Mariners' Ichiro Statue Unveiling Hits Snag as Bat Snaps

Team quickly repairs the damage and pokes fun at the mishap during the ceremony.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:35pm

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A vibrant, expressionist painting depicting Ichiro Suzuki's iconic batting stance, with the bat breaking apart into colorful, energetic brushstrokes, conveying the drama and excitement of the statue unveiling ceremony.An artistic interpretation of the mishap during the unveiling of Ichiro Suzuki's statue, capturing the energy and drama of the moment.Seattle Today

The Mariners unveiled a statue of Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki outside of T-Mobile Stadium on Friday, but the ceremony hit a snag when the statue's bat snapped as the sheet was pulled off. The team was able to quickly fix the bat and shared a photo of a revamped version of the replica statue fans were receiving at the game.

Why it matters

Ichiro is one of the greatest players in Mariners history, so the unveiling of his statue was a highly anticipated event for the team and its fans. The mishap, while minor, provided an amusing moment and showed the Mariners' ability to have fun with the situation.

The details

During the unveiling ceremony led by broadcaster Rick Rizzs, the sheet got caught on the statue's bat, which was held in Ichiro's iconic vertical batting stance. This caused the bat to audibly snap, though the rest of the statue remained intact. The Mariners were able to quickly repair the bat and get the statue back to its original condition.

  • The statue unveiling ceremony took place on Friday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Ichiro Suzuki

A Hall of Fame outfielder who played for the Mariners from 2001 to 2012, known for his slick swing and record-breaking hit totals.

Rick Rizzs

A longtime Mariners broadcaster who led the ceremony unveiling Ichiro's statue.

Edgar Martinez

A Mariners legend and Hall of Famer who participated in the statue unveiling ceremony.

Ken Griffey Jr.

A Mariners icon and Hall of Famer who participated in the statue unveiling ceremony.

John Stanton

The owner of the Seattle Mariners who took part in the statue unveiling ceremony.

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What they’re saying

“Good, but next time you have a grand unveiling of a statue, maybe don't pull too hard on the sheet.”

— Matt Reigle, Author

The takeaway

Despite the minor mishap with the bat snapping during the unveiling, the Mariners were able to quickly repair the statue and have some fun with the situation, showcasing their ability to maintain a lighthearted approach even during a highly anticipated ceremony honoring one of the franchise's all-time greats.