Former superstar Ichiro Suzuki demonstrated that age is no barrier to power, though it may have been a little too much for a classroom window.
The 50-year-old accidentally shattered glass by blasting a 426-foot home run while teaching young players proper baseball techniques at Asahikawa Higashi High School in Hokkaido, Japan.
Ichiro, who was giving back to students in his home country, sent the crushed ball soaring into a nearby building during the demonstration.
The student-athletes witnessing the display responded with applause and laughter, while Ichiro’s expression betrayed a hint of nervousness about the unintended damage.
Ichiro 😬😂 pic.twitter.com/PVHciOzGFI
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) November 6, 2023
MLB.com reported that Ichiro took approximately 63 swings, twice clearing the 26-foot-high netting protecting the building. Fortunately, only one window bore the brunt of his powerful demonstration that day.
The incident occurred as part of Ichiro’s ongoing efforts to inspire kids across Japan, a tradition that began when students from Kokugakuin Kugayama High School reached out to him, inviting him to be a guest instructor.
ichiro, bonds, and ken griffey jr have the purest swings that I've ever personally witnessed. this comes as no surprise to me, but funny nevertheless.
— ltsump1776 (@ltsump1776) November 7, 2023
Suzuki, a seven-time Golden Glove Award recipient, made his professional debut with the Seattle Mariners in April 2001.
He concluded his illustrious career with the Mariners in March 2019, having also played for the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins during his successful MLB tenure.
Should Ichiro make a comeback?!?
(Just kidding … Come on now.)
