ICYMI: Ichiro Gives Award Acceptance Speech In English [VIDEO]

You may have been too busy Saturday evening getting your fill of college football in order to see a rare occurrence at T-Mobile Park. In a first-of-its-kind ceremony, the Seattle Mariners bestowed Ichiro Suzuki the Mariners Franchise Achievement Award before the M's game against the Chicago White Sox.
Ichiro, who was joined on field by current Mariners players, coaches, brass and Hall of Famers Ken Griffey, Jr. and Edgar Martinez, delivered his acceptance speech completely in English.

While it had long been known that Suzuki could speak and understand the language, throughout his trailblazing 18-year MLB career, he always chose to conduct interviews with a translator.

A unique and special night for a unique and special player. Here is his speech in its entirety: