Ichiro Suzuki turns down Japan's People's Honor Award again

Japanese baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki turned down the People's Honor Award issued by the Japanese government again, said Japan's top government spokesman Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Friday.

According to Suga, Suzuki expressed his intention to decline the award via his agent to the government. "He wishes to 'devote himself so he can receive it when he draws the curtain on his life,'" said Suga. "We will respect his thoughts and we will not go forward with (offering him the award) following his retirement. He is a superstar who has given many people dreams and hopes, and I look forward to his future endeavors, together with the Japanese people."

This is already the third time for Suzuki to turn down such a top honor after 2001 and 2004. Back then, his said that he would be so grateful if he can get the award when his baseball career is over.

Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners acknowledges the crowd in the 2019 Opening Series game against the Oakland Athletics, March 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Since he announced his retirement on March 21 and Japan decided to switch to the Reiwa period, Suzuki has been expected by many to become the first one to receive the People's Honor Award in the new era.

Why did he turn it down again? Suzuki gave no clear reason. Some Japanese media outlet believed that it's a sign of him deciding to continue his baseball career, though not on the field any more.

Suzuki was among the first Japanese position players joining the MLB teams. He became a member of the Seattle Mariners in 2001 and shocked the league in his first season by winning AL Rookie of the Year, AL MVP, Gold Glove Award (the first of 10 in total) and Silver Slugger Award. Suzuki was also AL batting champion and AL stolen base leader that season.

Though he never won the World Series in his 18-year-career in the MLB, Suzuki kept enough records to make fans proud of him. He had the most 262 hits in one single season (2004), 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons, the most hits by a Japanese born player, the most hits in interleague play and the most hits in a season by a rookie.

(CGTN)