SEATTLE -- The Mariners retired the iconic No. 51 on Saturday, honoring Ichiro Suzuki in a pregame ceremony at T-Mobile Park before facing the Tampa Bay Rays .

"What's up, Seattle!" Suzuki screamed. "I'm so grateful to be here today, to receive this highest honor."

The recent Hall of Fame inductee becomes just the third Mariners player to have his number retired by the franchise, joining legends Ken Griffey Jr. (No. 24) and Edgar Martinez (No. 11).

"Congratulations on being inducted into the Hall of Fame and having your number retired," Griffey said in a video tribute. "It's about damn time. I mean, what took you so long? I've been there for five years."

Suzuki made history as the first Japanese-born player inducted into the Hall of Fame, earning a near-unanimous 99.7% of the vote

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