ICHIRO article in ESPN - When Winter Never Ends

[Runnin]

Sad story of a great player. He's locked in a prison of his own (?) making.

When Winter Never Ends (http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/22624561/ichiro-suzuki-return-seattle-mariners-resolve-internal-battle)
How five days in February reveal what Seattle's signing of Ichiro cannot. The future Hall of Famer is haunted by the life he can't escape.
by Wright Thompson, from Clarksville, MS

[4maddux_cy's]

I read it as more of a prison of his dad's making. Really sad how he basically abused him as a child by forcing him to train 365 days a year. Throwing baseballs at his head. All this starting at age 3! Not to mention screwing up his taxes costing him almost 200k. Really a sad story. Makes me wonder what will happen after this year.

[NYCBrave]

I read it as more of a prison of his dad's making. Really sad how he basically abused him as a child by forcing him to train 365 days a year. Throwing baseballs at his head. All this starting at age 3! Not to mention screwing up his taxes costing him almost 200k. Really a sad story. Makes me wonder what will happen after this year.

Very sad story indeed. This game is basically all he has to live for.

[nsacpi]

I think you guys are missing Ichiro's dadaesque humor. Yes he had OCD, but I actually think he is someone who is happy with who he is. I would guess he is more happy than most people we know. And it doesn't have much to do with his being rich and famous.

[Runnin]

I think you guys are missing Ichiro's dadaesque humor. Yes he had OCD, but I actually think he is someone who is happy with who he is. I would guess he is more happy than most people we know. And it doesn't have much to do with his being rich and famous.
You don't see his compulsion to play until he's 50 as evidence of an empty life apart from baseball?

I see it as sad because he is still bitter towards his father (I wonder when they stopped speaking.) yet he's still following his father's rules. There's certainly a kind of aesthetic beauty in his devotion to the sport but an athlete needs balance in his life. I think it's still not too late for him to break free. I worry what he means by "just disappear".

Btw, gyuu tan (beef tongue) is delicious.

[nsacpi]

You don't see his compulsion to play until he's 50 as evidence of an empty life apart from baseball?

I see it as sad because he is still bitter towards his father (I wonder when they stopped speaking.) yet he's still following his father's rules. There's certainly a kind of aesthetic beauty in his devotion to the sport but an athlete needs balance in his life. I think it's still not too late for him to break free. I worry what he means by "just disappear".

Btw, gyuu tan (beef tongue) is delicious.

I think there is an aesthetic aspect to his choices that is very appealing...as for his relationship with his father well it is part of who he is...that part is a bit sad

[The Chosen One]

This is one of the prime examples of Japanese work ethic. There is a beauty to it, as the craftsmanship and hardwork are almost second to none.

Reminds me of a similar story with the Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Jiro's sons cannot escape the shadow of their father and if they will ever be as good of Sushi Chefs as he is. At age 90+, Jiro is still tormenting himself because he still has not yet found perfection in his craft.

[The Chosen One]

You don't see his compulsion to play until he's 50 as evidence of an empty life apart from baseball?

I see it as sad because he is still bitter towards his father (I wonder when they stopped speaking.) yet he's still following his father's rules. There's certainly a kind of aesthetic beauty in his devotion to the sport but an athlete needs balance in his life. I think it's still not too late for him to break free. I worry what he means by "just disappear".

Btw, gyuu tan (beef tongue) is delicious.

I think Ichiro means just disappear as in, even with the stardom of being a Major Leaguer, he's always seemed to be one of the more reserved and quiet guys in the league. When the fame of pro baseball is over, he probably wants to go live on a farm away from everything to just enjoy the serenity of nature. To him, baseball is nature and he's always striving to be one with the baseball bat and ball. He'll just transfer that work ethic to a new hobby where no one but he and his wife can see and enjoy.

[4maddux_cy's]

I also found it very interesting how much he reveres those who came before him. The parts about Buck O'Neil, visiting the Negro Leagues Museum and how often he goes to Cooperstown were really cool.