Young Marlins, veteran Ichiro proving to be a perfect fit
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki has played in 2,226 big-league games over 15 seasons. He has experienced baseball's theatrics and camaraderie.
And yet, at 41 years old, Suzuki was nearly moved to tears during Wednesday night's 7-3 victory over the New York Mets at Marlins Park.
In a 4-3 ballgame with runners at the corners and one out in the eighth inning, Suzuki hoped to tack on an insurance run against Miami's National League East division rival. As he fouled off pitch-after-pitch from lefty Alex Torres, fans began chanting his name.
On the eighth offering, he sent a 93 mph fastball over the right-field fence for a three-run homer. Rounding the bases, the cheers grew louder. His teammates motioned to him from the dugout and enthusiastically greeted him upon his return. A few minutes later, he stood at the dugout's railing to tip his cap to the fans giving him a standing ovation.
"Obviously I heard them during the at-bat, but when I hit the home run -- just to see my teammates so happy and the fans so happy -- I was very moved and I almost cried," Suzuki said through interpreter Allen Turner. "I was very moved. Hitting the home run, I was very happy about, but I was happier because my teammates were there and they were happy. To me, that was way bigger than the actual hitting the home run for me. Special moments in a career -- I don't think are created by the player but it is created by others. And that's what happened tonight."
Starter Mat Latos, who exited the game in the fifth inning with a left hamstring strain, watched the blast from inside the clubhouse.
"I was sitting right there on the couch trying not to jump up and down," Latos said. "That was awesome."
Though Suzuki signed a one-year deal with the Marlins in January to be the club's fourth outfielder, he has appeared in all 22 games. After serving almost exclusively in a pinch-hit role EARLY on, he has taken over the starting job in left field with Christian Yelich on the disabled list. He closed out the first month of the season batting .263 with nine runs, a triple, a homer and five RBI.
Wednesday's shot marked just his third career homer in an NL park, joining long balls at Dodger Stadium (July 6, 2001) and Busch Stadium (June 14, 2010).
"To be able to have a guy -- not only the type of player but the person -- this guy's off the charts," manager Mike Redmond said. "He's having fun. You can't help but get excited when a guy gets a big hit tonight. So fun. I was fired up not just for us but him too. It was a heck of an at-bat. It's worked out great. He loves to play. He wants to be a part of it. He wants to be in a big situation, and he definitely showed what he can do tonight."
Although he may be the oldest player on the roster, old enough to be the father of some of his teammates, Suzuki has fit right in in the clubhouse. He also serves as an example to the young guys that someone as accomplished as him can still have fun playing the game.
Asked whether the responses he received on Wednesday from both fans and his teammates finally made him feel at home in Miami, Suzuki disagreed.
"I was already at home here, to be honest with you," Suzuki said. "After three days here I was at home. With all the nice things and how everybody has treated me I've definitely been at home."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
