Ichiro Suzuki Statue Unveiled at T-Mobile Park in Seattle

A new statue of Ichiro Suzuki was revealed on April 10 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The statue is a bronze sculpture honoring the Hall of Famer and is the latest addition to a collection celebrating franchise legends, including Ken Griffey Jr. The reveal event was attended by a small crowd of reporters and team greats.

During the ceremony, a mishap occurred when the bat in the statue's depiction of Suzuki's iconic stance bent backward and spun, but it was quickly fixed. The statue was the result of a months-long collaboration between the Seattle Mariners, Ichiro Suzuki, and sculptor Lou Cella of Rotblatt Amrany Fine Art Studio in Chicago.

The Mariners chose to depict Suzuki in his 2001 rookie year uniform, a choice that Suzuki supported by wearing the jersey as a sample during the design process.

"I was happy that I was still able to fit in that uniform," Suzuki said through an interpreter. Suzuki's Hall of Fame career included time with the Miami Marlins and New York Mets, and he retired with the Seattle Mariners in 2019. In 2001, he won both the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, while the Mariners achieved an American League record with 116 wins.

The statue is now on display at the Mariners' stadium for fans to view.