TOKYO — Ichiro Suzuki says he has a renewed sense of purpose entering his first full season with the New York Yankees. “Signing with the Yankees has given me a new sense of determination,” the 39-year-old outfielder said Tuesday after a workout in Kobe. “This is a unique team; a team that can have a player like Alex Rodriguez as a pinch-hitter is special and to be part of that is exciting.” The Yankees and Suzuki finalized a $13 million, two-year contract in December that keeps the 10-time Major League Baseball All-Star in the Bronx. Suzuki, who will make $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons, was obtained in a trade with Seattle on July 23 last year, reviving his career and quickly making him a fan favorite in New York. His batting average jumped from .261 with the Mariners to .322 with the Yankees, with five homers, 27 RBIs and 14 steals. A key player when Japan won the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009, Suzuki has opted out of the tournament in March, saying he decided after the 2009 event that he had no intention of playing in 2013. “There is no reason for me to explain that here,” Suzuki said, adding that he intends to watch the tournament. A 10-time Gold Glove outfielder with speed and a strong arm, Suzuki has 2,606 hits in 12 MLB seasons. He expects to see corner outfield time after right fielder Nick Swisher signed with the Cleveland Indians as a free agent. Suzuki bristled when asked about turning 40 in October: “It's annoying to be asked about age.” Japan to stick with lucky 'Spiderman' pants Japan will stick with its lucky red Spiderman-style pants in their bid to win a third successive World Baseball Classic (WBC) title, head coach Koji Yamamoto said Monday. “We'll be wearing the red pants,” Yamamoto told reporters, looking forward to his side's opening game against surprise qualifiers Brazil on March 2 in Fukuoka. “Brazil have good pitching. The first game will be extremely important.” Brazil joins the defending champion powerhouse Cuba and China in Pool A after stunning Panama in qualifying. Despite opting for the snazzy 'superhero' look, Yamamoto warned his players to dress conservatively and keep the lid on the hair dye during the March 2-19 tournament. “You can see by the way they're preparing for the WBC that this is a serious bunch,” the 66-year-old added. “They represent Japan and their appearance should reflect that.” Yamamoto has already given a warning to Nippon Ham Fighters outfielder Sho Nakata, who began New Year workouts with his hair bleached. “If he comes to camp like that I'll hit the roof,” said the 'Samurai Japan' skipper, who has not selected any Major League Baseball (MLB) players for the 16-team competition. Japan, whose chances of a hat trick of victories has been weakened by the absence of players such as Ichiro Suzuki and Yu Darvish, almost pulled out of the event after a row over sponsorship revenue. Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) warned that a player boycott would be frowned on at home after the 2011 tsunami and nuclear crisis and the threat was averted. Japan has a history of discontent regarding the issue of sponsorship rights, threatening to organize an Asian boycott of the inaugural 2006 tournament. — Agencies
