Suzuki and Sasaki Impose Media Ban

All-stars Ichiro Suzuki and Kazuhiro Sasaki are fed up with the Japanese media covering their play with the Seattle Mariners.

The two players from Japan issued a joint statement Friday saying they will not talk to the Japanese press corps until further notice.

“Their position is that it’s important their privacy away from the ballpark be respected,” said Tim Hevly, director of media relations for the Mariners. “And until such time they feel the Japanese media gives them that respect, they will be unable to speak with Japanese media.”

The players will continue to take questions from members of the U.S. media, Hevly said.

Hevly wouldn’t specify what sparked the players to issue the statement, only that there had been recent problems away from the field with unidentified Japanese journalists.

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