Just watched this interview. I have a new found respect for Ichiro,he has more respect for the game than many than many baseball people I know. Worth watching.
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Thanks, will watch! I had a friend who was a bench coach several years ago for Seattle. He told me lots of interesting stories about Ichiro and his preparations on game day. He said he could look at his watch and tell you exactly what Ichiro was doing on game day down to the exact number of grapes that he would eat at the same time each day! Went to several games and Ichiro was very accommodating to my son and even signed a jersey for him.
20 DAd
During our Japan/USA Goodwill Series for 17 years, we had the opportunity to meet with Ichiro before he signed with the Mariners. Jim Colborn then International Mariners scout and my son Robert, Mariners scout for China met Ichiro when he played on the Japan team.
Are you watching the Japan/MLB Series?
Our American NS National teams have played in the Stadiums against the Japan National teams.
Bob
hi Bob,yes I did watch the all star series.listening to the guys in the booth comment about how many innings some of the USA guys had played this year. With post season,etc.really opened my eyes.
watching baseball in any country,this time of year isn a bonus.
Listening to what Ichiro does with his bats was eye opening.climate controllers case.making sure his gloves were cleaned,etc. like he said all the preperation players go through to play,it was a natural thing to take care of your equipment.
20Dad;
Maybe you can join our 3 teams for travel to Australia Dec 18 to 3 Jan. You can watch 36 games in Perth [most isolated city in the World] and Adelaide [Old England]. 95 degrees.
Did you know Ichiro was a pitcher in HS. In Spring Training, I watched Edgar Martinez track the 105 mph baseball from the pitching, Ichiro was swinging at the 105 mph in the batting cages.
It was a great interview... His "favorite american saying" is ridiculously funny!!!
Great interview. I have a whole new respect for him. Very impressed by his humility and respect for the game.
Favorite American expression, priceless!
Not safe for folks that find curse words offensive...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtImIqR5neU
Originally Posted by 20dad:
Just watched this interview. I have a new found respect for Ichiro,he has more respect for the game than many than many baseball people I know. Worth watching.
+1. I also thought it was worth watching.
Is there a link?
This is probably a new interview, but I do remember seeing one several years back. The same feeling came over me that many are expressing in this thread. He talked about how he did not understand why players abused their equipment because if they perform poorly, it is not the bat or gloves fault.
He went on to say it is a sign of disrespect to the game, fans etc. He even mentioned how he would not damage the equipment because a craftsman put his time and effort into creating it, so it was disrespectful to them as well. Needless to say that is a very Oriental way of seeing things, and I found it refreshing that he is such an insightful, humble, and well mannered player. MLB and all sports need more guys of his character.
Vector, what you say is very true. Years ago when my son played in the Alaskan College League one of the Korean players from UH asked to use is !B mitt.
After the game Robert asked for the glove. The young man said NO!!!
He said "I have to clean it first".
For 17 years years our American HS "All Stars" played the Korean and Japan National Teams in 17 Goodwill Series.
Bob