CINCINNATI, Ohio — Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen, who grew up in Spokane, Washington, has been a devoted Seattle Mariners fan since childhood, holding a lasting admiration for Ichiro Suzuki. Now an established major leaguer, Rasmussen’s respect for Ichiro remains strong as the Mariners prepare to retire Suzuki’s jersey in Seattle this August.
Ichiro Suzuki, the legendary hitter, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, this past Sunday. Suzuki played with the Mariners from 2001 to 2012, returning for his final seasons in 2018 and 2019. He amassed over 3,000 hits in Major League Baseball after an impressive nine-year career in professional Japanese baseball.
Memories of Following Ichiro Throughout His Career
Rasmussen shared his excitement about Ichiro’s Hall of Fame induction, describing Suzuki as one of the few childhood athletes he consistently admired. He recalled special moments attending games with his family at Safeco Field, where Ichiro was always a player to watch eagerly.
“That’s really cool. He’s one of a couple guys from my childhood that I grew up rooting for and cheering on every single day. At the time when my parents or my grandparents would take me to a game at Safeco — (the stadium name) at the time — he was one of the players that I always looked forward to seeing.” — Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
Although Rasmussen has never gotten Ichiro’s autograph, he hopes to achieve that in the coming Seattle series. The Rays will be in Seattle from August 8 to 10 for a weekend dedicated to celebrating Suzuki, culminating with the Mariners retiring his jersey on August 9.
“No, I never (got his autograph), but I’m hoping we can try to fulfill that dream when we’re in Seattle this year. That would be a really special one, that’s for sure.” — Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
Looking Forward to Suzuki’s Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Rasmussen expressed anticipation for attending the jersey retirement event, recognizing Ichiro’s immense influence on the Mariners organization and the game as a whole. He emphasized how Suzuki’s career has a personal significance, having been an idol during his formative years as a Mariners fan.
“I’m pretty sure that we’re there for his jersey retirement in Seattle, and I’m really looking forward to seeing that. Like I said, he was one of my childhood heroes, and for him to go into the Hall of Fame and see his jersey retirement in a couple of weeks is a really cool experience.” — Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
Rasmussen also acknowledged Suzuki’s foundational role in shaping the Mariners franchise, highlighting his exceptional talent and longevity as a player in Seattle.
“The organization wouldn’t be where they are without him. He was so good and so special for such a long time in Seattle. That’s what hits close to home for me. It was an honor and a blessing watching him play growing up. It’ll definitely be a special couple of weeks.” — Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
Fond Game-Day Memories and Early Experiences as a Fan
At 30 years old and entering his sixth major league season, Rasmussen fondly recounted a memorable walk-off moment he witnessed as a child in the early 2000s. Sitting just a few rows behind the Mariners’ dugout, young Rasmussen and his grandfather debated whether to leave early, only to watch Ichiro’s team pull off a dramatic comeback.
“It was probably in the early 2000s, and I remember a walk-off hit one night. We were sitting 10-15 rows behind the home dugout and I’m trying to think if he got the hit or scored the run.” — Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
“It was one of those things where my grandpa was saying, ‘we’re down 3-1 in the eighth, maybe we can beat traffic.’ And he let a 6-7-8 year-old talk him into staying. And sure enough, they ended up walking off. I can’t even remember who they were playing, but you’re sitting there thinking, ‘if we can just get to Ichiro, he’ll come through.’ ” — Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
Rasmussen’s Growing Legacy Among Tampa Bay Fans
Today, Rasmussen has grown into a fan favorite himself in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. This season marked his first All-Star Game appearance, and he continues to deliver strong performances, holding a 7-5 record with a 2.93 earned run average. Over his career, he has compiled a 27-17 win-loss tally with a solid 2.95 ERA.
Rasmussen’s journey from a young fan captivated by Ichiro to an accomplished major league pitcher illustrates the lasting impact Ichiro Suzuki’s career has had, not only on Mariners fans but also on baseball players who grew up watching him.