The bat on the statue of former Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki is broken during the unveiling ceremony outside of T-Mobile Park, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

SEATTLE — Oh, snap.

The unveiling of Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki’s statue had an unforced error on Friday — a broken bat.

As broadcaster Rick Rizzs declared “we’re going to count down from 51!” — a nod to Suzuki’s jersey number, which was retired by the Seattle Mariners — the curtain covering the bronze statue was pulled down, and so, too, went the bat.

A snapping noise could be heard as the bronze bat flopped down and confetti sprouted up.

“Here it is! The statue of one of the greatest players in the history of the game!” Rizzs declared as the curtain was pulled and a celebratory tune played outside of T-Mobile Park.

The statue depicts Suzuki in his batting stance. He appeared to find the mishap to be hilarious, and joked through an interpreter that New York Yankees Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera got the best of him again.

“I didn’t think Mariano would come out here,” Suzuki said with a smile, “and break the bat.”

It did not take long for the Mariners to fix the statue; Suzuki’s bat was soon turned upright and reconnected at the handle. The statue was sculpted by Chicago-based Lou Cella, who also produced statues of Mariners greats Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez, University of Washington football coach Don James, Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird, and former Seattle SuperSonics player and coach Lenny Wilkens.

Are Royals moving?

Kansas City, Missouri, would issue $600 million in bonds for a new stadium for Major League Baseball’s Royals under a proposal officials there are pursuing.

Mayor Quinton Lucas and nine of 12 City Council members introduced a proposed ordinance Thursday that would allow the city manager to negotiate with the Royals over a new stadium near the city’s historic Union Station.

The plan comes only months after Kansas lured professional football’s Chiefs over the state line with a massive stadium subsidy. The City Council could vote on the ordinance next week. The two teams have used side-by-side stadiums at the Truman Sports Complex since 1973.

Pope feels the love

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox are expanding their tribute to Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and longtime fan of the baseball team.

The White Sox have announced that they will now hand out pope-themed hats to all fans who attend their August 11 game against Cincinnati.

The promotional item was originally limited to fans who had purchased specialty theme night tickets. The hats are shaped like the Pope’s miter, with the team’s sock logo in the middle.

The White Sox say fans who had already purchased the specialty tickets would receive the hat and an additional item.

Not ready yet

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio is not yet ready to swing a bat as he recovers from a fractured left hand sustained March 4 while playing for Venezuela in an exhibition ahead of the World Baseball Classic.

Chourio had a scan of the hand on Thursday and Brewers manager Pat Murphy says: “It’s healing. It’s not quite ready, but better.” Chourio was hurt when hit by a pitch from Washington’s Clayton Beeter.

A 22-year-old outfielder, Chourio hit .275 with 21 homers and 79 RBIs as a rookie in 2024 and .270 with 21 homers and 78 RBIs last season.