Marlins add Ichiro as fourth outfielder
Reports surfaced today that the Marlins signed 41-year-old outfielder Ichiro Suzuki to a one-year deal worth about $2 million. He will join a young outfield corps that includes Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, and Christian Yelich, who are 25, 24, and 23 years of age respectively. If nothing else, he will be a fun presence of leadership in the clubhouse.
Ichiro has long played in the American League, for the Mariners and Yankees, and hardly resembles his once-premier self. 10 years ago, the Mariners were cutting the infield grass at Safeco Field a bit longer so he could leg out infield hits. In 2005, he became the first player to record 200 hits in each of his first five MLB seasons. And 2011 was the first year he failed to record 200 hits in his career. Between his professional time in Japan and Major League career, Ichiro has eclipsed the 4,000 hit mark. He is a hallmark and fan-favorite in the Mariners community and across baseball.
A left-handed hitter who makes contact and sprays the ball around as well as anyone in the game, Ichiro is an asset to come off the bench late in games and start as needed. Ichiro has never played at Marlins Park, and has only ever recorded 41 at-bats against the Marlins in his career.
One more note: In 2007, Ichiro became the first, and to this day only, player to hit an inside-the-park home run in the MLB All-Star Game.
Mariners unveil new alternate uniforms
On Friday, the Seattle Mariners unveiled a new uniform set that they plan to wear primarily during Sunday afternoon home games. The color scheme is the old blue and gold that Seattle donned before 1993. The colors overlay the modern Mariners font for a nifty new look. The jerseys are cream-colored with blue piping, and the hat is a royal blue with a yellow (call it gold if you want to) “S.”
The socks to go along with this getup are blue with horizontal yellow stripes towards the knee. They come in stirrup style to. This has Brad Miller written all over it.
As slick as these are, the Mariners’ teal jerseys are still the best the team has–the best baseball has for that matter. By the way, Seattle is no longer a push-over in the AL West. They have added Nelson Cruz, who led the Major Leagues in home runs last season, and still have the American League’s best pitcher in Felix Hernandez.
SunTrust Park Update
The Braves still plan to open SunTrust Park as their new home for the start of the 2017 season. This development is a whole
new approach to baseball.
The last revolution of baseball stadiums incorporated the ballparks into the existing city. Baltimore started it, San Diego, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle, and more did fantastic jobs. Atlanta, however, is building the park miles from downtown, but is putting up an entire complex of entertainment to go along with the stadium. Branding it as a “play, work, stay” destination, the Braves promise the mixed-use facility will be utilized year round.
They broke ground back in September, and the land has been completely cleared. For the latest renderings, photos, and information on SunTrust Park, visit HomeOfTheBraves.com. This park will be the newest MLB venue since Marlins Park opened in 2012.
The Top Step 