Ichiro Unhurt in Car Accident

 

If you were wondering what that sigh of relief was coming from New York earlier Saturday night, it was Yankees fans finding out that outfielder Ichiro Suzuki walked away from a car accident in Florida unscathed.

"He is fine," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told the New York Post. "His interpreter called to let us know."

According to police, the perennial All-Star was southbound on a Tampa highway around 4 pm Saturday when he hit a woman making a left hand turn in front of him. 

“He struck her,” Tampa Lt. Ronald McMullen said. “She ended up hitting a third car, but there were no injuries.”

"The car was turning left and turned into me. I slammed on the brakes and couldn't do anything about it, but I had the green light," Ichiro said through his interpreter, Allen Turner.  "I realize that air bags actually do exist. You can trust the car makers that they do make good air bags and safe cars."


The Yankees are already without Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez, so, yeah...they're in no position to lose their starting right fielder.  In 67 games with the Bombers last season, Ichiro hit .322. 


 

Yu Darvish Museum in the Works

Just in case you weren't aware how big of a star Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish is in Japan...this should convince you.

According to Japanese media reports, planning is underway for a Darvish museum in the Hyogo prefecture, in the southern part of the country. The tentative plan calls for a November opening

No word as to what would be included in the exhibit, but something tells me it won't be able to compete with the one dedicated to Ichiro Suzuki. Then again, the "Ichiro Exhibition Room" is run by the New York Yankees superstar's parents in his hometown of Toyoyama, Japan.

For the record, Ichiro's museum has an autographed Snoop Dogg poster. Your move, Darvish!

Ichiro Hoping to Don Pinstripes in 2013

Immediately following their collapse in the ALCS, speculation was that the New York Yankees were planning on blowing up the team and starting anew.

Now, it's too early to know if the Yankees are going to do that or not, but acording to a New York Post report, one veteran is hoping to return to the Bronx Bombers.

Ichiro Suzuki has been telling those close to him that "he so enjoyed playing in a professional, winning atmosphere with so many contemporaries near his age range" and that a one-year deal, perhaps with an option, in the $5 million-to-$8 million range might be enough to keep him in pinstripes.

You'll remember, the Japanese superstar was sent to the Big Apple from the Seattle Mariners back in July.  In 67 games with the Yankees, he hit .322 while spending time at all three outfielder positions.

The 39-year-old 2001 American League MVP is a free agent and will enter 2013 fourth on the active hits list with 2606.

Report: Ichiro to the Bronx

According to Jack Curry, the New York Yankees aren't about to let the recent news that Brett Gardner is out for the season detour them from their ultimate goal.

And joining them in the quest for their 28th ring...Ichiro Suzuki.

The 38-year-old Ichiro is in the midst of a, now, season-and-a-half long slump.  This season, he's batting just .261...a far cry from his career batting average of .322.

And in case you were wondering how Ichiro might do in pinstripes, the former Seattle Mariner is hitting .339 in 52 career games in New York.

Your move, baseball.

Ichiro's Doppleganger Shows Up at Autograph Signing

Something tells me that if Ichiro Suzuki showed up at a Tokyo steakhouse, he wouldn't have to wait in line to get teammate Michael Saunders' autograph.

But that's exactly what happened.  Kinda.

Apparently, the Seattle Mariners superstar has a doppleganger and, naturally, he took it upon himself to show up at an autograph signing Monday...dressed exactly like the ten-time All-Star.

"I couldn't tell the difference," Saunders said. "It was unbelievable. Full uni, the facial hair, everything. That was dead on. That was really good."

This past season Ichiro finished with a career-low .272 batting average and 184 hits, the first time in his 11-year Major League career he did not record 200 hits.

So, if that trend continues...perhaps it's time to call in his stunt double.

Ten American League Milestones to Watch For

With the start of the 2012 Major League Baseball season just around the corner, it’s time to check out some upcoming milestones. And unlike years in the past where The Hall has broken down the leagues division by division…we’re going league-by-league.

Yesterday, we took a look at the milestones on the horizon in the National League.  But today…it’s all about the American League!

2500
Last year, New York Yankees superstar Derek Jeter entered the season on the cusp of 3000 career hits. This year, we’re not as lucky. The most exciting hitting milestone involves Ichiro Suzuki. The Seattle Mariners outfielder is 72 hits from 2500. Why is that cool? Should the perennial All-Star get those in his first 36 games…he would become the second fastest all-time to reach 2500 hits. Also on the docket for Ichiro…with another 200-hit season, he’ll have a record breaking 11 seasons with 200-plus base knocks.

