Ichiro

[Clockwork Orange]

I can't believe that we haven't had a thread on this yet, but better late than never.

With a week to go in the season, Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners is only 7 hits away from breaking the major league record for hits in a single season.

Now I know that MLB has done all they can to condition people to overlook hitting milestones unless they're home run records (according to the powers that be in MLB, all fans care about are high scoring games and lots of home runs), but I find this to be simply amazing.

George Sisler set the record of 257 hits in a season back in 1920. That's 84 years ago, so long ago that a Red Sox World Series parade was still semi-fresh in peoples minds. Ichiro is at 251 with 7 games remaining.

Now here's a guy going for a record that I can root for. Got get 'em Ichiro.

[FADERPROOF]

This is a big record, just too bad most casual fans don't seem to care about it because A.) Mariners are a last place team and B.) all but about 45 of those hits are all singles.

Singles make the box scores, singles win games, but singles don't make the hightlight films. Shows you how bad this Mariner team is, a guy that has broken the record for most singles in a season has been batting 3rd at times in their line-up order, that's pretty bad.

Only thing I don't like, is the Ichiro for MVP arguments. Sorry, but a guy on a last place team hitting singles all game isn't the league MVP. A-Rod winning it last year opened up a can of worms with people now thinking that team records don't matter and anyone having a great year could win it.

AL MVP is going to Sheff or Manny, NL MVP SADLY will go to Barry Bonds, although a team that is going to win the division over Bonds' Giants has a guy that means everything to his team batting .340 with 47 HR's.

[Rock Chalk]

Im rootin for ya Suzuki san!

GANBATTE KUDASAI!

[Nick C.]

was not even aware! this is much better then the Steroides inhanced HR records I hope he does it.

[FADERPROOF]

I'll be a lot happier to see 7 more hits off Ichiro's bat than I will be seeing 51 more HR's off Bonds bat.

[sutoazul]

I really hopes he gets at least 260 hits. Ichiro is great for baseball, only if the league would take advantage of this great deal.

[PatsWin2002]

The guy is great. That old record probably deserves to fall anyway. Too many of those old ones aren't possible now even though the players are better now.

The thing about Ichiro is how often he makes a single out of nothing. I love the way he gets those infield hits.

The only bit of criticism I have is that he's been a tad selfish at times while going for the record (I forget the specifics now, but it came up in their last series with the Red Sox.) There was clearly a situation where he put himself and the record before the team, but who cares.....he's the only thing selling tickets in Seattle these days anyway.

[Clockwork Orange]

The only bit of criticism I have is that he's been a tad selfish at times while going for the record

I wasn't aware of that. While I don't approve, I will say that when you're playing out the string on a last place team I can't really see too much harm in it.

Hey, if ESPN is willing to overlook Barry Bonds dogging it on the basepaths & in the field while doing nothing but swinging for the fences every time he lumbers up there in his suit of armor, I can let Ichiro slide.

(Gratuitous shot at Bonds, I know. I'll take them anywhere I can get them. :))

[Clockwork Orange]

An update, Ichiro now sits only 5 hits away from the record with 1 last night and 1 thus far tonight.

[Simply_Flawless]

I would like to see Ichiro Suzuki somehow stick around long enough to get 3,000 hits. I know it might be a long short for Ichiro to make the Hall of Fame, but how can you deny the guy?

[Rock Chalk]

Omedatou Suzuki sama!

[FADERPROOF]

congrats Ichiro a great record to break indeed.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

congrats Ichiro a great record to break indeed.
Congrats indeed! Over 80 years that record stood. I watched it last night live.
Ichiro is one of the things that is right with baseball!

[-Slap-]

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Ichiro passes Sisler, pads record

Associated Press
SEATTLE -- No. 258 for Ichiro Suzuki was like so many others, a little ground ball up the middle.
Only this one made history, a hit cheered 'round the world.

Suzuki set the major league record for hits in a season Friday night, breaking George Sisler's 84-year-old mark with a pair of early singles as the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 8-3.

Through my career, I think this is the best moment," Suzuki said through an interpreter. "I can't really put it into words."
Suzuki later got another hit, giving him 259 this season and a major league-leading .373 average.

Suzuki chopped a leadoff single in the first inning, then put himself in the record book with a bouncer in the third.
"I think that's the most emotional I've ever gotten in my life," said Suzuki, who is known for his steely, methodical approach.
Fireworks exploded after Suzuki's big hit reached the outfield, creating a haze over Safeco Field, and his teammates mobbed him at first base.

"Goose bumps aren't even the right word," Seattle manager Bob Melvin said. "That second hit almost brought tears to my eyes. ... If you're talking about sending a guy up for a hit, this guy is the best ever."
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1893214

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20041002/capt.se20510020331.rangers_mariners_se205.jpg

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20041002/mdf714901.jpg

[Clockwork Orange]

Congrats to Ichiro on breaking this long standing record. You deserve it.

Bonzai!!!! :)