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If you have been following Major League Baseball in the last five or so seasons, then chances are you have probably heard of the outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who plays for the Seattle Mariners.

Ichiro Suzuki, or simply Ichiro as he has become known throughout the American League as, has been playing for the Seattle Marineers since the start of the 2001 season, when he was called up to play right field for the Mariners. Before playing in the United States, Ichiro had spent eight years in Japan playing professional ball for a team called the Blue Wave in Japan's Pacific League. Born in Kasugai, Japan on October 23rd, 1973, Ichiro became the first professional Major League player to be born in Japan and to be an everyday player. While other Japanese players such as Hideo Nomo were born Japan and played in the Major Leagues, they were mostly pitchers who did not play in every game in the same manner in which Ichiro does. To this day, Ichiro still resides over in Japan with his wife, Yumiko.

Ichiro's parents were dedicated in helping Ichiro become a professional baseball player. His father helped him by creating a total baseball workout in which Ichiro would utilize everyday. Not only did Ichiro's father help Ichiro build his baseball skills, but he also taught Ichiro to use his brain during the game. Because of this combination, Ichiro bats left handed and throws right handed. He throws with his right hand for power, and bats with left handed in order to give himself an advantage against the majority of Major League pitchers.

Because of both his brainpower and terrific baseball skills, it is no wonder why a lot of baseball players envy this five foot nine inch tall baseball player. While he may not exactly be a power hitter such as Sammy Sosa or Barry Bonds, Ichiro still has the ability to hit the ball and get on base more than any other baseball player in either the National or American League. His skills have led him to many achievements and broken records over the years. Within his first year as a Major Leaguer he won the Rookie of the Year award, despite playing several years of professional ball in his homeland. During that same year, Ichiro also accumulated two hundred and forty two hits, the most a player had hit in a single season since 1930.

The following seasons also gave success to Ichiro, as he became a four time Gold Glove award winner, and in 2004, Ichiro finally shattered the record for the most hits in a single Major League season with two hundred and sixty two hits.

When Ichiro Suzuki first came to the Major League scene, many other professional baseball players under estimated him because of his small size. In just four seasons he has however overcame this problem, and today is a fear for even the best pitchers in the game. Because of this, Ichiro has became a hero for the shorter baseball players everywhere; from the little leagues to the major leagues Ichiro is a hero for everyone.