Louis Cardinals Lars Nootbaar took his chance on Friday to interview former MLB star Ichiro Suzuki when they first met.
With the Cardinals in town for a weekend series against the Seattle Mariners, who employ Suzuki as the club president’s assistant, the two men spoke for more than 15 minutes, with Nootbaar throwing questions about defense and base running.
Former MLB star Ichiro Suzuki (L) speaks with St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (R) at Safeco Field in Seattle on April 21, 2023. (Photo courtesy of St. Louis Cardinals)(Essonne Info)
“He was very open and honest,” said Nootbaar, who called Suzuki a living legend and said the encounter was an experience he will never forget.
According to MLB.com, Nootbaar arranged to get a Mariners jersey bearing Ichiro’s number 51, which the former superstar signed for him.
Nootbaar, who was eligible to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic thanks to his Japanese mother, last month helped Samurai Japan win its first championship since Suzuki played for his country in 2006 and 2009.
Suzuki, too, seemed to enjoy the encounter and mentioned a piece of advice he had for Nootbaar, who injured his thumb on opening day when he slipped headfirst on a base.
“I told him not to dive into the basics,” Suzuki said with a smile.
Féliciane is one of the talented editors of Essonneinfo. She has written for the site since its launch, and has become a well-known figure in the industry for her skillful reporting and unique take on stories. Féliciane’s main hobby is travelling. Her passion for travel has allowed her to write in-depth articles on cultures around the world.
2023-04-22 09:43:59
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