Ichiro Suzuki turns down Japan's prestigious People's Honor Award

International baseball star Ichiro Suzuki turned down the prestigious People's Honor Award, Japan's top government spokesman said Friday.Suzuki, who retired from professional baseball last month, instructed his agent to notify the government of his intention to decline the award, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press briefing in Tokyo.The 45-year-old former major leaguer said he wishes to "devote himself so he can receive it when he draws the curtain on his life," according to Suga."We will respect his thoughts and we will not go forward with (offering him the award) follow…READ FULL ARTICLE