NEW YORK (AP) — Now that he's no longer an active player, maybe Ichiro Suzuki wants to start swinging for the fences.
How about at next month's Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities in Washington?
What began as light-hearted banter among Seattle Mariners coaches grew into something that caused a stir in the clubhouse before Wednesday night's game against the New York Yankees.
"He's got power and he's been launching balls into the seats," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "A couple of coaches said the other day, 'You know, no one wants to do this Home Run Derby.