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Master bat maker

TOKYO, Japan - Master bat maker Isokazu Kubota (R) and Hideki Matsui, then a player of the New York Yankees, chat at Mizuno Technics Corp. in Yoro, Gifu Prefecture, in December 2003. The craftsman whose bats have launched thousands of big league hits for Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki announced his retirement on Jan. 28, 2014.

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Ichiro's baseball bat makers

GIFU, Japan - Baseball bat makers Isokazu Kubota (R) and Tamio Nawa of Mizuno Technics Corp. hold the same model of baseball bat used by Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, in the town of Yoro, Gifu Prefecture, on Sept. 24, 2010. Ichiro has set a new Major League Baseball record of 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons.

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Ichiro's baseball bat makers

GIFU, Japan - Baseball bat makers Isokazu Kubota (R) and Tamio Nawa of Mizuno Technics Corp. hold the same model of baseball bat used by Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, in the town of Yoro, Gifu Prefecture, on Sept. 24, 2010. Ichiro has set a new Major League Baseball record of 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons. (Kyodo)