Author’s Note: Each week, I will select Asian-American news deemed unique from a certain state and summarize the content and its media responses. This week, I focused on news coming from Safeco Field in Seattle.

News: The Ichiro Suzuki Era in Seattle came to an unexpected end last Monday, when the Mariners traded the outfielder to the New York Yankees for two minor league prospects, The Associated Press reported. Ichiro made his Yankees debut in Seattle the same day of the trade, bowing twice to Mariner fans before his first-at-bat in pinstripes.

Media Response:

1. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports opined Ichiro’s move to the Yankees was “surreal,” but this new environment could be “well-suited” for him, since he is going to a team that could be heading to the playoffs.
2. Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times wrote this trade was “an equally-great move” for the Mariners, as the team no longer has to treat Ichiro like a superstar at the twilight of his career.
3. Ryan Christopher DeVault of the Yahoo Contributor Network offered a fan perspective on the trade.
4. Angry Asian Man wrote Ichiro wearing a Yankees uniform will be a “weird” sight to see.
5. Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com revealed Ichiro had to agree to the provisions proposed by the Yankees to “switch positions, hit at the bottom of the lineup and possibly sit against left-handed pitching” before they agreed to trade for him.

Social Media Response:

1. @DamonBruce: Ichiro to the Yankees? Would be funny if he played about 30 games, got hurt and signing a poison pill contract with Astros. #TooSoon.
2. The Ichimeter Lady, as reported by MLB.com, will continue rooting for Ichiro, but not for the Yankees.

Tags: Ichiro Suzuki, New York Yankees, Safeco Field, Seattle Mariners