WELCOME TO THE RIVALRY, ICHIRO!

On Monday, the Yankees organization shocked their fans, and basically everyone who watches baseball, by acquiring Ichiro Suzuki in a trade from the Mariners. Read about it HERE. The whole thing happened so fast that I almost couldn’t believe it was true. Wednesday night after the last out in SafeCo field, Ichiro took a moment to acknowledge his cheering section before walking into the visiting dugout. It was a great gesture on Ichiro’s part. It showed a lot of respect. And it got me thinking, “How will he be received when he plays in the Bronx on Friday?” The answer is awesomely!

Ichiro has always been on the other side at Yankee Stadium. With his long list of professional accolades, it’s easy to see how fans at the stadium would heckle him. Like Derek Jeter told Robbie Cano at Kansas City, “They only boo you if you’re a good player.” And, his current stats not withstanding, Ichiro is just that. But now Ichiro will take the field in pinstripes. He will wear #31 in pinstripes and add to that, the fact that his Yankee debut in the Bronx is against the Red Sox, and you have a whole new ball game.

Whenever the Yankees play the Red Sox, there is always pure adrenaline. It’s like the air molecules have become electric and super charged. It’s no secret that Ichiro asked for this trade. By his own admission he said he didn’t feel like he fit into the new Seattle team anymore. When you take into consideration his OBP and batting average in Seattle this season, the Yankees, their fans and this series, let's just say that it may kick Ichrio high gear!

I’m not going to lie, the Yankees need this series and the fans are depending on it. BYB wrote about it in THE YANKEES EBB & FLOW WILL SOON FLOW & FLOW. We just came off of a road trip where we won two out of seven. Considering how well we had been playing before we got to Oakland, it’s frustrating to say the least. So, we need a good jolt and luckily we got one last night with a 10-3 win against the Sox.  Is it the beginning? Man I hope so.

So I sit here thinking about this rivalry, and Ichiro and I say this... we will root for the new guy. When he makes a good play or has a good at bat, he will be cheered. And maybe that's all he needs, to feel like he is appreciated, to feel like he's home...again, but this time it's the Bronx and not Seattle. Maybe this different New York atmosphere coupled with this legendary rivalry will be the smelling salts that Ichiro needs this season. Is there a better way to make your playing debut as a Yankee? No... no way.

--Erica Morales, BYB Writer



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