OT: 4000 Hits for Suzuki

[barrysloate]

Although this belongs in the watercooler section, 4000 hits is an enormous accomplishment. Single off R.A. Dickey in the first inning. Congrats!

[cdn_collector]

Just watched it on TV. Pretty impressive accomplishment, indeed.

Am far from a Yankees fan, but it's tough not to cheer for Ichiro. I knew nothing of him before he came to Seattle from Japan, but what he's done numbers wise since joining the Majors is incredible.

Regards,

Richard.

[buymycards]

Hi Barry,
I agree with you. It is so much fun watching Ichiro hit the ball. I saw the Yankees when they came to Milwaukee a few years ago and I'm waiting patiently for them to come back.

A lonesome Yankees fan in Wisconsin.

Rick

[MVSNYC]

I saw the hit, very cool...nice of his teammates to surround him at first base.

[RCMcKenzie]

I did not realize that Suzuki was this high on the list. I looked up the top 6(edit to include top 7) all time including Minor League hit totals...


1)Rose 4683
2)Cobb 4355
3)Aaron 4095
4)Statz 4093
5)Musial 4001
6)Suzuki 4000
7)Speaker 3965

Andrew J reminded me about Statz, thanks. I did not realize Statz had that many MLB hits.

[HRBAKER]

Quite the accomplishment!

[batsballsbases]

Congrats to Ichiro saw the hit ,a class act all the way.

[AndrewJerome]

As a life long M's fan, great to see Ichiro get to 4,000.

Adding up MLB and minor league hits, don't forget about Jigger Statz: 737 MLB + 3,356 = 4,093 total.

Andrew

[quinnsryche]

Does it the right way. Never in trouble, not 1 negative story I have ever heard about him. One of the best ever even if he never played in Japan.
Congrats Ichiro!

[RCMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by AndrewJerome

As a life long M's fan, great to see Ichiro get to 4,000.

Adding up MLB and minor league hits, don't forget about Jigger Statz: 737 MLB + 3,356 = 4,093 total.

Andrew

Andrew, thanks, I will update the list. If y'all know of others that should be up there let me know.

[MVSNYC]

I wouldn't be comparing his Japan hits to minor league hits. i know Japan isn't MLB, but i think those hits have more weight than the minors.

[RCMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

I wouldn't be comparing his Japan hits to minor league hits. i know Japan isn't MLB, but i think those hits have more weight than the minors.

I'm just having some fun with the list. As Parcells would say, "you are what your record says you are"

I feel much better about comparing Ichiro to Jigger Statz than I do mentioning him with Tris Speaker and Stan Musial.

[timber63401]

I just wish he started in the Majors at about 21.

[egbeachley]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

I wouldn't be comparing his Japan hits to minor league hits. i know Japan isn't MLB, but i think those hits have more weight than the minors.

ESPN had an article about just this comparison. Taking into consideration that Japanese ball is like AAA+ but also that they play a 130 game season, park size, etc., if Ichiro had played 100% in MLB he would be within 40 hits of where he is now.

[oldjudge]

Congratulations to Ichiro. He is the best right fielder I have ever seen.

[RCMcKenzie]

I think Ichiro is an amazing player and a deserving HOFer. The player he reminds me of is Rod Carew, who was one of my favorite players that I saw play, along with Brett and Rose.

Hank Aaron played right field and I saw him on TV towards the end of his career so I'd have to say he's the best RF I've seen play.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Congratulations to Ichiro. He is he best right fielder I have ever seen.

He should be a 1st ballot Hall-of -Famer IMO.

[ctownboy]

Seeing as this is a board dedicated to pre - war cards, when I watch Ichiro play (and root for him) I imagine what Major League baseball was like before 1920.

David

[Iron Horse]

A class act & future hall of famer

[the 'stache]

I'd love to see him get 3,000 hits. He could do it. He's 278 shy.

[Jay Wolt]

In this age of PED's and w/ all the other problems w/ baseball, its good to see some players who "get it" and who have appreciation of the game. He's a joy to watch.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

I did not realize that Suzuki was this high on the list. I looked up the top 6(edit to include top 7) all time including Minor League hit totals...


1)Rose 4683
2)Cobb 4355
3)Aaron 4095
4)Statz 4093
5)Musial 4001
6)Suzuki 4000
7)Speaker 3965

Barring injury, he'll slide into #3 all time with no problems. He turns 40 in October, but even two more mediocre seasons gets him past Cobb....will be fun to watch for sure.

[ethicsprof]

you have said quite well what I, too, believe.
a monumental achievement by Suzuki at many levels.
all the best,
barry

[btkpath]

A class act all the way with a work ethic that could not be beat. I was at the game on October 1, 2004 when he broke Sisler's single season hit record. It still gives me goosebumps thinking about the significance of that record......such a tough record to break.

