This Day In Mariners History: Ichiro Hits ASG Inside-The-Park HR

Ichiro Suzuki is one of the best players to ever wear a Mariners uniform. He had a very special moment on July 10, 2007.

It was the All-Star Game and Ichiro was batting leadoff for the American League in the Mid-Summer Classic. He was having a solid season for the Seattle Mariners, entering the break hitting .359 with 128 hits. Just to compare and show how truly great that is, the MLB leaders in hitting with less than a week until the break are at 119 hits (Dee Gordon for the NL) and 112 hits (Prince Fielder for the AL).

It was the top of the 5th inning at AT&T Park in San Francisco when he came to bat against the San Diego Padres’ Chris Young. The score was 1-0 in favor of the National League. He then lined a ball into right center in that “triple’s alley” corner.

Ironically it was the Mariners’ chosen son Ken Griffey Jr. who had to chase down the gapper, representing the Reds that year. Ichiro raced around the bases at lightning-speed for the first inside-the-park home run in All-Star Game history. That gave the American League a 2-1 lead and the would go on to win 5-4.

He would be named the game’s MVP as he went 3 for 3. He played 12 great seasons with the Mariners, collecting 2,533 hits with an average of .322. That All-Star Game was one of many great moments Ichiro had as a Mariner.