SEATTLE (Kyodo) — Japanese baseball icon Ichiro Suzuki delivered a message of gratitude during the Seattle Mariners’ ceremony to retire his No. 51 shirt on Aug. 9, especially to its previous wearer, Randy Johnson.

The 51-year-old Ichiro, who became the first Asian-born inductee into the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27 in Cooperstown, New York, was back at his old ballpark, T-Mobile Park, where fans had another chance to enjoy his witty speech.

“I’m so grateful to be here today to receive this highest of honors,” said Ichiro, widely known just by his first name, before quipping, “But whose idea was it to have me give two speeches in English in two weeks? It’s one of the toughest challenges of my career.”

Footage from his playing days was shown on the big screen, and a new “ICHIRO 51” plate was unveiled in the left-center stands, drawing loud cheers from fans before he expressed his appreciation for the occasion.

“I’m damn proud to be a Seattle Mariner,” Ichiro said, citing the words from his former teammate and Hall of Famer George Kenneth Griffey Jr. “Just like him, I realized by going away, there really is no place like home.”

In 2001, Ichiro won both the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP awards after leading the league with a .350 batting average, 242 hits and 56 stolen bases for the 116-46 Mariners. He broke George Sisler’s 84-year-old single-season record of 257 hits in 2004, finishing the season with 262.