Hold onto your hats. The contract agreement between the Seattle Mariners and Ichiro (Suzuki) promises to offer an exciting, fun time with a frenzied media circus, possible extra events, increased tourism and brisk souvenir sales, as the former Orix BlueWave outfielder and seven-time Pacific League batting champion readies to become Japan's first position player in the major leagues.
Japanese press, radio and TV coverage of Ichiro on that side of the Pacific will be extensive. It's already started, it will increase when he reports to the Mariners' spring camp in Peoria, Ariz., in February and is sure to intensify when the regular season begins.
Seattle, for your information, hosts opening day of the 2001 American League season at home at Safeco Field on Monday, April 2, against the Oakland Athletics. If that game is not televised live in Japan, I'll buy every Baseball Bullet-In reader a cup of Seattle's Best Coffee.