Ichiro Suzuki Signed Cleats | Attributed to 1994 Season

Given by Ichiro to a Sporting Goods Shop, Tokyo

These cleats are attributed to Ichiro Suzuki’s 1994 season. 

After debuting with the Orix BlueWave in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Ichiro became a national sensation in 1994 when he recorded 210 hits, the first player in NPB history to surpass the 200-hit mark in a single season. That year marked the beginning of his dominance, as he went on to win seven consecutive batting titles and three consecutive Pacific League MVP awards. Ichiro’s unmatched precision at the plate, lightning-fast baserunning, and sublime fielding made him one of Japan’s most complete players.

In 2001, Ichiro made the jump to Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Seattle Mariners, where he immediately made history again. He captured both the American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in his debut season, leading the American League in batting average and the majors in stolen bases. Over the course of his MLB career, he became renowned for his consistent excellence—amassing more than 3,000 hits in the majors and over 4,300 combined hits between Japan and the U.S., one of the highest totals in professional baseball history. His achievements also included 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons and 10 Gold Glove Awards.

The lot is accompanied by a letter from James Spence Authentication in regards to the signatures. This lot is accompanied by a letter of provenance from Hidehiko Ito.