Ichiro Suzuki reflects on early days in Seattle, quickly being comfortable so career could take off‎

When Ichiro Suzuki landed in Seattle and became an instant star in 2001, captivating a city and helping his new team win an AL-record 116 games, he acclimated to his new life in practically no time largely because he had already been around the club during spring training a couple of years before. As Suzuki looks back decades later on those early days in a Mariners uniform, now a Hall of Famer and 51 years old still giving himself to the game at every chance, the speedy leadoff hitter is beyond grateful for the bonds then between Seattle and his previous club in Japan, Orix Blue Wave. “That whole relationship before even coming over to Seattle in 2001, it was already there, that relationship was set,” Suzuki said Friday, speaking through interpreter Allen Turner on a call organized by the Hall of Fame.