Ichiro Suzuki, the unique and pioneering superstar who amassed 4,367 hits in 28 professional baseball seasons across two continents, announced his retirement on Thursday, concluding one of the most remarkable careers in the history of sports.

Suzuki, who is destined for a place in the Hall of Fame, told his Seattle Mariners teammates the news in Japan before their regular-season game against the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome. The news filtered out to the crowd and around the world after the Kyodo News Service reported it during the game.

“After nine years playing in Japan and entering my 19th season in America, I am announcing my retirement,” Suzuki said in Japanese after the game, at a ballroom packed with reporters in a hotel adjacent to the stadium. “I can’t describe how fortunate I feel to have my career conclude in the uniform of the Seattle Mariners.”

A day after he had become the oldest position player to start a season-opening game in the American League, Suzuki started Thursday’s game in right field and batted ninth. After going hitless in four at-bats, he took his position in right field to start the bottom of the eighth inning.