Ichiro Suzuki, renowned by his first name alone, celebrated his 50th birthday on October 22. He continues to display his exceptional skills!
The former MLB All-Star, Gold Glove Award winner, Silver Slugger Award winner, and future Hall of Famer took to the mound in his home country of Japan on Tuesday. Ichiro faced off against a lineup of high school girls and effortlessly dominated.
While Ichiro spent the majority of his 19-year career as a centerfielder, he started as a pitcher in his younger days and occasionally returns to the position. His performance this week was his most impressive yet.
Ichiro threw a total of 116 pitches, resulting in a complete-game shutout against an all-star team of Japanese high school girls. He allowed only five hits and two walks while striking out nine batters in nine innings. Additionally, he contributed to his own success by registering two hits, including a double, at the plate!
50-year-old Ichiro Suzuki showcased his skills by pitching a complete-game shutout, throwing 116 pitches against a high school girls team. He achieved nine strikeouts, with his fastest pitch reaching 86 MPH. He also went 2-for-5 at the plate, including a double.
This is not the first time such an event has taken place!
Back in 2021, Ichiro threw 147 pitches during a similar exhibition game. He later hit home runs during a local high school practice and even shattered a window with a 425-foot bomb earlier this month. The school preserved the broken glass as a form of “motivation.”
A beloved figure in his home country, Ichiro eagerly participates in baseball as often as he can!
Despite his impressive performance, Ichiro displayed visible frustration on Tuesday after striking out on three pitches.
The girl who struck him out couldn’t contain her excitement and wore a beaming smile.
Imagine being a high school girl and proudly sharing with your friends that you struck out Ichiro Suzuki.
Ichiro has never been known for his fastball, and during his nine-inning outing, he reached a maximum speed of 86mph. Nevertheless, this is still quite significant for a high school team, and his breaking balls are incredibly effective.
Although Ichiro didn’t frequently pitch in the professional league, he was renowned for his slider.
How can one not admire Ichiro?! Showcasing his abilities against high school girls purely for enjoyment creates an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
According to the Source brobible.com