I - and I think many other observers - thought Ichiro would...

I - and I think many other observers - thought Ichiro would be the one to say no and Hideki would say yes. I think he's grateful to (George) Steinbrenner for the new contract and the confidence in him. He feels more of an obligation to Steinbrenner than he does to Japan. It's not about the money, it's about the vote of confidence. I think he thought it would be rude to leave the team in spring training. If he hadn't just signed the contract, maybe he would have gone.