SEATTLE -- Oakland manager Bob Melvin called Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki the "most committed player that I've ever had."
And Melvin should know -- he had a front-row seat to watch vintage Ichiro for two remarkable seasons in Seattle in 2003 and 2004.
Ichiro's 18-year big league career came to a pause on Thursday when the Mariners announced the Japanese superstar would transition from player to special assistant advisor within the organization for the rest of this season.
As far as beyond that, Ichiro, 44, could return to baseball next season.