712
On May 15, 2003, the Boston Red Sox faced the Texas Rangers in front of a packed house.  711 games later...they're still playing to a sold out stadium.  And while 2012 marks 100 years of the BoSox at Fenway Park, 712 consecutive sellouts is pretty darn impressive.  Heck, it bests the second longest streak by more than 250 games!

400
Chicks dig the longball, right? No? Maybe?!? Well, if that’s still true, they’re going to love following three American League sluggers as they approach 400 career home runs. Chasing down the milestone…Paul Kornerko (who enters 2012 with 396), David Ortiz (378) and Adam Dunn (365).

200
New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia has an outside chance of reaching 200 victories this season. Sure, he’s going to need to channel Justin Verlander and win 24 games, but with some run support…the big lefty could pull it off.

192
Derek Jeter already has 3000 career hits…now it’s time for the New York Yankees legend to move up the ladder. The shortstop enters the season with 3088 hits and should he duplicate last season’s output (162 hits), he’ll jump from 20th all-time to 13th…right between Eddie Murray (3255) and Nap Lajoie (3242)

191
No one is going to argue with you if you said that Adam Dunn’s first season with the Chicago White Sox was awful. Lost in his dismal .159 batting average were his 177 strikeouts in just 122 games. Entering 2012, the “Big Donkey” is 191 strikeouts away from becoming the fastest player to ever reach 2000 career whiffs. And before you think it isn’t possible…he’s K’d 191 or more times three other times in his career.

13
Should Octavio Dotel make the roster for the Detroit Tigers (and he will), he’ll be pitching for his record 13th team. The 38-year-old righty is currently tied with Mike Morgan, Matt Stairs and Ron Villone.

12
With Tony LaRussa out of the picture, Detroit Tigers skipper Jim Leyland enters 2012 as the wins leader among active managers with 1588. With 12 victories, he’ll not only reach 1600, but he will surpass Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda who sits 17th all-time with 1599 wins.

7’1”
It's times like these that I am glad that Disney no longer has anything to do with the ownership of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Because if they did...we'd be subjected to them knocking the cobwebs off Shawn Bradley, dressing him up in a baseball uniform and throwing him on the silver screen Gheorghe Muresan-style to play 7’1” pitcher Loek Van Mil. Should the big righty get called up by the Halos...he'll enter the Majors, not only as the game's tallest player ever, but also the first seven-footer baseball has ever seen.

3
And speaking of the Angels…Bobby Abreu has a chance to make some history this season. The veteran is seven stolen bases shy of 400 for his career and 16 home runs away from 300. If he reaches those milestones, he’ll become just the third player (and the first not named Bonds) to hit 300 home runs and steal 400 bases.


 

The Ichiro Exhibition Room Sounds Awesome!

Wednesday, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics square off in Tokyo to mark the opening start to the 2012 baseball season.

Now, before we debate whether or not it should be considered Opening Day, ask yourself this...would you go to a museum dedicated solely to Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki?

His parents sure hope so.

Ichiro's father, "Chichiro" ("chichi" is Japanese for "father") opened the museum adjacent to their home in Toyoyama, Japan in November 2002 and according to everything I've read online...the place has everything.

"When Ichiro was a child,'' museum manager Kazuya Kinoshita says through a translator, "his father told Ichiro's mother, 'He is going to be a great athlete. We must keep everything.' And they just kept everything.''

Part of the nearly 3000-piece collection displays the expected...the bats, balls, gloves, caps and uniforms from Ichiro's stardom with the Orix BlueWave in Japan to his history-making run with the Mariners.

And for a measly 900 yen (that's less than nine bucks to you and me), here are some of the awesomeness on display!

• A slew of Ichiro's old toys...including Bruce Lee dolls, Transformers and a model TIE fighter
• Ichiro's old bike (complete with damage from when dude was hit by a car!)
• An autographed basketball from Patrick Ewing
• Michael Jordan's shoes
• An autographed Snoop Dogg poster
• Ichiro's childhood retainer
• And much, much more!

Move over Cooperstown.

