One day, Ichiro himself might well be headed to Cooperstown for Hall of Fame induction. There's now no doubt which hat he would be wearing — that of the Seattle Mariners.

Official word of Ichiro's new five-year contract extension to remain with the Mariners through the 2012 season could come at a Friday news conference.

As of yesterday afternoon, the deal — which is expected to exceed $100 million in total value — remained unsigned. Ichiro's agent, Tony Attanasio, was said to be tied up all day in court watching his son try a case.

But it is believed the only remaining hangups are to finalize paperwork and conduct some medical tests.

Mariners president Chuck Armstrong said yesterday there was nothing new to report. Manager John McLaren couldn't shed any light on the Ichiro contract rumors, but he watched with pleasure as Ichiro stole the show at the All-Star Game.

"I thought he was spectacular, and I felt bad for J.J. (Putz, who gave up two runs in the ninth and was taken out)," McLaren said from his home in Peoria, Ariz.

"That ball by Dmitri Young came up on (second baseman) Brian Roberts (resulting in an inning-prolonging single). If not, J.J. would have had the save. I'm awfully proud of both of them."

Speaking of the reported contract extension in the works for Ichiro, McLaren said, "I read on the computer what everyone was saying. I'd love to see him end his career in Seattle, get 3,000 hits and go into the Hall of Fame as a Mariner.