Ichiro bids a final farewell to fans at Safeco Field

Ichiro was back in his familiar leadoff position at Safeco Field Wednesday afternoon— too bad for Seattle Mariners fans— it was still in that unfamiliar No. 31 New York Yankees uniform.

The popular outfielder turned to the seats and gave a final tip of his cap to his mournful fans— standing in the same right field seats behind him like they have for 11-1/2 seasons— after the last out was made in the Yankees 5-2 win.  Once the simple gesture was through,  Ichiro turned and trotted over to the infield where he high-fived his new Yankees teammates.

Ichiro might have walked off the field victorious, but there must have been a little sadness in his heart since vacating the same right field turf he patrolled for almost 12 years in his No. 51 Mariners jersey.

Ichiro finished the game 1-for-5 and was caught stealing, while five Yankees pitchers held the Mariners to three hits.  New York won the rubber match of the three-game series.

Even sadder to Seattle fans than Wednesday's loss, will be the last sight of their favorite player celebrating a Yankee win on their home field, after watching Ichiro bid farewell as a Mariner forever.