  

Ten Years Later, Ichiro is Seattle's Hit King

It’s been a decade since Ichiro Suzuki made his Major League debut…going 2-for-5 in a 5-4 win against the Oakland Athletics.

But to say a lot has happened to the Seattle Mariners and their Asian import would be an understatement.

In ten full seasons here in the States, Ichiro has averaged a .331 batting average, 224 hits, 105 runs and 38 stolen bases in 159 games per season.

Add to that the ten straight seasons with 200 or more hits, ten consecutive All-Star appearances, ten Gold Gloves, a Rookie of the Year AND an MVP Award and the following isn’t all that mind boggling.

Ichiro is now the Seattle Mariners all-time hit leader.

Yeah, it’s true…and dude accomplished the feat ten years to the day of his debut and that initial hit.

After tying Edgar Martinez’s career total of 2247 hits with an infield single in the third…Ichiro seized control of the Mariners hit record with another infield single in the ninth off of Oakland’s Brian Fuentes.

And in case you’re wondering…Ichiro is already the Mariners career leader in batting average, triples and stolen bases. He needs 426 at-bats to pass Martinez in that category.

This Just In...Ichiro Suzuki Can Hit!

And speaking of Ichiro (did you see his sizable donation to the efforts in Japan?)...did you know that dude can hit?

Last season, the Seattle Mariners All-Star set the Major League record for reaching the 200 or more hits in ten consecutive seasons.

The only other guy to have put together ten season with 200 or more hits?  Hit king Pete Rose. His accomplishment, however, was spread over 24 seasons...Ichiro has done it in ten out of ten seasons.

And if the Mariners superstar leads the Majors in hits (again), it'll be the eighth time he's accomplished that feat. That will, in turn, set another record...breaking a three-way tie with Rose and Ty Cobb.

So, with that in mind...the M's are taking full advantage of the fact that Ichiro can hit (literally) anything that gets thrown over the plate.

Enjoy!

Ichiro Donates 100 Million (Yen) to Japan

Here in the United States, we pretty much know Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki for two things...being one of the best multi-tooled ballplayers out there and delivering profanity-laced speeches prior to All-Star games.

But, as it turns out, dude is quite the humanitarian as well.

According to the website NIKKEI.com...the Toyoyama native just donated a nice chunk of change to help out with the relief efforts in Japan.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki has donated 100 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society for earthquake relief efforts in the country, his management company BowPlanning told Kyodo News on Friday.  While Suzuki declined to comment on his act, BowPlanning President Yoshiki Okada explained the major leaguer made the decision after gathering information on the situation in Japan and careful consideration.

And this isn't the first time, the big leaguer has opened up his pocketbook to help out his homeland.  Check this out.

Last month, Suzuki contributed 10 million yen for Miyazaki Prefecture, which was struck by repeated eruptions of volcano Shinmoe Peak.  He donated 10 million yen to Kobe, the home of his former Japanese club the Orix BlueWave for disaster relief following the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.  In 2000, he sent 1,500 clothes items worth about 13 million yen to Aichi Prefecture, which was hit by disruptive downpours.

Oh, and in case you're wondering just how much 100 million yen is...it comes to close to $1.23 million here in the States.

Perhaps inspired by the generosity of their star...the Mariners announced Friday morning that they'll match all of the team's front office employees and fan donations to the Red Cross. They've also stated that they'll make a guaranteed donation of $100,000 to meet the match requirements.

Nintendo of America Inc., the majority owner of the M's, is also making a contribution, as is their parent company Nintendo Co, Ltd. of Kyoto, Japan.  So far, they've shelled out the equivalent of roughly $3.7 million.

Well played, Ichiro.  Well.  Played.

The Season That Was...September (and October)

When the calendar page turned to September...baseball had already seen five no-hitters (two of them perfect games), Ken Griffey Jr. call it quits and Manny Ramirez end up in Chicago.

What could the last month of the season have in store for its fans?

Early on, Chicago White Sox infielder Omar Vizquel became the leader in games played among foreign born players. More than Hall of Famers Tony Perez (2777) and Luis Aparicio (2601). More than octogenarian Julio Franco (2527). And now...more than the previous record holder Palmeiro.

And for the curious out there, Vizquel is 17th on the all-time list.

Two Days...Three Milestones

Prior to last season, I suggested, like the bonehead that I am, that then-Houston Astro Miguel Tejada had 300 career home runs in his sites.