Congrats Ichiro

[the 'stache]

The funny thing about Ichiro is he probably has as much natural power as the guys hitting 30-40 home runs a season now. His batting practice exploits are near legend. He hits one pitch after another into the seats without breaking a sweat.

[conor912]

Anyone know if they keep track of how many of those hits are legged out infield hits? I bet the number is staggering.

[ctownboy]

From what I have heard, Ichiro has at least 600 infield hits in his career.

David

Edited to add, I think he leads the AL in infield hits this year.

[RCMcKenzie]

...

[itjclarke]

Congrats to Ichiro, he's the man!

I've loved Ichiro from the day he signed and many many guys, like Griffey were doubting he'd be an MLB hitter... I think Junior said something like- "he can't hit, cuz he ain't got no booty". From day one of his MLB career, he silenced his doubters, and in doing so brought back a style of slap hitting/speed that seemed to by dying in MLB at the time. I also dig the guy's style... his weird front handed bat raise before the pitch, little outfield stretches, and the great running start swing.

I think his importance to the game will only grow in retirement, because culturally/racially was a grounbreaking player. Before Ichiro, there were no notable Asian born/raised position players in MLB, post Ichiro the list grows every year.. and so hopefully will his legend.

[Rickyy]

As we say back home in Japan... Omedetou Ichiro!

Ricky Y

[ullmandds]

Ichiro is awesome...I've always loved watching him play...and was thrilled when my Yankees picked him up.

Interesting...and refreshing that no one really has anything bad to say about him!

[CaramelMan]

Julio Franco has over 4000 hits I believe

[Jay Wolt]

Originally Posted by CaramelMan

Julio Franco has over 4000 hits I believe

Julio had 836 hits in the minors & 2586 in the bigs which is 3422
Not sure if he played in Japan or any other league

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

Julio had 836 hits in the minors & 2586 in the bigs which is 3422
Not sure if he played in Japan or any other league

If you look up Jigger Statz on Wikipedia, it mentions that Franco had over 4,000 career hits, but I think this includes hits in Mexico, Japan, and even South Korea.

Also, Ichiro has a CANNON of an arm (still). I wonder how many doubles he's "stolen" from players over the years.

[conor912]

He had 1278 hits in Japan, which puts him at 5,278 lifetime. Combine whatever leagues you want (minors, majors, Japan, Mexico, etc) and no other player in the history of the game comes close to that.

[Kawika]

Originally Posted by conor912

He had 1278 hits in Japan, which puts him at 5,278 lifetime. Combine whatever leagues you want (minors, majors, Japan, Mexico, etc) and no other player in the history of the game comes close to that.

?

[t206hound]

Originally Posted by conor912

He had 1278 hits in Japan, which puts him at 5,278 lifetime. Combine whatever leagues you want (minors, majors, Japan, Mexico, etc) and no other player in the history of the game comes close to that.

You might want to check your stats on Ichiro. He doesn't have 4k MLB hits.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by t206hound

You might want to check your stats on Ichiro. He doesn't have 4k MLB hits.

ah, my mistake. then he sucks

[bbcp]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

I did not realize that Suzuki was this high on the list. I looked up the top 6(edit to include top 7) all time including Minor League hit totals...


1)Rose 4683
2)Cobb 4355
3)Aaron 4095
4)Statz 4093
5)Musial 4001
6)Suzuki 4000
7)Speaker 3965

Andrew J reminded me about Statz, thanks. I did not realize Statz had that many MLB hits.

For Ichiro, you probably should include his minor league stats when in Japan. He played for the Orix Western League farm team in 1992 and1993, but I cannot locate a source showing his hit totals for these years. If counting "professional" hits, he also had 67 hits fot the 1993 Hilo Stars in the Hawaiian Winter Baseball League.

[David W]

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

Julio had 836 hits in the minors & 2586 in the bigs which is 3422
Not sure if he played in Japan or any other league

Julio played 1995, 1998 in Japan.

He played 1999 in Mexico

He played 2000 in Korea.

I could not find stats for those years.

So I think it is safe to assume he does have 4000 professional hits or more.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/mi...d=franco001jul

[David W]

Pete Rose finished with 4,256 in his major league career, while Ty Cobb ended up with 4,189. Taking international play into consideration, Julio Franco amassed 4,229 hits in his 26-year professional career, spread between Major League Baseball (2,586 hits), Minor League Baseball (618), the Mexican League (316), Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (286), the Dominican Winter League (267), and the Korean Baseball Organization (156). As far as I know, nobody else has reached 4,000 professional hits, no matter what league(s) they played in.

