Photo of the day

DMZ · July 15, 2009 at 1:01 pm · Filed Under Mariners 

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— from the White House photostream

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97 Responses to “Photo of the day”

  1. Gustafson on July 16th, 2009 8:41 am

    Hopefully that was Mike Honcho’s last post here. If you honestly can’t grasp the magnitude of why this was a big deal, then you shouldn’t be here. Good job, trying to rain on the parade.

    Seriously? Honcho should have done what I (and any other non Obama supporters did) – not post anything on this thread. Not my parade to rain on. But I’m not sure it’s worthy of hoping the guy never posts again. Come on.

    And personally, I may not care for his politics, but it’s cool to see a Mariner with the sitting Prez. I definitely agree with the mods on that.

  2. msb on July 16th, 2009 8:45 am

    Is that a giant alligator-skin man purse in his locker?

    I believe it would be a “tote” …

  3. joser on July 16th, 2009 9:19 am

    Okay, here’s my goal. I want to get a print of this and I want to get it signed by both of them. This may take awhile, but it would be about as cool a souvenir as I can think of.

    That’s an awesome idea. If you have a Flickr (or Yahoo) account (and you live in the US) you can order a print right from that page on Flickr (there’s a link right above the photo).

    And then 50 odd years from now, we can watch (via neural implants or retinal displays or whatever) you or your children discover that signed picture is worth $10,000 on “Antiques Roadshow.” (Unofortunately, thanks to inflation, $10,000 then is about the price of one bleacher ticket at Safeco. Creaky, venerable, sixty-year-old Safeco. Which of course hasn’t been called Safeco for years since the naming rights were sold, like virtually everything else, to various buyers in India and China. It’s now Yunnan Lucky Farmers’ Collective Bank Field.)

  4. Craig on July 16th, 2009 9:27 am

    I bet Ichiro was not impressed with Obama’s decision to wear mom jeans.

  5. msb on July 16th, 2009 9:33 am

    Speaking of fine Mariners photos, Larry Stone gives us Felix and Jeremy

  6. joser on July 16th, 2009 9:33 am

    Is that a giant alligator-skin man purse in his locker?

    I believe that’s where he keeps the tormented souls of opposing pitchers.

    Or maybe it’s a disguised cooler for a six-pack of South Pacific Lager.

  7. joser on July 16th, 2009 9:36 am

    I bet Ichiro was not impressed with Obama’s decision to wear mom jeans.

    I wasn’t either. But then I realized they were probably bullet-proof. It’s hard to get a slim, form-fitting silhouette in denim-coated kevlar.

  8. Axtell on July 16th, 2009 10:00 am

    Gustaf-I don’t care about the politics of the situation, for any Mariner to be recognized by the President of the US and to have him go out of his way to search him out and give him an autograph, and the obvious glee in which Ichiro obviously displayed in his interaction, when he goes out of his way to hide any and all emotion should have been a delight for any mariner fan.

  9. terry on July 16th, 2009 10:29 am

    To me the most controversial part of the picture posted above centers on the pen the President’s left hand.

    Is the President trying to get Ichiro’s autograph or is Ichiro trying to get the President’s?

  10. Craig on July 16th, 2009 10:32 am

    Obama is left-handed. He’s signing the ball for Ichiro.

  11. scott19 on July 16th, 2009 10:37 am

    Awesome pic!

    Of course, my dad said afterward, “Can you imagine how much money that baseball will be worth someday?!” 🙂

  12. Paul B on July 16th, 2009 10:41 am

    I’m pretty sure that my two favorite Mariners of all time are Edgar and Ichiro.

    You can have Junior, Randy, and even Buhner or Moyer. If I got to go out to dinner with the Mariner of my choice, I’d pick Ichiro or Edgar.

  13. payday0023 on July 16th, 2009 10:49 am

    Ichiro for President!!

  14. Lauren, token chick on July 16th, 2009 10:56 am

    It’s true, no matter what your politics you cannot support Obama’s liking for mom jeans. C’mon, man. You’re supposed to be COOL.

  15. Typical Idiot Fan on July 16th, 2009 10:57 am

    Here we see a photo of one of the most powerful men in the world, an inspirational leader to millions, and a great leader and Barak Obama.

  16. joser on July 16th, 2009 11:02 am

    Speaking of fine Mariners photos, Larry Stone gives us Felix and Jeremy

    That’s a great picture. “Dad, dude, where are we going!? Mr. McDreamy Sideburns is at the plate!”

    There are also some good quotes in that article from players who have batted against Felix

    I think this year, when we faced him, he wasn’t just trying to throw the ball by you. He was pitching a little. Using his sinker a little more, not just trying to throw the ball by you up in the zone. His sinkers were good, he was mixing it up. He’s growing as a pitcher. Everyone learns.

    Actually, from reading his entire quote, Adrian Gonzalez comes across as a very thoughtful, insightful guy. I bet there’s a coaching career for him after his playing days if he wants one.

    Also in that link (and keeping this on topic): more on Ichiro’s custom shoes. (“Not silver. Platinum.”)