The guy entered 2009 with 271 and honestly, that's not that off base, right?

Now, did I think that he would send 29 over the wall? Maybe. I mean, the six time All-Star had a decent run between 2000 and 20004 where he hit 30 or more homers in four of those five years.

Of course, he was with Oakland and played alongside the Brothers Giambi. While I'm not suggesting Tejada was doing anything, ahem, shady...he did quiet down some and fall back to Earth pretty quickly.

Okay...all that aside, I made a similar prediction a year later when he re-signed with Baltimore.

Among the only milestones worth mentioning…newly re-acquired Miguel Tejada enters 2010 with 285 home runs. And with back-to-back seasons with 13 and 14 home runs…it remains to be seen if the 2002 American League MVP can get his old stroke back.

Well, last night...it happened.

With one on in the third inning Wednesday night, the, now, San Diego Padre (are you keeping up with this?) sent a Ted Lilly pitch deep to become the 22nd active player to reach 300 home runs.

Now...I lead with all that nonsense to bring you to this.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista became one of the unlikliest players to reach 50 homers in a season when he went yard Thursday afternoon in a 1-0 victory against the Seattle Mariners.

"To tell you the truth, I really haven't let it sink in yet," Bautista said following the game. "Right now, I'm just really honored and happy."

Last week, Bautista tied George Bell's former franchise high of 47 home runs with a blast on the road in Baltimore. One game later, he claimed the club record for himself in Boston.

With his dinger today, he became just the 42nd player to reach the half-century mark and with a week and a half to go...he looks to add to it.

"September of last year, you could kind of see what he was capable of doing," said teammate Vernon Wells, referring to the 10 home runs Bautista hit over the final month a year ago. "You don't expect a guy to come out and hit 50 home runs in pretty much his first full season as a starter, but obviously he has that type of potential and that type of power."

One guy that is seemingly always approaching one milestone or another is Ichiro Suzuki. And in the same game that Bautista his home run number 50...Ichiro wrote another chapter in his own history book.

For the tenth straight year, Ichiro has reached 200 hits.

The nine time All-Star entered the game against Toronto with a 198 hits. He picked up number 199 with a third-inning double and extended his own streak with a single in the fifth.

"I think you can imagine how happy I am," Ichiro told reporters after the game through a translator. "I know how tough it is to accomplish 200 hits every season, and it's been another tough one this year, so that's how happy I am inside."

To illustrate how spectacular the feat is, consider this...baseball's hit king Pete Rose is the only other guy to notch ten season with 200 or more hits.

His accomplishment, however, was spread over 24 seasons. Ichiro has done it in ten.

The season that was...September

Alright…let’s get right to it.

On September 11, Derek Jeter surpassed legend Lou Gehrig to become the Yankees all-time hits leader. With all the hype surrounding Jeter getting hit number 2722, you would think that he actually set some sort of real record.

He didn’t.

While the feat is impressive, the fact that it took him close to 1500 more plate appearances doesn’t make it AS impressive. Wake me up when he becomes the first Yankee to get 3000 hits…sometime in June of 2011.

And since we’re talking Yankees hits milestones (we were, right?)…let’s add another to the list.

Admitted steroid user (and yes, I will call him that until the media’s current man crush subsides) Alex Rodriguez finished the season tied for eighth all-time in home runs with 583.

Tied with who you ask? Mark McGwire.

No comment.

On September 2…Rodriguez collected career hit number 2500. But perhaps the most impressive “A-Rod” achievement this season was his ending the season with 100 RBI…for the 12th straight year!

Less than a week after Rodriguez got hit number 2500, Ichiro Suzuki sent the second pitch of the Mariners September 6 contest down the right field line for his 2000th hit in the Majors. With that case knock, he became the second-fastest player to reach the milestone.

Only Hall of Famer Al Simmons did it quicker.

A week later, Ichiro tallied his 200th hit of the season for the ninth consecutive year…setting an all-time Major League record. All-time hit king Pete Rose holds the non-consecutive record with ten.

On June 27, 2007, Phillies slugger Ryan Howard became the fastest player to hit 100 home runs when he bested Ralph Kiner by 60 games.

Earlier this season (on July 16), Howard again surpassed Kiner when he became the quickest to 200 home runs.

