Masterpress/Getty Images(TOKYO) — Ichiro Suzuki is said to be retiring Thursday after nearly two decades in the MLB.
ESPN has confirmed that the 45-year-old right fielder told the Seattle Mariners of his plans to leave the sport after the team’s game against the Oakland Athletics in Tokyo.
Suzuki exited Thursday’s game in the eighth inning. He waved to the crowd in his native Japan, receiving a standing ovation, and hugged his teammates.
He finished the game 0-for-4, grounding out in his final at-bat.
Since making his MLB debut in 2001, Suzuki has amassed a .311 batting average with 3,089 hits, 117 home runs, 780 RBIs and 509 stolen bases.
He has been named an All-Star 10 times, won the Gold Glove award 10 times and was named both the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2001.
Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.