Ichiro Suzuki

[ashie62]

With a handful of games to go Ichiro is 22 hits short of 200 for the first time in his career, yes I know he played in Japan. He has ten consecutive seasons of 200 or more hits.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suzukic01.shtml

Lotsa Stolen Bases, hits and a terrific career batting average. His WAR seems somewhat pedetrian.

Will Ichiro go to the Hall? I'm guesing he goes in first ballot.....

[Guest Edgy DC]

I'd certainly vote for him. Not a very valuable player right now, however.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I don't think he's going anywhere, though. I think he's chasing 3,000 MLB hits, to go with his 1,278 in Japan. I think he'll pass Rose's total between the two.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

I think he goes in -- easily.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

slam dunk.

[Frayed Knot]

I've long thought that the mania and novelty surrounding him upon his arrival gave a wee scent of 'over-rated' to his career*, but he was still a terrific player who will, and should be, a quick 'Yes' vote for the HoF even if he retired now. Sticking around for 3K hits here after spending nine years on the other side of the Pacific first isn't necessary for him to get in but it would be a helluva feat on top of things.


* Just minor stuff really: shouldn't have been MVP that 1st year for instance ... lots of hits but mostly singles ... nice BAs but few walks on top of them ... good defense but some of the praise was over-the-top IMO

[smg58]

For all the hype, people were shocked when the Mariners bid $13M just for negotiating rights. They wound up paying $32M total (including the bid) for Ichiro's first four seasons. That same offseason, the Mets signed Kevin Appier for four years and $42M.

[ashie62]

Wow, a bargain lol... it seems like yesterday he got here and at 37 he is winding down. Like the season.

[MFS62]

I really wasn't concentrating on the 200 hit years, but have been rooting for him all year to get his avg over .300. Looks like he won't make it.
He'd get my vote for the Hall of Fame.

Later