Ichiro hitless as Mariners beat Yomiuri 6-4 in exhibition game

Sad to say but this is getting harder and harder to watch. Ichiro is well past his prime, and it seems he is the only one that does not know it. He was placed on the major league roster of the Mariners for this exhibition series, and when he goes back to the states, he is back in the front office or in the minor leagues.

No reason to feel sad. He has had an amazing career and it is super cool that I will be able to see him play tomorrow as I take my son to his second pro ball game. The Samurai's win over the MLB Allstars was his first. Inspiring the future generations is what he is doing. Whether he continues this season is irrelevant to me.

hooktrunk2: "Whether he continues this season is irrelevant to me."

And yet you're going to see him play.

He was indeed a great player, but that is past tense, and he should have retired while the going was good. I can understand the desire to keep going, but the body doesn't lie.

There must not be anything else he wants to do..

@obladi I must agree with your comment. And I hope he makes a smooth transition to the next stage.

Inspiring the future generations is what he is doing. Whether he continues this season is irrelevant to me.

When you realize the truth about how Ichiro got to where he is, there are inspirational parts to the story of course, but there is a load of pain too.

Far too many Japanese overlook the problems of Ichiro and only his accomplishments. Time to open up one&s eyes, he is not the type to emulate, particularly at the price he has paid!

There must not be anything else he wants to do..

He is not a mentor, nor coach, hence his position in the front office. I hardly see he returning to Japan to "work" either. Maybe he is better off in the front office of the Mariners.

From Moneyball, "We're all told we can no longer play the child's game. Some are told at 18 and some at 40, but we're all told". He would probably never be a good coach but he'll be a great ambassador for the game. Thanks for the memories.

From the interview with Ichiro in the Japanese press it sounded like he just wanted to get one hit as a last hurrah in support of all the fans that had come out as well as those watching at home. There are obviously not any plans to resume full time play (if that were even possible). Maybe once an anti-aging pill gets invented, but a lot of athletes must have that in the back of their minds.