On September 18, the first baseman again joined some pretty exclusive company. With a sixth inning bomb off Atlanta's Tim Hudson, Howard joined Babe Ruth, Sammy Sosa and Ken Griffey, Jr. as the only four Major Leaguers with at least four consecutive 40 home run, 120 RBI seasons.

Almost as impressive as Howard’s consistency in sending balls deep into the Philadelphia night…is Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds’ consistent futility.

In 2008, Reynolds became the first Major Leaguer to strike out more than 200 times…he finished with 204. This season, he was sent back to the bench a new record 223 times!

If it means anything to anyone, I’d like to point out that only two National League pitchers (Tim Lincecum and Javier Vazquez) struck out more batters than Reynolds struck out.

Lastly…it is worth mentioning that Brian Roberts (yes, THAT Brian Roberts) secured his status as a doubles hitting machine.

With his league leading 56 doubles, Roberts not only became the fourth Major Leaguer ever to achieve three seasons with more than 50 or more doubles (Hall of Famers Tris Speaker, Paul Waner and Stan Musial are the others)…but he secured the top spot on the “most doubles hit by a switch hitter” list.

And to think, back in March when I

previewed the Baltimore Orioles…I suggested “Monument City” had nothing to celebrate.

I stand corrected.

The season that was...April

Entering this season, The Hall laid out Ten Milestones to Watch For. Simply stated, some were reached…some weren’t.

Among those that made headlines, a few were monumental (Randy Johnson 300th victory)…others were obscure personal achievements (Omar Vizquel beoming the all-time hits leader among Venezuelan born players). And unless you spent the last few years living like Ted Williams' frozen, battered head...you knew that the Yankees opened up a new homer friendly ballpark.

All in all…a good season.

Let’s dive in, appropriately enough, with April.

Of all the home runs achievements that occurred during 2009, none were more improbable than White Sox teammates Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye both reaching the 300 home run plateau against the Tigers on April 13.

In the same game.

Back-to-back.

It was fitting that the pair reached the historic milestone in Detroit given Dye has hit the most home runs (16) by a visiting player at Comerica Park. Konerko is tied for fourth with former Sox teammate Jim Thome at 13.

Two night later, Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki slapped a single against the Angels and surpassed Isao Harimoto and became the all-time leader among Japanese baseball players.

And with that hit, questions were raised…is Ichiro the all-time Japanese hit leader or the all-time hit leader among Japanese born MLB?

Suffice it to say…the guy knows how to swing a bat.

And remember right before the season where it looked like Gary Sheffield’s career looked to be done?

Well, he all but guaranteed his Hall of Fame candidacy (in my mind) when the Mets picked him up off the scrap heap, signed him and, on April 17, he became the 25th member of the 500 home run club.

His first hit in the Majors was a home run for the Milwaukee Brewers, so it was fitting that number 500 was against them. Unpredictably, Sheffield achieved the milestone as a pinch hitter…the first ever to do so.

With April in the books, everyone’s eyes turned to May. Baseball's favorite octogenarian Jamie Moyer was on the cusp of 250 career victories and a revitalized Jason Giambi was looking to nail down home run number 400.

Yes...THAT Brian Roberts

Lost in the Derek Jeter "is" (check out what Hal Bodley had to say) or "isn't" (read the rebuttal to Bodley's piece by Michael Schur) American League Most Valuable Player debates that have hit the interwebs since he surpassed Lou Gehrig's Yankee hit record were two other significant hitting milestones.

First...Ichiro Suzuki added to his Hall of Fame credentials by putting together his record setting ninth straight season with 200 or more hits Sunday night. Fittingly, it was an infield single (a slow roller to Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus) that broke the Ichiro free of Willie Keeler's 108 year-old record of eight straight.

"We witnessed something that has never been done in the history of baseball," marveled four-time All-Star Mike Sweeney following the game. "That was a special night for all of us, and especially Ichiro. I'm elated for him. We're all elated for him."

And just how good is nine straight seasons with 200 or more hits? Consider this...hit kings Ty Cobb and Pete Rose never did it in more than three consecutive seasons. Both played 24 seasons in the bigs and for their careers, Cobb had nine season where he hit the benchmark...Rose had ten.

Ichiro is nine for nine.

Also lost in the shuffle was Brian Roberts of the Orioles and I know what you're thinking...yes, THAT Brian Roberts.

You see last week against the Red Sox, Roberts launched a double to deep left off of starter Paul Byrd. And no, the fact that he leap frogged Hall of Famer Earle Combs on the all-time doubles list in the process has nothing to do with the achievement.

