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Ichiro won't talk about jealous teammates, divisive clubhouse

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Until May at the earliest.

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Who cares what some Putz thinks! Go Ichiro!

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Who cares what some Putz thinks! Go Ichiro!

Although Ichiro is NOT my favorite player, I would have to agree with you that Putz's comments last year does not carry much weight (since Putz really has been in the majors for only 6 years; with only TWO GOOD years as a closer) to Ichiro's eight years. From listening to the American Major League commentators for ESPN, during the World Baseball Classic, it seems that with all the comments made, the majority of people in MLB still respects Ichiro and the things that he has done. I on the other hand would respect Ichiro more, if he could only take a more leadership role, and be more personable, like Akinori Iwamura of the Tampa Bay Rays. At least Aki has gone out of his way to talk to fans by starting a blog, and develop close bonds with his teammates. I was not surprised that he even went over to give J.P. Howell (his Tampa teammate) a hug before they played each other during the U.S.-Japan semifinal game in the WBC.

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Hero one day in Japan, and goat the next in America. Interesting. Maybe Japanese team mates were more willing to put up with his ego because they only played together for like four weeks and ten or so games. But 152 games spread over 6 months, and with all the travel, might be another story.

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"Ichiro didn’t want to spend time talking about jealous teammates"

Isn't this an opinion best left for the "letters to the editor" section ? And shouldn't the author spend the first part of this story explaining the background behind this opinion ? I follow the Mariners very closely, I've never heard or witnessed anything to do with jealousy in the clubhouse at anytime.

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herefornow: In Japan it's not a matter of 'putting up with the man'. Japanese would throw themselves under buses for Ichiro despite the fact that he didn't perform in the WBC until the very end (when it really counted, I will admit).

Still, as I said during many posts on the WBC, Ichiro is even disliked by many of his own teammates for his divisive attitude, arrogance, and what not, and many admonished me for it. Well, here you go. While what some of what Ichiro said (of course, all through a translator since he long ago refused to learn English because he 'is Japanese' -- his words!) is bang on, he still does the usual condescending, and therefore can't be taken seriously. I mean, in the same breath the guy says, "We are all on the same level -- it's like a mother talking to a child".

Anyway, I do also agree with some on here that some of the teammates are pretty quick to judge when their own record is not too stellar, and not nearly as long. I'm happy to see Ichiro back in the Majors, where I honestly believe he can put his well documented fear and hatred of Korea at bay, and can get down to some real playing as a result. I do think he is an excellent player, or was, anyway, but hate his attitude and personality, as evidently many of his teammates do, too.

3ringsircus: "I follow the Mariners very closely, I've never heard or witnessed anything to do with jealousy in the clubhouse at anytime."

I think the word 'jealous' is either definitely the authour's opinion, or a kind of take on Ichiro's opinion of what's going on (he has said he is the greatest). Other than there, there has DEFINITELY been tension between Ichiro and his teammates, some of which has nearly led to fights (you can find it in plenty of news articles). Jealousy? I have no doubt that some players are jealous of Ichiro to an extent, but it also sounds a little over-the-top in other cases.

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Why's he still talking through a translator???

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kanadamanada: "Why's he still talking through a translator???"

One of the reasons why he is still loathed by a number of people, and in particular some of his teammates. He said when embarking on what has become an amazing career with the Mariners that he refused to learn English and his wife could do it for him (or the translators). I'm sure he knows more English than when he initially refused to learn it, as this is not Japan and you cannot get by over there without at least a few words, and even with all the translators at your disposal.

Anyway, for anyone who wants to jump on me for this, I just want to clarify that I am against ANYONE, ANYWHERE who says, "I won't learn the (target) language, because I am (nationality)", and that goes double for foreigners who come to Japan. Language is a key to culture. Being unable to learn it is one thing, refusing to even try is just plain insulting.

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Anyway, for anyone who wants to jump on me for this, I just want to clarify that I am against ANYONE, ANYWHERE who says, "I won't learn the (target) language, because I am (nationality)", and that goes double for foreigners who come to Japan. Language is a key to culture. Being unable to learn it is one thing, refusing to even try is just plain insulting.

Well, then you should be against most Americans and other English-speaking nationalities who believe that non-English-speaking natives must learn to speak English to them in countries where English is not the primary or, even, secondary language.

Moderator: Back on topic please.

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Ichiro does speak English. He just doesn't speak English to the press. Go to any M's game (home or away) when he's shagging outfield flies or around the batting cages "talking" to his teammates. I sincerely doubt the other guys are speaking Japanese.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-ichirospeech071508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

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to quote another JT poster from a previous article

Ichiro is just like Vince Carter in the NBA. An incredibly gifted athlete who will never lead a team anywhere, because he's just too selfish. True stars make those around them better, will carry a team on their backs when necessary, and on some nights win games that they shouldn't through sheer force of will. These two clowns are obsessed with their own stats and fat contracts.

not to mention that on road trips Ichiro stays in a separate hotel than the team does. you know who else was pined for doing this.. A-Rod.

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Ichiro providing us with more Japanese culture 101. When faced with something unpleasant, just refuse to acknowledge its presence. Kinda like staying in a different hotels from unpleasant gaijin teammates...

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