Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki is signed by the Seattle Mariners to a $14,088,000, three-year contract.

 

On January 5, 2001 — Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who has won seven batting titles in the Pacific League, is signed by the Seattle Mariners to a $14,088,000, three-year contract. The signing rights to the Japanese outfielder, winner of seven batting titles in Japan, were awarded to Seattle for approximately $13 million.

The Mariners must also supply him with a car during spring training and the regular season, a personal trainer, interpreter and 4 round trip tickets to Japan 4 times a year. It will pay off as he will win the Rookie of the year and MVP his first season and set the record for hits in a single season. He will finish his career with over 3000 hits in MLB and when combined with his career in Japan he tallied the most hits of all time.

 

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