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The Ichiro Pre-ALL Star Game Speech

Apparently Ichiro does a speech at the All-Star Game to the players right after the manager's speech.  It's secret has now been revealed thanks to Jeff Passan.

“It’s why we win,” David Ortiz said.

He pointed to Ichiro Suzuki, the Seattle Mariners’ wisp of an outfielder, a man who still uses a translator to do interviews with English-speaking reporters – and happens to be baseball’s amalgam of Anthony Robbins and George Carlin. Every year, after the AL manager addresses his team, Ichiro bursts from his locker, a bundle of kinetic energy, and proceeds, in English, to disparage the National League with an H-bomb of F-bombs, stunning first-timers who had no idea Ichiro speaks the queen’s language fluently and making returnees happy that they had played well enough to see the pep talk again.

The tradition began in 2001, Ichiro’s first All-Star appearance, and the AL hasn’t lost a game since. Coincidence?

Um. No.

 I have to admit, just imagining the little guy doing this is hilarious to me.

2 recs  |  Comment 8 comments

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I've heard that he's fluent

and that the “I only speak Japanese” thing is just an act. Pretty funny.

by JBImaknee on Jul 15, 2008 11:55 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

BP

You ever see that guy hit BP? I was amazed at the power that he has.

by GregoryM on Jul 15, 2008 11:58 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Yes

I wish he would do the Derby because I have witnessed this and he is amazing. Like Hamilton, the sound coming off his bat is just different.

"We live, we die, and the wheels on the bus go round and round." - Tony Romo

by kentbenfer on Jul 15, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I will never

Say anything mean about Ichiro ever again. That is awesome.

Plaschke: Scioscia, the former Dodgers catcher, is the model manager who has created an atmosphere of winning.
Junior:It's that simple. Mike Scioscia brings a Glade Plug-In labeled "Winning™" into the clubhouse and everyone who breathes it in gains 15 points in average.

by TheBZA on Jul 15, 2008 12:13 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

That's hilarious

"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005

by Agreen07 on Jul 15, 2008 12:18 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

that is really freakin' funny

"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2

by tdi1985 on Jul 15, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

LMAO

+1 – Absolutely Hilarious!

Ian Kinsler has finally earned the right to be the third of my co-favorite players.

by utlonghorn24 on Jul 15, 2008 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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