  17. kenshabby on July 16th, 2009 12:03 pm

    Is that a giant alligator-skin man purse in his locker?

    Hip Japanese guys are totally secure in their metrosexuality. Ichiro has turned a woman’s designer purse into a manly tote.

  18. msb on July 16th, 2009 12:41 pm

    Shannon Drayer needs to investigate.

  19. SoulofaCitizen on July 16th, 2009 12:49 pm

    Very cool. I’d cringe were it Bush, but Ichiro with Obama…can’t get any better

  20. SoulofaCitizen on July 16th, 2009 12:51 pm

    There’s also an interesting kinship in that both Obama and Ichiro are preternaturally calm, while excelling at what they do. Nothing wrong with more emotional styles, but they definitely share that character trait.

  21. MKT on July 16th, 2009 12:55 pm

    This photo may be destined to become the second most classic prez-celebrity photo of all time (nothing can top the Richard Nixon/Elvis Presley pic, still a best-selling souvenir at the Richard Nixon Library).
    http://tinyurl.com/kp7948

  22. Gustafson on July 16th, 2009 1:41 pm

    Very cool. I’d cringe were it Bush, but Ichiro with Obama…can’t get any better

    I think that is the most honest comment of the thread. Let’s face it – the amount you think this is cool is pretty much dictated by the amount you like the President. Let’s not pretend everyone would feel it were just as cool that Ichiro is in a photo with the Prez if you didn’t like the Prez.

  23. Lauren, token chick on July 16th, 2009 1:52 pm

    I think you’re right, Gustafson. Well, it still might be cool if you were neutral about the President, but not if you actively disliked him (as I did Bush).

    Actually, I would have thought more highly of Bush if he had ever sought Ichiro out to give him his autograph… :>

  24. CCW on July 16th, 2009 1:53 pm

    I think the picture dovetails nicely with the Bavasi:Zduriencik as Bush:Obama analogy that many have made (though not here, that I know of).

  25. joser on July 16th, 2009 2:04 pm

    Let’s face it – the amount you think this is cool is pretty much dictated by the amount you like the President. Let’s not pretend everyone would feel it were just as cool that Ichiro is in a photo with the Prez if you didn’t like the Prez.

    While that’s mostly true, I think you can (and I do) appreciate it from another angle: here are two guys who crossed a lot of obstacles and overcame a lot of doubts to be the first men from their respective backgrounds to succeed at the highest level in their chosen fields in the US. No matter what you think of Obama, he is the first black president; no matter what you think of Ichiro, he is the first Japanese position player (and hits leader, and MVP, and….) And neither one of them would’ve gotten the opportunity half a century ago. This isn’t just a picture of two men; it’s a picture of America overcoming its past and living up to its ideals. The obstacles and achievements may not be exactly comparable, but the ghosts of Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente are standing in that picture too.

  26. joser on July 16th, 2009 2:07 pm

    You could toss Tiger Woods in there to round it out. Maybe Eminem also 😉

  27. DMZ on July 16th, 2009 2:14 pm

    Let’s not pretend everyone would feel it were just as cool that Ichiro is in a photo with the Prez if you didn’t like the Prez.

    Oh god. Well, I look forward to closing comments on this post shortly. Thanks.

  28. georgmi on July 16th, 2009 2:15 pm

    appreciate it from another angle:

    I hadn’t thought of it that way. You’re right; that adds a whole ‘nother level of cool. Thanks for pointing it out.

  29. Lauren, token chick on July 16th, 2009 2:19 pm

    Yeah, good point, joser. And DMZ, while Gustafson might have opened up the gate for a bunch of crap, I think his case is well-stated and polite.

  30. DMZ on July 16th, 2009 2:21 pm

    Sure. It’s that in that comment it’s now taken a definitive turn towards politics and people’s opinion of Obama, which is pretty much death to threads.

  31. Gustafson on July 16th, 2009 2:36 pm

    Sure. It’s that in that comment it’s now taken a definitive turn towards politics and people’s opinion of Obama, which is pretty much death to threads.

    I don’t think my comment caused people to give their opinion on Obama. Below is the 10th comment on the thread:

    I may just have had a religious experience. My two great figures of admiration, interacting. It’s like some crazy fantasy mash-up.

    But I digress. I apologize if I offended anyone.

  32. Jeff Nye on July 16th, 2009 2:39 pm

    Honestly, for me (although I’m a big Obama fan) the coolness is mostly in Ichiro’s reaction to interacting with the office of the President, not so much the person who currently holds the office.

    Yes, I’d like it less if it were a picture of him with Bush, but only marginally. Ichiro’s reaction is what makes it, for me.

  33. 95Ms on July 16th, 2009 2:51 pm

    Maybe Obama also interviewed him for the next supreme court opening? That’d be a perfect post-baseball career for !chi!ro! (Not that I want his post-baseball to ever become reality.) Ichiro forever! I want to see him get up to .400 this year. It could happen, maybe, what, a 1% chance? Higher?

