‘We really didn’t know what we had’ Ichiro Suzuki’s teammate, Paul Abbott, reflects on the rookie season of the Hall of Fame

Ichiro Suzuki was included in the baseball hall at the beginning of this year in an almost unanimous vote

Paul Abbott, former Major League pitcher, vividly remembers the moment when Ichiro Suzuki transformed the Seattle sailors in 2001.

“We really didn’t know what we had,” Abbott said about the arrival of Suzuki. “His physical stature is not one that only screams superstar. But he was a five -tools player.”

Abbott, who played with Suzuki during the record season of 116 victories of the sailors, described the Japanese beginning as a “highlighted human reel” that stood out in all aspects of the game.

“I could hit you with a touch. I could beat you speed. I could light races,” Abbott recalled. “Nothing really seemed to place it.”

Suzuki arrived with impressive credentials of Japan 1,000 hits in his local league and a reputation for an exceptional batting.

“I didn’t have a entourage. He didn’t have an interpreter. He just wanted to be one of the boys,” said Abbott, highlighting Suzuki’s humble approach to join the team.

The pitcher emphasized Suzuki’s most notable feature: his consistent and determined preparation. “Everything he did had a purpose,” said Abbott. “He was extremely prepared, very detailed with his approach.”