How Japan paid homage to Seiya Suzuki — not Ichiro — after World Baseball Classic championship win

They rushed onto the field, unable to contain their joy. Japan has claimed the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Shohei Ohtani had beaten his longtime teammate – and superstar – Mike Trout. Baseball was back in the global consciousness.

But even in the chaos of Samurai Japan’s celebrations, Hideki Kuriyama’s squad had plenty of time to wave the jersey of one of their fallen teammates.

The No. 51 jersey rippled in the humid Miami wind, seemingly in homage to Japanese baseball icon Ichiro.

Or was it?

MORE: Shohei Ohtani’s Japanese call to beat Mike Trout for WBC gold is must-see

On closer inspection, the #51 Suzuki jersey wasn’t an Ichiro tribute. Rather, it was a nod to injured teammate Seiya Suzuki, the Cubs outfielder who was forced to retire from the WBC with an oblique injury.

Suzuki, like many Japanese players growing up in NPB’s post-ichiro boom, adored the Mariners’ superstar. As such, he dons Ichiros #51 and pairs them with their appropriate last names.

MORE: Shohei Ohtani caps epic WBC run with top honor of tournament

However, as any M fan would point out, Ichiro paired his No. 51 with his first name. Suzuki, on the other hand, prefers to use his last name, a more commonly accepted practice (e.g. Shohei Ohtani, Hideki Matsui, etc.).

Suzuki was expected to be on the loaded Japanese list as an MLB representative along with Ohtani, Lars Nootbaar, Masataka Yoshida and Yu Darvish. His absence – along with that of Hiroshima Toyo carp pitcher Ryoji Kuribiyashi – didn’t change much in the final result. However, they were more than missed in the dugout, so much so that Samurai Japan hung their jerseys on the dugout walls throughout the tournament.

Suzuki, who hit 14 homers and hit .770 OPS in 111 games, likely won’t be ready for Chicago’s opening day. Manager David Ross told reporters that the organization is taking things slowly when it comes to Suzuki’s recovery.

MORE: Japan outlasts US as Shohei Ohtani seals victory

“It’s a small burden,” Ross said in February. “And I think it’s one of those things, we’re going to put the plan into action, act on how he’s feeling, let him build back up and the aim is to get him back when he’s fully healthy and really contribute and can help us. These weird things are pretty tricky, so we’re going to make sure to listen to his body.

A stylish gesture from Suzuki’s countrymen, even if some mistook it for a tribute to someone else.