Ichiro Suzuki: Sensational Hitting

Ichiro Suzuki: Sensational Hitting

Ichiro Suzuki: Sensational Hitting

Ichiro Suzuki has proven to be a sensational hitter throughout the course of his entire professional baseball career, going back to his days in Japan playing in Nippon Professional Baseball as a member of the Orix Bluewave from 1992 to 2000. When the opportunity to play in the United States presented itself, Ichiro took advantage of the opportunity. Though there was skepticism as to how he would hold up in Major League Baseball before his arrival, the phenomenal play of Ichiro silenced the critics.

Officially debuting with the Seattle Mariners on April 2, 2001, Ichiro played in 157 regular season games and batted .350 with 69 RBI’s, 242 hits, 34 doubles, 8 triples and 56 stolen bases. In the playoffs Ichiro had a combined 16 hits and he batted .600 against the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. Ichiro had one of the best rookie seasons in MLB history as he not only won the American League Rookie of the Year Award, but also the AL Most Valuable Player Award, a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger for his position of right field. Ichiro was also voted to play in his first All-Star Game. Ichiro was indeed a key piece in the success of the Mariners, who went on to win a record 116 regular season games.

In 2002 Ichiro played in 157 games and batted .321 with 208 hits, 27 doubles, 8 triples and 31 stolen bases. Icihro made the All-Star Game again while winning another Gold Glove. In 2003 he played in 159 games and batted .312 with 13 home runs and 62 RBI’s off 212 hits, 29 doubles, 8 triples and 34 stolen bases. Ichiro made another All-Star Game appearance and won another Gold Glove.

In 2004 Ichiro played in 161 games and batted .372 with 60 RBI’s, 24 doubles, 5 triples and 36 stolen bases. Ichiro finished in 7th place in AL MVP voting while winning another Gold Glove and making another All-Star Game appearance. His 262 hits in 2004 broke the 84 year-old record that was held by George Sisler of the St. Louis Cardinals, who had 257 hits in 1920. In 2005 he played in all 162 regular season games and batted .303 with 15 home runs and 68 RBI’s off 206 hits, 21 doubles, 21 doubles, 12 triples and 33 stolen bases, making another All-Star Game and winning another Gold Glove. In 2006 he played in 161 games and batted .322 with 214 hits, 20 doubles, 9 triples and 45 stolen bases, winning another Gold Glove and making another All-Star Game appearance.

In 2007 Ichiro played in 161 games and batted .351 with 68 RBI’s, 238 hits, 22 doubles, 7 triples and 37 stolen bases. He finished in 8th place in AL MVP voting, winning another Gold Glove and winning another Silver Slugger. Playing in all 162 games in 2008 Ichiro batted .310 with 213 hits, 20 doubles, 7 triples and 43 stolen bases, making another All-Star Game and winning another Gold Glove. Playing in 146 games in 2009 Ichiro batted .352 with 11 home run, 225 hits, 31 doubles and 26 stolen bases, finishing in 9th place in AL MVP voting, making another All-Star Game and winning another Gold Glove and Silver Slugger.

Playing in all 162 games in 2010 Ichiro batted .315 with 214 hits, 30 doubles and 42 stolen bases, making another All-Star Game and winning another Gold Glove. Playing in 161 games in 2011 Ichiro batted .272 with 184 hits, 22 doubles and 40 stolen bases. In 2012 Ichiro played in all 162 games and batted .283 with 178 hits, 28 doubles, 6 triples and 29 stolen bases. Ichiro split his time between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees as he was traded from Seattle to New York on July 23.

Ichiro played his first complete season as a Yankee in 2013 and played in 150 games. He had 136 hits, 15 doubles and 20 stolen bases. In 2014 Ichiro played in 143 games and batted .284 with 102 hits, 13 doubles and 15 stolen bases. On January 23, 2015 Ichiro signed a 2-year contract with the Miami Marlins as a free agent. Playing in 153 games in 2014 Ichiro had 91 hits, 6 triples and 11 stolen bases. In 2016 Ichiro played in 143 games and batted .291 with 95 hits, 15 doubles, 5 triples and 10 stolen bases. On August 7 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field Ichiro recorded his 3,000th career hit in MLB, a triple that bounced off the right field wall.

The longevity of Ichiro Suzuki is something to be admired by baseball fans everywhere. In just 16 seasons Ichiro is only the 2nd player in MLB history to play in 2,500 games along with Pete Rose. 7 of Ichiro’s seasons are ranked in the top 40 for leading MLB with the most singles in a single season. Ichiro had 225 singles in 2004, ranking 1st, 203 singles in 2007, ranking 3rd, and 192 singles in 2001, ranking 6th. Ichiro’s 186 singles in 2006 ranks in a tie for 10th. His 180 singles in 2008 rank in a tie for 24th. His 179 singles in 2009 rank in a tie for 28th while his 175 singles in 2010 rank in a tie for 38th.

Ichiro has set an MLB record with 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons, and also to hit .300+ in 10 straight seasons. Combining his hits in both Japan and the United States Ichiro Suzuki has 4,300 career hits, which is more than Pete Rose’s 4,356 career hits in MLB. In some aspects baseball fans consider Ichiro to be the All-Time Hit King, though this title isn’t official. Above all else Ichiro is a great ambassador for the game of baseball as he has attended multiple youth baseball events in Japan, promoting the game that developed a passion for when he was young.