Ichiro Suzuki's Statue Bat Breaks at Mariners Unveiling

Suzuki blamed Yankees legend Mariano Rivera for the mishap, a nod to Rivera's famous cutter that broke many bats.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:18pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the unveiling of Ichiro Suzuki's statue in Seattle, with the bronze sculpture, the crowd, and the broken bat all broken down into abstract geometric shapes and planes of color.Ichiro Suzuki's statue unveiling in Seattle is captured in a cubist, geometric deconstruction, highlighting the unexpected moment when the bat in the sculpture's hand broke.NYC Today

At the unveiling of a bronze statue honoring Ichiro Suzuki outside T-Mobile Park in Seattle, the bat attached to the life-sized sculpture immediately broke when fellow Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez pulled off the tarp. Suzuki, the Mariners' career hits leader, blamed Yankees closer Mariano Rivera for the mishap, in a nod to Rivera's infamous cutter that broke many bats over the years.

Why it matters

Ichiro Suzuki is one of the greatest players in Mariners history and is revered by the team's fanbase. The unveiling of his statue was a highly anticipated event, and the unexpected bat-breaking incident added some levity and humor to the ceremony celebrating the baseball legend's career.

The details

During the unveiling ceremony, the bat the statue was holding fell to the ground as confetti shot into the air, eliciting laughter from Griffey Jr. Suzuki later joked that he 'didn't think Mariano would come out here and break the bat,' referencing Rivera's famous cutter that was known for breaking bats. Suzuki spent 14 of his 19 MLB seasons with the Mariners, becoming the franchise's career hits leader with 2,542 hits. He was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and 2001 MVP/Rookie of the Year.

  • The statue unveiling took place on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Suzuki officially retired from baseball in 2019 at the age of 45.
  • Suzuki was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025.

The players

Ichiro Suzuki

A legendary MLB player who spent 14 of his 19 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, becoming the franchise's career hits leader with 2,542 hits. He was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and 2001 MVP/Rookie of the Year.

Ken Griffey Jr.

A Hall of Fame baseball player who played for the Seattle Mariners and was present at the unveiling of Ichiro's statue.

Edgar Martinez

A Hall of Fame baseball player who played for the Seattle Mariners and was present at the unveiling of Ichiro's statue.

Mariano Rivera

A legendary New York Yankees closer known for his dominant cutter, which was infamous for breaking many opposing players' bats.

John Stanton

The chairman and managing partner of the Seattle Mariners, who spoke at the ceremony honoring Ichiro Suzuki.

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What they’re saying

“I did not do that.”

— Ken Griffey Jr.

“I didn't think Mariano would come out here and break the bat.”

— Ichiro Suzuki

“Ichiro's consistency, and relentless pursuit of excellence defined an era of Mariners baseball. And even in his retirement, he still shows up to the ballpark day after day, game after game, to make the Mariners even better.”

— Rick Rizzs, Mariners radio broadcaster

“(Suzuki) illustrated the beauty of baseball. Every aspect of his game was meticulously perfected. His practice and preparation are legend.”

— John Stanton, Mariners chairman and managing partner

What’s next

The Mariners organization has not announced any immediate plans for repairing or replacing the broken bat on Ichiro's statue.

The takeaway

Ichiro Suzuki's statue unveiling was a lighthearted and celebratory moment for the Mariners franchise and its fans, honoring one of the greatest players in team history. The unexpected bat-breaking incident added a humorous touch, with Suzuki himself joking about his former rival Mariano Rivera's role in the mishap.