Ichiro cheered at Tokyo Dome as Mariners top A's 9-7 in opener

After watching the game Monday (I am assuming they are using MLB baseballs) and then watching the game last night I am wondering if the ball is juiced or if the airflow pattern in the dome blows out.

Ichiro's walk was classic Ichiro. Hope he plays again tonight!

Was great to see Marco Gonzales start and he settled down well for the 4th through 6th innings. I think the Mariners may surprise some folks this year.

Tokyo, having won 89 games last year I don't think it'd be that surprising. Who do you pull for?

JC - Yes they had a good year but traded some very good players (Diaz, Seguro, Paxton, Cano, Cruz, etc.). I think a lot of folks figure them to finish further down in the division this year due the fact they have stated this is supposed to be the start of rebuilding the franchise.

On the other hand they did add some good players.

I think the Mariners have can surprise folks, especially if Felix Hernandez can figure out how to get back on track and the other pitchers can perform to their potential. I also like Marco Gonzales and think he has tremendous potential.

I am a S.F. Giants fan but I also really like watching the Mariners....back to the days of Ichiro, Edgar Martines, Griffey, Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Buhner, et. all.....

It is amazing they once had 4 or 5 hall of famers (or potential hall of famers) on the roster simultaneously...

Too bad the Mariners are one of two or three teams that have never been to the World Series. I was into the Braves back in the day also when there were four Hall of Fame players together for 10 years, but at least they did win it all once.

Ichiro honestly didn't look all that bad from the highlights I caught considering he has now become the oldest player ever to start a Major League game.

I knew about Cano and Cruz (a fan favorite when with my O's). Hadn't realized they'd gone into a fuller rebuild. And yes that team that peaked at 116 wins was amazing. A lot of Americans were pulling for them against the Yanks. They've not been to the playoffs since, I don't think. I'm hoping to take in a Giants game again this summer. Also our annual ballgame at Camden Yards. It's late March so anyone can dream.

And now he's officially retired

Ichiro = LEGEND!! Amazing watching him still performing great in Tokyo!

he has now become the oldest player ever to start a Major League game.

Look, its not surprising. Ichiro trains more than any pro baseball player. Perfect nutrition. He is still as fit as a 25-year-old, at 45. Age is only a number. Play on, Ichiro, play on!!

And now he's officially retired

He said he will try and play until he is 50. Look at King Kazu, in Soccer. over 50 and still one of the best in the business.

He said he will try and play until he is 50. Look at King Kazu, in Soccer. over 50 and still one of the best in the business.

Ichiro announced his retirement.

And in looking at what matters (not his fitness, or his nutrition, or any of the other junk you're trying to bring into the conversation), he should have retired years ago. His ability to play baseball at the professional level has plummeted over the past few years.

The only reason the Marlins brought him on after the Yankees cut him was to have a ticket draw on his pursuit of 3000 hits.

The only reason the Mariners signed him was to give him his chance to tip his hat in the uniform most remember him by. This is done by many teams and athletes, where players will sign a so-called 'one day contract' to retire with their classic team. Matsui did it, Jerry Rice did it in the NFL, although for most it's literally a one day contract that's really just a glorified press conference/retirement ceremony.

An excellent career! Domo arigato gozaimasu Suzuki Sensei.