イチロー シアトルでの引退式のスピーチ
The Japan Times sports より
Former Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki pauses while giving a speech during a ceremony in which he was given Mariners' Franchise Achievement Award on Saturday（9/14） in Seattle. | AP
Ichiro thanks Mariners fans in English during pregame ceremony
“When I retired that night in Tokyo, I had an incomplete feeling because the great fans of Seattle could not be there. Tonight, I want to express my appreciation to you for your touching support over the years,” Suzuki said.
“When I came to Seattle in 2001, no position player had ever come from Japan before. The one you got was 27 years old, small and skinny. And unknown.”
“You had every reason not to accept me. However, you welcomed me with open arms and you have never stopped, even when I left and came back. I was so grateful for the chance to return in 2018, and the reason is you fans. Thank you Seattle.”
Afterwards, Suzuki opened up in Japanese about giving the speech in English.
“At first I thought it would be difficult but I talked with the team. It was conveyed that it would be important for them as well. So I felt I’d try my best,” he said.
“I wrote it in Japanese and then translated it to English, and it just barely turned into these sentences. Somehow I practiced with that atmosphere.”
