Part 3/7:
His affinity for pitching came to the fore again during the World Baseball Classic in 2009, where he prepared to serve as an emergency pitching option. However, it was only later, in 2015, that he was finally granted the chance to pitch in a Major League game. On the final day of the regular season, each of the Marlins and Phillies being devoid of playoff aspirations, MLB history was about to be made.
The Big League Debut
Having just struck out as a batter in the eighth inning of a game, Ichiro made a surprising shift from right field to the pitcher's mound for the Marlins in the next inning. As he walked to the mound, a sense of excitement filled the air; spectators understood they were witnessing an unprecedented moment.