From this web site...

http://superichirocrazy.wordpress.co...roaching-4000/

[MVSNYC]

The addition of minor league hits to me is not applicable. Rose & Cobb's minor league hits aren't taken into account in that article like it is for Franco, so substract Franco's minor league totals.

Either way, what Ichiro has done, especially over the last 13 years in MLB is incredible. period. 1st ballet HOFer.

[barrysloate]

From 2001 to 2010, his first decade in the major leagues, Ichiro had 2244 hits, or an average of 224 a season. That is an extraordinary number!

[Jason]

I agree in Franco's case his minor league stats have to be disregarded.Im no where near a Yankees fan but what an accomplishment.I just wonder what hat he will wear on induction day.

[baseballart]

Originally Posted by David W

Pete Rose finished with 4,256 in his major league career, while Ty Cobb ended up with 4,189. Taking international play into consideration, Julio Franco amassed 4,229 hits in his 26-year professional career, spread between Major League Baseball (2,586 hits), Minor League Baseball (618), the Mexican League (316), Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (286), the Dominican Winter League (267), and the Korean Baseball Organization (156). As far as I know, nobody else has reached 4,000 professional hits, no matter what league(s) they played in.

From this web site...

http://superichirocrazy.wordpress.co...roaching-4000/

Jigger Statz, 737 in the majors and 3356 in the PCL for a total of 4,093

http://www.baseball-reference.com/mi...d=statz-001arn

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by bbcp

... he also had 67 hits fot the 1993 Hilo Stars in the Hawaiian Winter Baseball League.

Winter League.. Now that's really opening a can of worms because I think it was pretty normal for guys from the Mays/Aaron era to play winter ball regularly. And, if you add winter, I say throw in postseason/AS game (those old AS double headers would add up quick), and spring training.

As an aside, I wonder how many pro (all leagues, all countries) wins Spahn has.. Or how many games Feller won including barnstorming tours, and any pitching he may have done in the Navy

I'd play around on google myself, but am working strictly from the phone today.

[Exhibitman]

To steal from Bill James Ichiro is 100% ball player 0% bullshit. Banzai Suzuki-San!

[conor912]

Originally Posted by itjclarke

Winter League.. Now that's really opening a can of worms.

I hear he had about 600 more in little league.

[baseballart]

Originally Posted by baseballart

Jigger Statz, 737 in the majors and 3356 in the PCL for a total of 4,093

http://www.baseball-reference.com/mi...d=statz-001arn

Minnie Minoso also makes the grade

http://sabr.org/latest/simkus-ichiro...fessional-hits

[Harliduck]

I was very fortunate to have had season tickets to the Mariners for 7 years, all when Ichiro was patrolling RF. He is beyond a class act in my book. My 4 kids literally grew up watching him. Our seats were on the dirt, directly at him. Twice he sat in my lap catching a ball, and both times he took the time to thank me for getting out of his way.

Also, one of my daughters (who now plays for Team USA Fastpitch) was 100% in love with him, lol. Before every game she used to yell to him good luck, and he would wave back to her. One game we went without her, he actually got my other daughters attention as he strolled out, and said "Good luck?" with a heavy accent. She yelled GOOD LUCK! and he motioned the international "phew" as if he was counting on it. He then swung by and hi-fived my daughter after the inning...it was awesome. Two nights later the same daughter went for a "fair" grounder (balls like this happened all the time in our seats). I yanked her back at the last second and Ichiro came swooshing in and held him to a Single. As he backpeddled to his spot, he held out his finger and did the "no-no" sign to her...it was so fricken funny. She yelled sorry, and he smiled back.

I think it was Stache who mentioned his BP. Yes, we would get there early just to watch it...AMAZING. Kind of frustrating to watch him do it with such ease and wish he would hit a few more in the games... But that wasn't his game...and being a Fastpitch guy I do love his game.

Growing up in Seattle kids would emulate Griffey in Little League...then moved on to Ichiro. To me that is the greatest compliment a player can have. When I was a kid I copied Rod Carew (as a lefty), did the elbow snap of Joe Morgan, rotated my bat like Willie Stargell, and tried to swing like Harmon Killebrew. Now my 8 yo son reaches out with his bat and times bringing it back with the pitcher...I love it.


One thing as a Mariners fan that hasn't been brought up here is how he left Seattle. Griffey left whining (I still love him, lol), A-Rod left for cash, and Ichiro left with CLASS. When it was clear the team was getting younger and he didn't quite fit, HE went to ownership after years of refusing to be traded due to loyalty, and asked for the betterment of the team to be traded, knowing he could have good trade return, and others needed to be developed for our future. It was the biggest story in our area...and forever endured him to our hearts if he wasn't already. I have to believe he will be a MARINER when he goes to the Hall...I have no doubts. Hell, I even will root for the Yankees now...and I HATE the Yankees...haha.


GO ICHIRO!!