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Prior to Thursday’s game, Ichiro had 3,089 hits in MLB (23rd all-time) and 1,278 in Japan.

Ichiro retires: Social media reacts to legend's final at-bat

Baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki has informed the Mariners he will retire after Thursday’s game against the Athletics in Tokyo, Kyodo News reported.

In what was believed to be the final at-bat of his career, Ichiro struck out looking for the first out in the top of the seventh inning. However, Seattle sent five batters to the plate after Ichiro to ensure he got another chance with the bat in his hands.

Not the way he wanted it. But if this is the last at-bat of Ichiro’s career, he can reflect on the other 3,089. #Ichiro pic.twitter.com/x9dvrVJAB9
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 21, 2019

And with that chance, Ichiro made the everyone hold their breath as he hustled down the line after a soft grounder to shortstop. He did not beat the throw, however, to end the top of the eighth inning.

In what could be his final at-bat, Ichiro with a close out at first. #Mariners pic.twitter.com/lZ9zNQRwmw
— Neel Dhere (@Neel_Dhere) March 21, 2019

Ichiro trotted to right field for the bottom half of the inning, but Seattle manager Scott Servais stopped the game before a pitch was thrown to pull the 45-year-old and give the crowd a chance to honor one of the greatest players in history.

Legend. pic.twitter.com/CgnaEpmLYP
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 21, 2019

Ichiro exits in the 8th inning to a standing ovation in the Tokyo Dome. ?
#MLB開幕戦 pic.twitter.com/uXtp0mQkuv
— MLB (@MLB) March 21, 2019

Ichiro and Dee Gordon. No bow...hug. pic.twitter.com/fbhUByNlsV
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 21, 2019

"I'm not crying, you're crying ..."#Ichiro pic.twitter.com/bbR4fxqrJU
— Steven R. Walker (@Steve_R_Walker) March 21, 2019

man, Felix Hernandez looks legitimately sad to see Ichiro leave. pic.twitter.com/srd3SYZ5Zs
— Sung Min Kim (@sung_minkim) March 21, 2019

Wow. Yusei Kikuchi in tears as he hugs Ichiro.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 21, 2019

Suzuki — who was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year for the Mariners in 2001 — has played 14 of his 18-plus MLB seasons in Seattle. Prior to Thursday’s game, Ichiro had 3,089 hits in MLB (23rd all-time) and 1,278 in Japan. His combined total of 4,367 is a world professional record.

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