Ichiro Suzuki has been described as a loaner throughout his time in Seattle, but he has been happier in 2009 largely because of Ken Griffey Jr. ?This,? trainer Rick Griffin said, ?is the happiest I?ve seen Ichiro since 2001.? ?It?s fun to come to the clubhouse every day and just watch him, listen to him,? Ichiro said. ?He?s like a different creature than the rest of us. It?s like he?s from a different planet. ?That?s what we?ve been missing here, that?s the hole he?s filled, that?s what he does. He brings a team together just by being himself.? Griffey is asked about Ichiro. ?Ichiro?s smart, but he?s still a little uncomfortable with some things. Put yourself in Japan, you?d have the same thing to deal with,? he said. ?I?ve never found him standoffish, but this isn?t his country. He?s still learning things. He?s cautious.? Junior laughs loudly, then says, ?I love messing with him.?