You see, with that hit (double number 50 for Roberts this season), the second baseman became only the fourth player in Major League history to have three seasons with more than 50 doubles.

Now, I'm not going to sit here and say that Roberts is the same caliber as the other three on the list (Hall of Famers Tris Speaker, Paul Waner and Stan Musial), but I'll tell you this...regardless who you root for, being on that short list is pretty impressive.

"I'm guessing that will be the only thing in my career that I'll ever be in that sort of company for," Roberts said following the game. "I respect the game and I like the history of the game, and to be in that company is something I'll be proud of when I'm done."

Speaker hit 50 doubles in a season five times during his career, while Waner and Musial did it three times each.

Also, with 51 doubles last season, Roberts recorded his second straight 50 double season. The other two that did it...Hall of Famer Billy Herman and his future plaquemate Craig Biggio.

So there you have it, gang, a Thursday morning post that features five Hall of Famers, three future Hall of Famers, Pete Rose and Brian Roberts.

Yes...THAT Brian Roberts.

The hits keep coming for Ichiro

Last August, after Ichiro Suzuki got his 1722nd career hit (number 3000 for his PRO career), I asked the question...is Ichiro a Hall of Famer.

Now that he's reached the 2000 hit milestone here in the states (he did so in a loss against the A's Sunday night)...I'm asking again. Is this guy a lock for Cooperstown?

Sure, such Hall of Fame also-rans as Brian Downing (2 votes in 1998), Tim Wallach (1 vote in 2002) and Wally Joyner (0 votes in 2007) have more hits, but consider this...Ichiro reached 2000 hits in fewer games than all but one (Al Simmons was the other) of the 258 other cats that have gotten to the milestone.

And of the 259 players with 2000 or more hits...no one but Ichiro has done it in less than ten seasons!

I know, I know...I've gotta bring more to the table than 2000 hits, right? I mean, last season both Mark Grudzielanek and Ray Durham got theirs and I wasn't compelled to write about them.

Well, outside of his most recent milestone, Ichiro's accomplishments over his career are incredible. Let's break down the Mariners outfielder's nine year tally so far.

In terms of streaks, he is five base hits away from notching 200 or more in each of his nine seasons. By doing do...he'll top Wee Willie Keeler’s record of eight straight seasons with 200 or more hits in a season.

And assuming he doesn't flop (and he'd have to go hitless in his next 113 at bats to dip to .299), he is poised to top .300 for the ninth straight season as well.

With only four errors this season, it's likely Ichiro will bring home his ninth straight Gold Glove. His 24 career miscues in nine years is pretty spectacular given Orlando Cabrera (and yes, I know he is a shortstop, whereas Ichiro is an outfielder) has 21 this season alone.

And if you want to continue talking awards, Ichiro has been selected to the All-Star Game in each of his nine seasons. In 2001, he took home both the American Rookie of the Year Award AND MVP...the first time the double dip had been accomplished since Fred Lynn did it in 1975.

Four years into his career, in 2004, he broke George Sisler’s 84 year old record of 257 in a season when he ended up with 262.

This year, at 35 years old, you would think that Ichiro might be slowing down, right? Well, nothing could be further from the truth.

With a .362 batting average, he is the fourth oldest player (Tony Gwynn, Barry Bonds and Chipper Jones are the other three) since 1931 to have a batting average higher than .360.

In his first game of the season, with an uncharacteristic grand slam, he tied Isao Harimoto as the all-time hits leader among Japanese born players. The next night he secured the title all for himself.

In June, Ichiro set a Mariners team record and personal best by hitting in 27 straight games.

The knock on Ichiro (if there is one) is that he is a singles hitter…and nothing more. He's led the league in singles each of his eight years in the majors and is on pace to do so for a ninth straight season.

For his career, 81% of his hits have been singles and 452 of them never left the infield. By comparison, 79% or Rod Carew's hits were singles...Pete Rose and Tony Gwynn hit singles 76% of the time.

Factor in Ichiro's .331 batting average and 30 home runs as a lead off man and you could say that he and Rickey Henderson are two of the game's greatest to start a ballgame.

So where does that leave us?

Ichiro is primed to be the guy who opens the Hall doors to our neighbors from across the Pacific. He was the first Japanese player to become an every day player at the Major League level…the previous imports were all pitchers.