    It’s good to see Cone testifying at the Sotomayor hearings – nice. So, we can have the judge who saved baseball and the player who saved baseball coolness (and the all-time hits leader) both on the same court. It’s only appropriate you know.

  34. Paul B on July 16th, 2009 3:09 pm

    More Ichiro, from Stone’s interview with him at the All Star Game:

    Asked to weigh in on the raging debate over whether the Mariners should be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, Ichiro said, “This is something for fans to talk about, and fans to enjoy. It’s not our jobs as players to throw our opinion to get in the way of their enjoyment.”

    Another example of why we like Ichiro!

  35. JMB on July 16th, 2009 3:11 pm

    What an amusing thread.

    Had this happened four years ago, the picture either wouldn’t have been posted in the first place, would have been posted with a snide comment, or would have a comment thread full of snide comments.

    Instead, comments like “If you honestly can’t grasp the magnitude of why this was a big deal, then you shouldn’t be here” are praised while the likes of “Let’s not pretend everyone would feel it were just as cool that Ichiro is in a photo with the Prez if you didn’t like the Prez” get ridiculed.

  36. Lauren, token chick on July 16th, 2009 3:16 pm

    Actually, JMB, no one ridiculed Gustafson at all. Everyone (well except DMZ, who was overcome by paranoia) offered a serious and sincere response.

    Not sure what you’re reading in your head.

  37. Typical Idiot Fan on July 16th, 2009 3:58 pm

    Sure. It’s that in that comment it’s now taken a definitive turn towards politics and people’s opinion of Obama, which is pretty much death to threads.

    Yep. I’m already finding myself having to bite my tongue too hard. Let’s not go anywhere near that and just say the photo is pretty damn awesome.

  38. kevin p on July 16th, 2009 4:17 pm

    Ahh looking for a high res image for my desktop! Awesomeness!!

  39. joser on July 16th, 2009 5:26 pm

    Ahh looking for a high res image for my desktop!

    Ask and ye shall receive. (And if you complain that’s not high enough res, I want your screen. You can see every grey hair on both their heads, not to mention the scales on Ichiro’s manpurse.)

    You know, I’d like that nameplate from his locker, autographed of course.

  40. Mike Honcho on July 16th, 2009 8:09 pm

    Yayyy, we almost made it to 30 comments without someone shitting on the thread. Good job, Mike Honcho! You’ve managed to be sour about a picture of Ichiro!

    Let us know how you did it so that we can apply such finely-honed skills to family gatherings, birthday parties, and bar mitzvahs and wherever people are happy.

    Oh puhleeeze! You are kidding, right? Again – athletes are often photographed with the President. The fact that it is Ichiro doing so makes it a bit more fun, but the giddiness displayed by some is a bit bizarre.

    Ichiro met the President. That’s great. Good for him. Presumably, 65 other players did as well. Good for them.

  41. DMZ on July 16th, 2009 8:25 pm

    Vwoooosh!

  42. dw on July 17th, 2009 12:12 am

    Don’t any of you remember when Dubya asked to meet Edgar?

    Not that this isn’t an awesome picture and is my desktop background.

  43. kayjay on July 17th, 2009 5:29 am

    I am visting NYC-stumbled on Obama motorcade last night. The aura of power of the office is heady stuff-no matter one’s politics. Joser was spot on. I just want to say New Yorkers are shockingly dismissive of the greatness that is Ichiro. New Yorkers simutaneously know and don’t know baseball, like idiot savants. I will be happy to board the plane home.
    Breadbaker: good luck. Unless you are in photo getting pres. Autograph is hard. Try working our Senators and your congressman-Adam Smith headed WA state Obama campaign I think. Or try Gary Locke. Art History geek here loves this photo, but Elvis/Nixon was all time best. Still-Wow!

  44. Lauren, token chick on July 17th, 2009 10:21 am

    Ha, dw, I don’t think I ever noticed that story! And now, as an anti-Bushite, I have to say… that’s pretty dang cool. :>

  45. scott19 on July 17th, 2009 1:07 pm

    While that’s mostly true, I think you can (and I do) appreciate it from another angle: here are two guys who crossed a lot of obstacles and overcame a lot of doubts to be the first men from their respective backgrounds to succeed at the highest level in their chosen fields in the US. No matter what you think of Obama, he is the first black president; no matter what you think of Ichiro, he is the first Japanese position player (and hits leader, and MVP, and….) And neither one of them would’ve gotten the opportunity half a century ago. This isn’t just a picture of two men; it’s a picture of America overcoming its past and living up to its ideals. The obstacles and achievements may not be exactly comparable, but the ghosts of Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente are standing in that picture too.

    Bang-on post there, Joser…and you’re right. That moment in time Tuesday night spoke volumes. 🙂

  46. kevin p on July 17th, 2009 8:38 pm

    thanks!!

  47. Blue Mtn Sea on July 18th, 2009 4:28 am

    And neither one of them would’ve gotten the opportunity half a century ago.

    This guy hit the nail on the head!

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