MLBWeird But True

Ichiro Suzuki Will Play In Seattle Tonight — While Wearing Pinstripes

10-time All Star and Seattle Mariner legend Ichiro Suzuki was traded to the New York Yankees just a few hours ago for two pitching prospects. And — check this out — he’ll play for the Yankees tonight at Safeco Field.

The career Mariner, Ichiro will fill a need at left field for the Yankees, who gave up reliever D.J. Mitchell and minor-league right-hander Danny Farquhar. And just like that, a career that spans 12 storied years in Seattle as the MLB’s first Japanese-born position player has been turned on its head. After hitting .322, stealing 438 bases and slapping 2,533 hits as a Mariner, Ichiro will switch coasts and play for the team with the current best record in the majors.

It turns out that the 38-year-old Ichiro approached the Mariners about a trade a few weeks ago, when he realized he was surrounded by relative kids and playing on a losing team. And the Yankees were in the market for a outfielder after hearing that Brett Gardner would be done for the year. The rest is now history.

In the biggest mind-trip about this whole shocking trade, said Mariners will be playing host to those same Yankees tonight in Seattle, and Ichiro will batting ninth eighth (thanks @dbartiomo) for his new team. Against his old team. From a few hours ago. Is that a fastest turnaround for player to return “home” after being traded away? Things will be dramatic at Safeco tonight, and we envy those who will be in attendance. Which of you had a ticket before two hours ago?

I mean, just look at Ichiro’s reaction:

“When I imagined taking off a Mariners uniform, I was overcome with sadness.”

And yet:

“Going from a team with the most losses to the team with the most wins, it’s hard to contain my excitement.”

See? A roller coaster of emotions.

Getty image via

Follow @ericgoldschein