For the first time in his American career, Ichiro will not bat first for the Seattle Mariners (Photo: Creative Commons)-
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PEORIA, Ariz. - Seattle manager Eric Wedge says he will
begin the season having Chone Figgins bat leadoff and hit Ichiro
Suzuki third in the Mariners batting order. Wedge made the announcement on Tuesday.
It will be the first
time in his career that Suzuki will not bat leadoff on a regular
basis, having hit somewhere else in the batting order only a few
times in his decade-long career with the Mariners.
Suzuki is coming off the worst year of his career in America,
hitting .272, the first time he's failed to hit at least .300.
Suzuki's 184 hits were also a career low.
Wedge had hinted during the offseason that he might move Suzuki.
He's hoping the move will also jumpstart Figgins, who has slumped
in two seasons with the Mariners.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
