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Despite being right-handed, Ichiro learned to hit left-handed based on his father's belief that doing so would allow him to reach first base more quickly. By age 12, he was resolutely pursuing a professional baseball career, inscribing the word "concentration" inside his glove, signifying his unwavering focus.
Overcoming Adversity in Japan
Ichiro's journey wasn’t without its challenges. After joining one of Japan's premier baseball programs, his father asked the coach never to praise Ichiro, as humility was key to building spiritual strength. Even when Ichiro dominated on the field—excelling as both a pitcher and an outfielder—he was subjected to physically demanding chores and later rigorous physical activities that he credited as shaping his character.