Recently retired outfielder Ichiro Suzuki began his next chapter with the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night, starting his new role as a team instructor.
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said the 45-year-old franchise legend would work with the major league and Triple-A clubs, focusing on outfield play, baserunning and hitting.
Ichiro will work the majority of Seattle’s home games, with the vast majority of his time spent with the players during pregame activities, the team said.
He will maintain his title of special assistant to the chairman but will report to Dipoto.
Ichiro concluded his playing career on March 21 after tallying 3,089 hits over 19 seasons in the major leagues, including 14 seasons with the Mariners (2001-12, 2018-19).
He was a 10-time All-Star, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, a two-time batting champion and the 2001 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the American League.