RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesSeattle — The record will forever show that Max Clark made his Major League debut in Sacramento last weekend.
But his real big-league debut, in an actual big-league stadium, was here Tuesday, at T-Mobile Park, complete with three decks, brighter lights and a retractable roof. And some real big-league amenities. Like when he came to bat in the second inning and Mariners’ All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh congratulated him on being called up.
Like, before the game, when his jaw nearly dropped to the ground when he walked out onto the field for the first time and saw one of his childhood idols shagging baseballs in center field — Hall-of-Famer Ichiro Suzuki.
“That was actually like my first, ‘Oh my God’ moment when I walked on the field yesterday,” Clark said. “It was a very surreal moment walking out there and seeing him still taking BP and throwing. Just unbelievable. You see this huge stadium and then in center field, Ichiro is tracking balls.”
Clark reached into his locker and, with a proud smile on his face, produced his most recent prized possession — a freshly autographed Ichiro game jersey.
“This is going in my man cave, for sure,” he said. “I already ordered the frame.”
Fair to wonder how a 21-year-old could have such an affinity for a 52-year-old legend who in 2004, the year Clark was born, led baseball in WAR, hits and batting average as a 30-year-old.
“He was my brother’s favorite player,” Clark said. “Mason is 31 and I just wanted to be like Mason. Ichiro was his favorite player. We grew up watching his games and we played every video game with Ichiro in it. I started wearing No. 51 because my brother wore it. And then I feel in love with Ichiro.”
Clark was looking forward to meeting Ichiro, something manager AJ Hinch was going to set up either Wednesday or Thursday.
“I didn’t know that Max wore 51 as a young player,” Hinch said. “He is pretty enamored with him.”
Hinch does this a lot. A couple years ago he found out that Jackson Jobe idolized former Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole. So, before a spring game in Tampa, Hinch introduced the two and they had a long conversation.
“When you can open up doors, who knows what can happen,” Hinch said. “Over the years, it’s just been something I really believe in. If it’s important to one of my players, I’m certainly going to open a door if I can. Besides, I caught enough games behind Ichiro to be able to say hello to him. Like I feel I am responsible for a certain portion of his hits (laughing).
“But it is nice to be able to connect generations and have guys meet their idols or the guys they grew up watching.”
Ichiro, by the way, is Clark’s second favorite player. Bryce Harper is No. 1.
“Harper was always No. 1,” Clark said. “He’s more in my era. Just the way he plays the game. That’s exactly what I want to be in every facet of the game.”
Clark met Harper two years ago during a spring training game in Clearwater. It is one of Clark’s best and worst memories.
“It was my first big-league spring start,” he said. “I wasn’t an NRI (non-roster invitee), I was just filling in. It was such a crazy moment. I couldn’t get a word out. I got to first base and he said, ‘What’s up, Max?’ And I responded with his name. I literally go, ‘Bryce Harper.’ Little rough.
“Hopefully with Ichiro I will at least say, ‘Hi, I’m Max.’”
@cmccosky
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers' Max Clark has first official 'Oh my God' big-league moment
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