Following 18-plus seasons in the MLB and 3,089 hits, Ichiro Suzuki officially announced his retirement at the conclusion of the Seattle Mariners' two-game set with the Oakland A's in Japan:

The 45-year-old native of Kasugai, Japan started in both games of the series, but the feeling around the league was that he would announce his retirement in his home country.

Ichiro is–without a doubt–one of the best hitters the game has ever seen. After coming over from Japan in 2001, he won the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, becoming the first player to capture both awards in their rookie year since Fred Lynn in 1975.

Suzuki led the majors in hits seven times, and his 262 hits in 2004 broke an 84-year-old record that was previously held by George Sisler. In fact, Ichiro rattled off at least 200 hits in each of his first 10 seasons in the big leagues, a record for consecutive 200-hit seasons. He is also the all-time professional hits leader 4,367, adding his 1,278 hits in Japan to 3,089 hits in the MLB.

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Not to be outdone in the field, Ichiro won 10 consecutive Gold Glove awards as a right fielder in his first 10 seasons. He also stole at least 30 bases in nine of those seasons, establishing himself as one of the best all-around players in baseball.

His unique style of slap-hitting and drag bunting from the left-hand side of the plate made him one of the game's truly special players.

But all good things must come to an end. And after nearly two decades in the bigs, Ichiro is hanging up the cleats.