PEORIA, Ariz. — Over his 11-plus years in Seattle, we saw Ichiro in many guises and personas — philosophical Ichiro, stoic Ichiro, standoffish Ichiro, sarcastic Ichiro, Zen master Ichiro.
On Wednesday, in his return to the Mariners, a new Ichiro revealed itself during a sometimes emotional news conference to announce his signing of a one-year, major-league contract.
This was a softer, more sentimental Ichiro, one who at age 44 recognizes that his role in the game has changed irrevocably. He joked about his teammates now being the age his children would be if he had any.