Ichiro Suzuki mashes home runs at Japanese high school after baseball team writes him a letter

If you write a letter to Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki asking if he'll hit some dingers at your high school, he might actually show up. Suzuki did exactly that Monday, surprising the baseball team at Kokugakuin Kugayama High School in Japan.

Members of the baseball team sent Suzuki a letter in January, according to the Washington Post. He reportedly told the players he kept the letter and will cherish it.

Then, Suzuki put on a show, mashing a couple home runs during batting practice.

Players can be seen smiling and exclaiming with joy when Suzuki makes solid contact with the ball.

In addition to taking batting practice, Suzuki also gave the kids some tips on how to steal bases.

After leaving MLB in 2019, Suzuki got certified to coach high school and college players in Japan. He spent a few days with at least one high school team in 2020. Suzuki will reportedly visit two other high schools this season, according to the Washington Post.

Ichiro Suzuki still working with Mariners

Suzuki joined the Mariners as a special assistant to the chairman after playing two games with the team in 2019. Suzuki works with both major-league and minor-league players in that role, and appeared at spring training with the team in 2021.

Following an excellent career in Japan, Suzuki joined the Mariners in 2001. He was named the MVP and won the Rookie of the Year award in his first season with the team. Suzuki spent 14 of his 19 seasons with the Mariners, and will almost certainly enter the Baseball Hall of Fame wearing a Mariners cap.

Suzuki still has a few more years before he's eligible to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Mariners will induct Suzuki into the team's Hall of Fame in 2022.