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I would take Ichiro over Thome for the top of the order. The only way I take Thome is if I have others just as good as getting on base and he is an upgrade over my middle of the lineup guys. Ichiro is also a good fielder. Thome is not.
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Well, for starters, we aren't talking about defense but hitting.
as far as who would be a better lead off man?
ichiro career OBP : .357
Thome career OBP : .402
Thome is so much better a hitter than Ichiro it's not even close, his wRC+ of 145 and wOBA of .405 is elite level, Ichiro is just a tad above avg for two reasons, he wasn't as good at getting on base nor was he as good hitting for power.
Another thing to consider about the 3000 hit club is that it doesn't consider walks either.
Thome hits + walks = 4076 , Isolated Power? .278
Ichiro hits + walks = 3620, ISO? .091
Ichiro was 5% above league avg for his career and this demonstrates how 3000 hits doesn't make one an elite hitter, he wasn't an elite hitter for his career, just slightly above avg because power is important. NOW, that being said, he was a quality player because of his total game of slightly above avg hitting, elite defense and elite baserunning, but his bat alone was not elite.