In joining Marlins, Ichiro dons familiar No. 51

Uniform numbers are revered more in Japan than America. That’s probably explained in part by the culture of free agency and trades in the U.S. decreasing the chances that a player will be identified by one number for his entire career. The most anticipated moment of the news conference announcing Ichiro’s signing with the Marlins on was the return of his iconic No. 51 to his uniform.