Ichiro hot, but Griffey hotter

In A-Rod’s mind, Suzuki hasn’t quite reached Junior’s level of popularity

By Scott M. Johnson

Herald Writer

SEATTLE — Ichiro-mania? Ha!

The Seattle Mariners’ right fielder might be the most popular Japanese import to hit U.S. soil, but he’s far from the biggest star to ever don a Seattle Mariners uniform. At least if you ask Alex Rodriguez, that is.

"I played alongside the best player in the game for eight years here. As far as Junior, that’s the best I’ve ever seen," said Rodriguez, referring to former Seattle teammate Ken Griffey Jr.

"Ichiro has taken it to a nice level, too. International-wise, I don’t think anybody’s bigger than Ichiro. But nationally, Griffey’s as big as I’ve ever seen — maybe in the last 20 years."

Even though Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle’s rookie outfielder, drew the most attention during media day Monday, Rodriguez contends he has a ways to go before he reaches Griffey’s stature in this city.

"Griffey was as big as life," the Texas Rangers shortstop said. "Ichiro is, too, but Ichiro’s only been here for 81 games. He’s just going to continue to grow, and perhaps he can be bigger than Griffey. But I think Griffey was the biggest. Maybe it’s because I was 18 years old and was coming up with these wowed eyes. It’s hard for me to say because I’m not here now."

Rodriguez will hit behind Suzuki in today’s All-Star Game. Suzuki will lead off and play center field for the American League.

Suzuki said he didn’t mind playing center field, a position he manned often while playing in Japan.

Suzuki received a trophy as the top vote-getter in the AL before Monday’s Home Run Derby. When he got the award, he leaned into a microphone and told the Safeco Field crowd, "Thank you," in perfect English.

This after he stole the show at an afternoon batting practice. Ichiro hit nine of his first 12 batting practice pitches over the fence, including five in a row. Two of his homers went to straightaway center. Too bad he didn’t get to compete in the Home Run Derby later in the afternoon.

"I said a few weeks ago that he would represent himself well in the Home Run Derby," Mariners manager Lou Piniella said. "If he was there, he wouldn’t be hitting them 450 feet, but he sure would pepper the outfield seats."

Despite what Rodriguez says, Ichiro-mania seems to be spreading.

"Early in the year, with the way he hits, I thought it would be difficult for him to play at this level," Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez said. "But he’s a great hitter. He’s a great athlete. I don’t know how he does it, but he’s a great hitter."

Toast of the town: Take the home city, mix in eight All-Stars and the best record in baseball and you’ve got the recipe for quite a story. So it came as no surprise that most of the players at media day Monday were talking about the Mariners.

"It’s gotten so incredible that you just kind of tip your cap and go, ‘OK.’ There’s nothing you can do about it now," Oakland first baseman Jason Giambi said Monday. "Even if we would have gotten off to a decent start, we still would probably be 10 games back. That’s the incredible part. Now you just shift your focus to the wild card and go from there."

Alex Rodriguez and the Texas Rangers have also been watching the Mariners from behind.

"I’m glad they’re doing well," Rodriguez said. "I’m very proud of those guys. I just hope they don’t do this every year; that way they keep me out of (the playoffs)."

The return, Part III: During his first at-bat of batting practice, Rodriguez heard scattered boos, but nothing like the barrage he received during earlier trips to Safeco Field this season.

After signing a $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers, the All-Star shortstop has been the whipping boy of Seattle fans recently. But he said he’s not looking for endearment from the Safeco crowd.

"I just want the Mariner fans to continue being great fans," Rodriguez said. "They were great fans when I was here; they cheer the Mariners and they boo the opposition. I want them to continue to be great fans. But I want to be approved by the Texas Ranger fans."

Feeling like a kid again: The first time Bret Boone attended an All-Star Game was 1979, when he was just 9 years old. His father, Bob Boone, was a member of the AL team and brought young Bret along for the ride. Bret shagged balls in the Kingdome outfield during batting practice.

"I stole the show," Boone said Monday.

Boone actually got a standing ovation following BP that year.

"I was showing off. They’re not used to seeing kids catch balls behind their back in the outfield," Boone said. "I remember it. I was so excited because it was the first time my dad was taking me to the All-Star Game."

The Mariners second baseman expects today’s game to provide a similar feeling.

"I feel like a little kid right now," said Boone, who also played in the 1997 All-Star Game. "It’s my first start in an All-Star Game, I’m in the Home Run Derby. It’s pretty special right now. I’m pretty thrilled about it."

Hatched buried … sort of: In the end, Florida Marlins outfielder Cliff Floyd got to take part in All-Star festivities. After a week of he-said/he-said with NL manager Bobby Valentine, Floyd arrived at Safeco Field on Monday without a chip on his shoulder.

Valentine originally left Floyd off the All-Star team, but added him over the weekend after injured New York Mets pitcher Rick Reed bowed out of the game.

"People say, ‘How come you don’t bash him?’" Floyd said of Valentine. "I have a family. I have morals. My mom said it’s better not to say anything in the papers that will disrespect me.

"But I was mad. Believe me, I wanted to say something. I wanted to say everything that you say when you’re mad."

Too much responsibility: It’s way too soon to be projecting, but should the Mariners make it to the World Series at the end of this season, Lou Piniella will have a tough task ahead of him. The managers from each World Series team choose the All-Star reserves for their respective leagues the following year.

Piniella doesn’t want that responsibility.

"The manager has enough to worry about," Piniella said. "To have the brunt of this fall on him is a little unfair. I think it should be decided by a committee or something like that."