Ichiro Suzuki paused at times to collect his thoughts and placed his hand on his heart as he spoke thoughtfully about what meant to have his No. 51 retired by the Seattle Mariners.

Suzuki acknowledged Johnson's "generosity" in allowing him to wear No. 51. The Mariners will pay tribute to Johnson in a ceremony next season.

As the Seattle Mariners retired Ichiro Suzuki's No. 51 jersey on Saturday night, team chairman John Stanton announced a new statue of the Hall of Famer will join those of Edgar Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr.