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Ichiro, like everyone else, is fair game
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Ever since Ichiro began playing for the Mariners in 2001, I've done various magazine articles, newspaper reports and books about him for the Japanese market. They are fervent readers, especially anything about Ichiro, and I've enjoyed the experience of providing my perspective.
For about five or six years I've done a weekly column for a Japanese outlet that sums up what Ichiro did that week or what other Japanese players did such as Kenji Johjima or Shige Hasegawa or Kazu Sasaki. Mostly, it's Ichiro 24/7.
This week I think I stirred up the forum with some sharp criticism about him. The fact that the Mariners have been struggled so much this season, no one can be absolved from blame.
Here's a bit of what I wrote:
Ichiro is starting to do what he's supposed to do again. After a slow April, he's picking it up in May. He's approaching a .300 average, hitting .292 now. He has stolen 10 bases already this month, most in the league, and playing solid defense.
But there is an undercurrent among the media and the club's baseball people not over what he's doing, but what he isn't. He's been in the league for seven-plus seasons now yet he seems more distance and detached than ever before. Is it a cultural thing or something less complimentary, such as arrogance?
He's good. Too good for the rest of us?
A situation last week raised some questions about him. He was participating the annual education day at a local elementary school. Manager John McLaren, bullpen coach Norm Charlton, third baseman Adrian Beltre and pitcher Arthur Rhodes joined Ichiro for a quick visit with about 350 kids.
Ichiro was the last person out of the van, looking distracted. He was the only player who was not wearing his team jersey, as he was asked to do.
The kids were so excited to see him but he hardly returned their affection. When it was time for Ichiro to briefly talk he deferred to Charlton. He remained in his seat, impassive. He would later say that with the media there and only a minute to talk, he didn't think he could do it from the heart.
But does that excuse him from not wearing his jersey like everyone else? Did he have to sit there as if it was the last place in the world he wanted to be? Did he think the kids could not read his body language?
It all gives life to the perception that Ichiro plays and acts for himself. Is he more concerned about his stats than assimilating more into the clubhouse? He's the last remaining member here from the record-setting 2001 team, shouldn't be more of a forceful leader in the clubhouse? Why does he still not do English interviews?
He's clearly comfortable in his own routine. He doesn't like to divert from that. But with this team struggling as it has, is it too much to ask more from him? It's not all about him; it's about team. There are things he can and should do outside the white lines. He can make a difference if he would simply leave his cocoon.
How the Japanese will view this criticism is uncertain. They idolize him and most don't want to hear anything negative. But there is a segment that appreciates telling it like it is. As I said, the way things have been going, there are no sacred cows.
