichiro Suzuki struggled at the plate this spring and went hitless in two exhibition games in Tokyo, but he will start against the A’s Wednesday in the league’s opening game.
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Ichiro Suzuki is enjoying it while he can.
Ichiro Suzuki struggled at the plate this spring and went hitless in two exhibition games in Tokyo, but he will start against the A’s Wednesday in the league’s opening game.
Kikuchi: In Japan, baseball culture is huge, and they really respect the major leagues. I was one of those kids that always looked up to major leaguers.

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