ICHIRO ON ICHIRO. Conversations with Narumi Komatsu. Translated by Philip Gabriel

Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 2004. First editiom. hardcover. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket. Laid into this copy is a 4 x 5 1/2 inch color photograph of Ichiro and Barack Obama standing in front of Ichiro's open locker at the Mariner's ballpark. "He makes it look so easy, all the hits, being named MVP in his first year in the major leagues, his acrobatic defense, his base-stealing that ruined the day of any opposing catcher. Ichiro was the first position player ever brought in from Japan. When Ichiro arrived at the Mariners spring training facility in the spring of 2001, as the superstar of Japanese baseball. He had nine league records in his pocket, including 216 consecutive at bats without striking out, and then he took Major League Baseball by storm. Just 3 years with the Mariners at the time this book was published, Ichiro already had a firm handle on; his decision to leave Japan and come to the major leagues, the work he puts in daily to achieve baseball excellence; the differences between Japanese and American baseball; he explains how the balls and bats are not the same, and how the stadium's are built differently, even the outfield grass becomes a factor. Ichiro even reflects on the influence that fans have on the game and how American fans know more about the details of the game. He relects on the insane media coverage that he has endured, and his awe of some of the greats of the game. He also breaks down the art and science of the swing. This wide-ranging commentary reveals for the first time the inner mind of one of baseball's finest practitioners. 242 pages illustrated from photographs.