There are times when a person is born possessing all the elements required for a particular profession.
Such a person dedicates their life to that calling, pursues relentless effort, and achieves unparalleled accomplishments.

Chosen by the divine, and chosen by their craft.

A genius destined for their calling.

From time to time, such individuals emerge.
One of them became known to the baseball world by the name Ichiro.
With extraordinary skill and a slender physique, he made his way to Major League Baseball.

In a league where power players smash home runs with full swings,
and towering figures close to 2 meters tall strike out batters with fastballs exceeding 160 km/h,
Ichiro achieved results with a completely different approach, defying the conventional values of baseball in the West, captivating audiences worldwide.

Given his achievements and legacy in America, one could arguably call Ichiro the “founder of the Way of Baseball.”
At least, that’s what I personally believe.

I’m no baseball expert, nor have I studied Ichiro in depth, but I’d like to offer my own take and analyze what I call “Ichiro’s Way of Baseball.”

The Foundation of Ichiro’s Way

Where does this path lead?

To win a game by outscoring the opponent by just one run.
To achieve this, he focused on doing what needed to be done and what he was capable of doing.
The first step in this process: knowing oneself deeply and thoroughly.
Through analysis, he determined what was necessary in any given moment and executed it.
Calmly and consistently.

This, I believe, forms the foundation of Ichiro’s Way of Baseball.

The “Japanese Essence” in Ichiro’s Play

When Ichiro went to America, his “Japanese essence” stood out even more prominently.
His stance in the batter’s box was nothing short of that of a samurai.

It was beautiful.

The way he handled his equipment was meticulous and professional.
He must have studied their usage thoroughly.

Historically, the approach to tools has been markedly different between Japan and the West.
In the West, tools are continuously improved to make them more efficient and easier to use.

In contrast, Japanese people often refine their skills and techniques, even with tools that are somewhat inconvenient or lacking in rationality.
This is what leads to the concept of “The Way” (Dō).
And it is also the “Japanese essence” within Ichiro.

The Art of the Bat

Take, for example, Ichiro’s use of the bat.
He wielded it with the finesse of a tennis racket.
His bat control likely mirrored the level of precision found in tennis placements.

Using the bat as if it had a wide surface like a racket, he brought the intricate placement strategies of tennis into the realm of baseball.
(Not that I can say for sure, but that’s my impression.)

Rather than merely focusing on hitting the “sweet spot” of the bat, he utilized a broader range of points with intent.
He wasn’t just aiming for general areas like left-center field or the gap between second and shortstop;
he targeted highly specific spots.
I believe his batting was geared toward setting up the next action or base-running, making every placement deliberate and calculated.

Strategy and Probability

Ichiro was always strategic, constantly evaluating the probabilities of potential plays.
What would yield the best outcome?
What was the optimal response for himself?

He wouldn’t always aim for a clean hit; sometimes, he intentionally made weaker contact to leverage his speed and reach first base.
He likely even considered how to disrupt the defensive rhythm of the opposing team.
What a frustrating player he must have been for his opponents!

Every play he made was likely an output of his unique Way of Baseball.

Beyond the Game

He brought us years of enjoyment with his remarkable performances.
And at times, he even veered away from the strict path of baseball to offer moments of entertainment.

This is, of course, just my personal analysis, and he might strongly disagree with my interpretations.
I’d love to have a chance to speak with him directly to hear his thoughts.

But then again…

Wouldn’t it be amazing if he came out of retirement?

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