Ichiro Relieved By Standing Ovation At Safeco

Ichiro Suzuki was traded to the Yankees just hours before the team opened a three-game series against the Mariners in Seattle.

The outfielder, a 10-time All-Star and veteran of 11-plus seasons with the Mariners, held an emotional press conference before joining New York's clubhouse.

"Obviously, it looks different being over here," Suzuki said through a translator. "I was worried about my first at-bat. I was really relieved with the standing ovation. It was a special day today."

Hitting eighth, he singled in his first at-bat.

The crowd gave Suzuki a 45-second standing ovation when he came to bat for the first time in the third inning. He doffed his helmet and bowed twice before hitting a single and stealing second base.

"My 11 1/2 years here is a long time and I was thinking what I would feel like in my first at-bat," Suzuki said. "I really didn't think anything. Nothing came to me. It was just a wonderful day to experience that."

Via Associated Press

New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Misc Rumor

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