MLB - Sports Rumors

Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:19 pm EDT

Seattle teammate wanted to 'knock out' Ichiro

By Joe Zedalis

Ichiro

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Things got so bad in the Seattle Mariners clubhouse during this discouraging season that one player reportedly threatened to "knock out" outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, the team's highest profile player.

A "clubhouse insider" quoted in Thursday's edition of The Seattle Times said, "I just can't believe the number of guys who really dislike him. It got to a point early on when I thought they were going to get together and go after him."

The story went on to say that coaches and then-manager John McLaren, who was fired June 19, intervened when one player was overheard talking about wanting to "knock him out." A meeting was called to clear the air.

Suzuki did not comment on the story, but pitcher J.J. Putz said he doesn't remember any such incident and said there was no meeting to talk about it.

"It's very troubling if it was a player who said that," Putz said. "People have a lot of differences of opinion on a lot of things, but to say something like that in the paper and not fess up as to who it is, whoever said it is a coward. You have something to say about somebody, step up and say it. Don't hide behind (a writer). Anybody can sit around and talk behind somebody's back. I think it's ridiculous."

Source: Associated PressNew Window

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112 Comments

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  1. Matt J
    1. Posted by Matt J Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:01 pm EDT

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    jelousy, keep ichiro, beltre , ibanez, betancourt, johjima, lopez and hernandez and throw the rest in the river
  2. The Real Deal
    2. Posted by The Real Deal Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    It would be nice to see Ichiro get out of there and play for a contender. Especially if there is any truth to this rumor.
  3. davfied
    3. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Hey Yaz,
    Ichiro is probably tired of losing. I hope that the Yankees acquire him for CF or RF. Gardner has beed looking better at the plate lately. I am sure Ichiro could help him with his hitting also. We will see.
  4. The Real Deal
    4. Posted by The Real Deal Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    davfied, Ichiro is 35 but he is still performing at a high level. I wonder what kind of a deal he would be looking for in terms of money and years.
  5. Fin-atic
    5. Posted by Fin-atic Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    They should have been talking about knocking out Bavasi, not Ichiro. He is very standoffish though. I wish they would have hit somebody, this club could have used some fire this season. Bavasi is such a dumbass. He screwed this team up for years to come. This season was like a movie - "Major League 3 - Seattle".
  6. scott
    6. Posted by scott Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    I think the thing to consider in an Ichiro trade would be, who can pick up his contract. Isn't he in the $19 mil a year range?
  7. scott
    7. Posted by scott Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    M's fan, it took years to fix his mess in Anaheim.
  8. FELIX CAMPITI
    8. Posted by FELIX CAMPITI Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    Hey DAV, whatever happened to the poster Chrisian NYC, he was really interesting!!!
  9. FELIX CAMPITI
    9. Posted by FELIX CAMPITI Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    $$$ is nothing with the Yankees!!
  10. Elroy MacIrish
    10. Posted by Elroy MacIrish Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    The Yankees can trade for Ichiro and take all of his $17 mil per year...IF...they do not sign Abreu or Damon, Seattle likes Melky and Dan Giese, and Matsui decides to move west. Seattle (even Bavasi) could make this happen pretty easily by signing Abreu in the off-season to a big deal.
  11. ricko
    11. Posted by ricko Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    yankees want ichiro? just sent your farm team to seattle, seattle would want your very best propects, you would just pay money?, seattle has money
  12. davfied
    12. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Yaz,
    He is better than what they have now. I'm not sure how long his contract is but I would think we would be willing to take a chance on a known entity. Hell give the M's Melky and some prospect and pick up his contract. A change of scenery would probably do Melky good.
    Scott,
    The Yankees could handle that.
    Felix,
    Don't pay attention to the jerk offs. They have aimed their attacks at you and I because we give it right back to them. The ting is they are sick people and this is play time for them. I won't respond to them anymore.
  13. Fin-atic
    13. Posted by Fin-atic Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    The M's had money, they keep wasting it on jerk-offs who don't deliver (And please don't say "well Sexson was good his 1st 2 seasons here") . Is there anyone besides Bedard that thinks he is honestly worth the money he got to come to Seattle? I think the only way this could get worse for the M's is if we had Al Davis buy the team and then have Gary Bettman (NHL) become league commish. Hey! I have an idea: If next season is as bad or worse as this season was, Nintendo can sponsor "samurai sword night" and the 1st 10000 fans can commit ritual suicide.
  14. ricko
    14. Posted by ricko Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    felix hernandez is the one to get from seattle, ichiro is locked up in seattle, either way they d want good players thats something they dont have
  15. jd 1
    15. Posted by jd 1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:19 pm EDT

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    Carl Crawford has a club option for 09, at 9 mill, Tampa might move him as well. ricko, Seattle has some good players, just not many. They gotta be very disappointed, alot of people, me included , thought they would contend this year.
  16. M R
    16. Posted by M R Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:03 pm EDT

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    "Ichiro is probably tired of losing. I hope that the Yankees acquire him for CF or RF"
    If Ichiro is tried of losing, why on earth would he go to the Yankees?
  17. Lamar S
    17. Posted by Lamar S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Felix
    Yeah I wondered what happened to NY Christian, I miss his intelligent post
    As for Ichiro, you Yankee fans really need to stop kidding yourselfs. Sorry but Ichiro isn't going anywhere and the Yankees DO NOT have what it takes to trade for him. Why? because it would cost you your best prospects.
  18. suq_my_kiss
    18. Posted by suq_my_kiss Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:49 pm EDT

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    ack, the nerve of any Mariner dissing Ichiro. Put up or shut up. It's amazing that Ichiro can maintain his level of performance while being on such a dull roster.
  19. Akhbar M
    19. Posted by Akhbar M Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    Oh, and I don't think Seattle can afford to ditch Ichiro. With their team performing so poorly, they need Ichiro breaking records in order to keep fans coming to the games.
  20. itsthateasy
    20. Posted by itsthateasy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:57 pm EDT

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    someone needs to knock out putz. he cant even throw strikes
  21. jd 1
    21. Posted by jd 1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:19 pm EDT

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    Lamar, no it wouldn't cost the Yanks their best prospects. Of which they have many. Going free agent is probably the best route, doesn't cost any prospects. Cano for Ichiro would probably work with 1 prospect thrown in.
  22. Mike B
    22. Posted by Mike B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    it's obvious that if anyone wants to 'knock out' ichiro, it's because of his attitude. this guy thinks his fecal matter doesn't have an odor.
  23. Diesel
    23. Posted by Diesel Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    Look at all the clueless ppl posting here. Ichiro is signed, Ichiro brings in a ton of revenue because of his star appeal and lock on Japanese market. He cares about winning and cares about doing well. The guy who wanted to knock him out is Carlos Silva, and lets get real, Silva is a waste of money.
    The guy sets the table for guys to drive him in, hes a gold glover, former MVP, all star MVP, etc. No one in that clubhouse can blame him for the teams shortcomings.
  24. Robert
    24. Posted by Robert Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    OK, Ichiro stays in Seattle, here's my alternative proposal:
    Mariners get: Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera, Ian Kennedy, Kei Igawa
    Yankees get: Adrian Beltre, Raul Ibanez, Brandon Morrow
  25. jd 1
    25. Posted by jd 1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:19 pm EDT

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    28, agreed. Not so sure how revenue from the Japanese market helps the Mariners though, explain if you will.

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