And if he manages to stay on his blistering pace for five more seasons, Ichiro will top 3000 hits for his Major League career. Should he fall short and end up with 2978 here in the states...he'll be tied with Rose at 4256 overall.

Should that happen, I guess we'll need to start wondering aloud if who the "hit king" really is.

Ichiro...the new hit king?

Like he has so many times before, Ichiro Suzuki slapped a single through the right side of the infield. Pretty routine if you think about it…but the historical significance was huge.

With that hit, Ichiro surpassed Isao Harimoto and became the all-time leader among Japanese baseball players.

But here’s the big question, how do we look at Ichiro’s 3086 (1808 in the states…1278 in Japan) hits?

When we talk about “great hitters”, do we place him between Craig Biggio (3060) and Dave Winfield (3110) or look solely at his MLB numbers?

As a for instance, I’ve NEVER heard anyone add Hank Aaron or Willie Mays’ Negro League totals to their MLB totals. Have you?

So, what is Ichiro to you? Is he the all-time Japanese hit leader with 3086 base knocks or the all-time hit leader among Japanese born MLB players with 1808 hits?

Maybe he’s both.

Any way you slice it (and I said this last August), I’m sure he’s opening Cooperstown’s doors to some of the other Japanese greats.

Junior and Ichiro...beyond the numbers

A day after the Majors celebrated his legacy, it is important to point out that if you walk around any ballpark in the Majors, you’ll see Jackie Robinson’s 42 retired.

It’s true.

Since they retired it on April 15, 1997, no team has issued the number and outside of yesterday when EVERYONE wore it…only Mariano Rivera wears it on his back and that's because he's had it since before no one could.

Up in the Pacific Northwest...Robinson’s 42 is the ONLY number retired.

Sure, Ken Griffey Jr’s 24 and Ichiro’s 51 (also shared by Randy Johnson) will eventually make their way up to the rafters of Safeco Field.

And even though they have resisted handing out a few others...the Mariners have not yet retired any other number.

It is fitting that the Seattle faithful had something to cheer about on the anniversary of retiring Robinson's number.

Let me lay it out for ya.

In 2000, while with the Reds, Griffey became the youngest player to hit 400 home runs. Last night, back with the Mariners, Griffey hit number 400 for the Mariners. Sure, the next guy on the Mariners leader board is Jay Buhner with 309, so it is a no-brainer that Griffey’s 400 leads the pack.

And of the 43 players with more than 400 home runs for their career…more than half (23) have 400 or more with one team.

So…why was Griffey’s blast off of Angels hurler Jared Weaver yesterday worth noting?

Well, and I realize that I missed this when I did the AL West Milestone Preview a few weeks back, Griffey is now the ONLY player in Major League history with 400 home runs with one team and 200 or more with another.

"It means a lot. It's just, I don't worry about numbers," Griffey told the Associated Press. "You play long enough, you are going to rack up some numbers…some are good, some are bad.”

Also last night, Griffey and teammates welcomed Ichiro back to the lineup. And, not to be left out…he, too, hit a monumental home run.

With a seventh inning grand slam off Jason Bulger, Ichiro tied Isao Harimoto as Japan’s all-time hits leader.

Elected into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990, Harimoto amassed all of his 3085 hits playing in Japan. Ichiro, obviously, has split his.

The first 1278 came with the Japan’s Orix Blue Wave from 1992 to 2000. The rest (all 1807 of them) have come with Seattle.

Harimoto told MLB.com that Ichiro's hit total should be considered a record even though some of them didn't come in Japan.

And I couldn’t agree more.

Last August, I wrote THIS and now, eight months later…I couldn’t agree more.

Seattle Mariners official team policy states that number retirement is reserved for players in the National Baseball Hall of Fame who played for at least five years with the Mariners, or career Mariners players who narrowly miss election.

Something tells me that regardless of how Griffey and Ichiro end up (and I presume they will BOTH be Hall of Famers)…the Seattle brass will hang their numbers alongside that of Jackie Robinson.

"I'm intercontinental when I eat French Toast"

So here we are. We’re deep into the second half of the baseball season, in the midst of the 2008 Olympics and I’ve got next to nothing write about.

Or do I?!?

I mean, I don’t care about what Michael Phelps is going to do (or not do) in Beijing, I can’t name any of our gymnasts and unless Bird, Magic and Michael come back to take on the world…the “Redeem Team” isn’t really getting me excited.

