Shohei Ohtani Bows Down To Show Respect To The Legend Ichiro Suzuki

There aren’t many things in baseball more lovely than Shohei Ohtani and Ichiro Suzuki’s friendship.

Ohtani has frequently mentioned how much he adores the legendary Mariners player who is now retired. And it never gets boring. With the Angels playing in Seattle on Monday night, the two Japanese baseball greats got the opportunity to reconnect.

Ohtani ran to pay his respects as soon as he recognised his hero across the stadium.

Shohei Ohtani took off his hat and bowed to baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki ❤️🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/6PAIn4viyX

— ESPN (@espn) April 4, 2023

Shohei Ohtani Bows Down To Show Respect To The Legend Ichiro Suzuki

With good cause, Shohei Ohtani has emerged as one of the most talked-about baseball stars in recent years. He is a real superstar who is capable of dominating both as a pitcher and a hitter, and he has swiftly risen to the top of the Major League Baseball player popularity list.

Fans are chatting about more than just his on-field performance, though. Also, it’s his conduct off the field and the respect he has for his teammates and the game itself.

Whenever Shohei Ohtani meets Ichiro Suzuki, he always shows respect ❤️ 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/w4pMTqyyql

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 4, 2023

Recently, when Ichiro Suzuki’s previous team, the Seattle Mariners, hosted Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels, that admiration was on full show. Ichiro, who announced his retirement in 2019, is regarded as one of the all-time great players and is especially adored in Japan, where he spent a significant amount of time playing before moving to the United States.

Ohtani paid homage to Ichiro by walking up to him on the field prior to the game, taking off his cap and bowing. Fans and analysts alike praised Ohtani for his grace and sportsmanship as the moving moment instantly went viral on social media.

Shohei Ohtani no podría tener un mejor mentor que el gran Ichiro Suzuki.

El respeto con el que le habla Ohtani a Ichiro lo dice todo.👏🇯🇵https://t.co/3UEy3YlMBj

— Pasión Beisbol ⚾️ (@Pasionbaseball) April 4, 2023

Ohtani has already treated his teammates with this level of deference. When he was voted the American League’s Rookie of the Year in his rookie season in the Major League Baseball, he made a moving statement in which he thanked his teammates, coaches, and even the rival players he had faced throughout the season. That was a welcome departure from the occasionally abrasive attitudes of other young players, and it only helped to make him more popular with the crowd.