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Here's a 22-year-old Ichiro meeting Michael Jordan in 1995

You know those moments when two legends come together and meet for the first time? The world stops spinning. Time ceases to exist. Mike Francesca wakes up from his nap.

Well, back in 1995, Ichiro met MJ for the first time. The 22-year-old outfielder was more than six years from making his Major League debut, Jordan had recently completed a short foray into the baseball world and Hideo Nomo was the reigning NL Rookie of the Year.

We first see Jordan warming up on the United Center floor as Ichiro -- wearing a turtleneck Tom and Jerry sweatshirt that deserves its own oral history -- studies the three-time NBA champion's routine intently. When they meet four minutes into the clip, the famously cool Ichiro is clearly star-struck. Jordan asks if he's a hitter or a pitcher -- and provides a bit of foreshadowing:

"Is he going to come play in America and play?" MJ wonders.

"Once my arm get as big as yours, then I'll think about it," Ichiro responds through a translator.

h/t: Reddit

-- Matt Monagan / MLB.com

 

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