Ichiro on Ichiro

by Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the New York Yankees' newest outfielders and hottest batters, talks about all things baseball in this candid book that reveals the inner mind of one of baseball's finest practitioners. Since Ichiro Suzuki joined the Seattle Mariners in 2001, he awed America, earned the respect of his teammates, and won the heart of baseball fans everywhere. But being notoriously private and media-elusive, fans know very little about him. Ichiro proves to be a thoughtful and gifted student of the game. He articulates how, as one of the smaller players in the MLB, it takes something more than power and strength to become a fully realized player and effective team member. Being a baseball superstar on two continents, he reflects on the insane media coverage he endures, as well as his own awe for the game’s great players. In this frank conversation, the leading Major League batter breaks down the art and science of the swing.

Genres: Baseball, Sports

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 10, 2004

Reviews

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for a Mariners fan, or anyone who has enjoyed watching Ichiro play these last 19 years (well, last 28 years).

It has been well-tread territory that Ichiro is one of the smartest, most intentional, ballplayers ever seen in MLB. This book, consisting entirely of interviews with a single (knowledgeable!) journalist over several years, serves to support that premise. He is amazing. There were many covered topics or insights that I hadn’t heard over the years. He’s a singular player and there won’t likely be another like him. First-hand accounts of his play, his approach, his feeling on teammates/opponents, his personal life, all of it, is compelling reading.

A lone star I took off, just for the repetitive nature of the interviews. Since there are multiple interviews including over several years, they cover the same ground a good bit. And then, perhaps because it is a translation from its original Japanese, the answers read that way. You can see Ichiro’s personally in the answers; it feels like it’s him. But it also is stilted and slightly tedious in some areas. Still, a strong book worthy of a read by any baseball fan.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read many a baseball biographies, this excellent work jumped ahead of them all. A refreshing approach with honest retorts, Ichiro was not only a great ballplayer but a wise man and thinker. His wifeYumiko defined what a wife who supports is a very beautiful addition. Doesn't take long to see the drive that both Ichiro & Yumiko blessed major league baseball ⚾.

Not speaking the language and being uprooted from Japan was an outstanding compliment to these two gifted individuals. His dream became a reality as well as learning American customs and language barriers was proof in the pudding and the fans of Seattle benefited two fold.

[Lightning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading about Ichiro's philosophy on hitting and approach to the game. A true legend. That said, it's important to note that this is just a collection of interview transcriptions thrown together. Not a lot of preamble, a bit repetitive on some themes and just abruptly ends without context or commentary.

[Niko Gregg]

Ichiro on Ichiro is an interview bibliography of Ichiro Suzuki with Narumi Komatsu. It tells the story of his life and where he grew up along with the influential people in his life that pushed him to play professional baseball. He tells of his life in Japan and how he always wanted to be able to go to America and be able to play Major League Baseball. This is a different type of book than I have read in the past. I have never read an interview before but the reason that I read this one is because Ichiro was my favorite baseball player when I was growing up. I could use this in the classroom when I am teaching nonfiction as an example of a different type of nonfiction book. I could then have my students interview each other and keep track of the answers that they receive in order for them to make a smaller version of a book like this.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love comparing and contrasting between Asian and American major league baseball.

This book offers insight into Suzuki’s decision to leave Japan and play for the Seattle Mariners. Most of the text focuses on his techniques and experiences playing baseball in Japan and in the States. I particularly enjoyed reading some of the personal stories.

You really have to be an Ichiro fan to enjoy this book. Even though I bleed Dodger Blue, I have to say that Ichiro is definitely one of my first picks for my fantasy team.

[Chris Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ichiro on ichiro is a book about a Japanese baseball player coming to the U.S. to play in the MLB and adjusting to the American way of play. People said that he wouldn't be able to make it or do good in this league, so he worked and worked and soon he had the best batting average in the league and won MVP. So hard work is worth the effort. People that like sports, and anything with baseball would like it.

[Tyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book to learn the early years of Ichiro's career and his time with the Mariners. The perfect book for a fan of the man and his commitment to the sport and his teams, past and present. Great insight.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good comparison between the Japanese and Major Leagues. I've read two or three others that were better though.

[Gordon Kwok · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite players of all time, a very interesting book.