However, all the hype about Summer Games has me thinking “international” and waxing nostalgic about conversations I’ve had, things I’ve seen and most importantly…other blogs I’ve read.

A number of weeks back…my man Nick Underhill wrote on HIS SITE that Ichiro Suzuki wasn't worth the all hype.

I disagreed with him as I’ve had this conversation a number of times. Yes, what you’re thinking is correct and I’m exactly how you picture me…I’m one of those dorks who, when out with the “gang”, is talking baseball past rather than that particular night’s highlights.

I love the numbers…I love the stats. But unfortunately, Nick may have been right to an extent.

And I hate it.

The other night when Ichiro got career base knock number 1722 (he’s now at 1743)…very few media outlets made a big deal out of it. And why would they? At 1722…he was right between Cy Seymour and Cupid Childs on the all-time list.

Who?

Exactly.

Then why all the fuss? Why the Hall of Fame talk for a guy who TECHNICALLY isn’t even eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame?

Well, beside the fact that his numbers are sick (and yes, we’ll get to those later)...hit 1722 was number 3000 for his career. That’s right…add his career numbers with the Orix Blue Wave and the Seattle Mariners and you’ve got a guy who was SECOND fastest to three grand.

Ty Cobb did it in 2135…Ichiro got his in 2175. By comparison, it took Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Wade Boggs close to 300 more games to get their 3000.

Ichiro’s career already reads like that of a Hall of Famer and he’s two years shy of being eligible.

In 2001 (Ichiro’s first year in the majors), he became the first player in more than fifty years to lead the league in both batting average and stolen bases. His 242 hits is a rookie record and helped pace him to become only the second rookie to win both the MVP award and Rookie of the Year honors.

In 2004, he broke George Sisler’s 84 year old record of 257 in a season. Ichiro ended up with 262.

Ichiro set the American League record of 45 straight stolen bases without being caught in 2007. For his career, Ichiro is sitting at 307 stolen bases…506 if you count his games with Orix.

Ichiro has won the Gold Glove award in each of his seven years in the majors. He has also been selected to play in all eight All-Star games he’s been eligible for…starting all but one.

If Ichiro gets 200 hits this year, he’ll tie Wee Willie Keeler’s record of eight straight seasons with 200 or more hits in a season. When he accomplishes this…he’ll be the only player to ever do it in his first eight seasons. In his first seven seasons, he's led the league four times and finished second the other three. In two of those second place finishes, he was a combined four hits behind the league leader.

And speaking of streaks, he is also poised to have scored 100 runs for the eighth straight season.

The knock on Ichiro (if there is one) is that he is a singles hitter…and nothing more. He's led the league in singles each of his seven years in the majors and 81% of his hits have been just that...singles. By comparison, 79% or Rod Carew's hits were singles...Pete Rose and Tony Gwynn hit singles 76% of the time.

So what’s the problem with hitting singles? Unlike the other three, it’s been said that Ichiro COULD be a power hitter if he chose to.

After that, a lot of people point at his 117 OPS+ as being unsatisfactory even though it bests Hall of Famers Robin Yount (115), Cal Ripken (112) and Ryne Sandberg (114). Rose, arguably of one of the best hitters of all-time, has a career OPS+ of 118. Future Hall members Roberto Alomar and Craig Biggio are at 116 and 111 respectively.

See what I am getting at?

But let’s say that Ichiro hangs it up after this season…he wouldn’t have the mandatory ten years at the Major League level. Should that be reason enough to keep him out?

I don’t think so.

Ichiro is primed to be the guy who opens the Hall doors to our neighbors from across the Pacific. He was the first Japanese player to become an every day player at the Major League level…the previous imports were all pitchers.

Combined, Ichiro carries a career .340 batting average. He is currently at .331 in the Majors (two league batting titles and two other top four finishes), and had a career .353 average overseas.

Similar to the recent Negro League players that have made their way to Cooperstown, it is time for the museum to recognize more players that never had the chance of playing in the Majors. This thing is, after all, the NATIONAL Baseball Hall of Fame…not the MAJOR LEAGUE Baseball Hall of Fame.

And while I realize that the word “national” would, by definition, NOT include international players, can’t we all agree that regardless of whether or not he hits any of the mythic Major League milestones…Ichiro belongs?