1 seattle mariners (2001–2012)
1.1 2001: postseason appearance
1.2 2002
1.3 2003
1.4 2004
1.5 2005
1.6 inaugural world baseball classic
1.7 2006
1.8 2007
1.9 2008
1.10 2009 world baseball classic
1.11 2009
1.12 2010
1.13 2011
1.14 2012
seattle mariners (2001–2012)
2001: postseason appearance
ichiro in july 2001
due agreement between japanese baseball , mlb, ichiro not allowed play in united states before 2001. move united states viewed interest because among first japanese position players play mlb team. in same way many japanese teams had considered 18-year-old ichiro small draft in 1992, many americans believed prove frail succeed against major league pitching or endure longer 162-game season. ichiro made auspicious debut seattle, , in mariners eighth game revealed tremendous throwing arm gunning down oakland s terrence long, had tried advance first third on teammate s single right field. play dubbed throw japanese media covering ichiro s progress.
after expressing no preference uniform number, ichiro issued #51 mariners. hesitant because had been worn pitching star randy johnson. avoid insulting johnson, ichiro sent personal message pitcher promising not bring shame uniform. trepidation unfounded, had remarkable 2001 season, accumulating rookie-record 242 hits, mlb player since 1930. perennial gold glove fielding led safeco s right field dubbed area 51 .
with .350 batting average , 56 stolen bases, ichiro first player lead league in both categories since jackie robinson in 1949. season included hitting streaks of 25 , 23 games, appearance on cover of sports illustrated, , intense media attention on both sides of pacific. fans japan taking $2,000 baseball tours, flying in , out of u.s. watch ichiro s games. more 150 japanese reporters , photographers given media access. safeco field s sushi stands began selling ichirolls .
aided major league baseball s decision allow all-star voting in japan, ichiro first rookie lead players in voting all-star game. winter, won american league valuable player , rookie of year awards, becoming second player in mlb history (after fred lynn) receive both honors in same season. ichiro player in major league history have won mvp, rookie of year, gold glove award, silver slugger award, while starting in all-star game in same season.
2001 had been exceptionally successful regular season seattle mariners team, matched 1906 chicago cubs major league record of 116 wins. in postseason appearance mariners, ichiro continued hot hitting playoffs, batting .600 in alds against cleveland indians. however, seattle s stellar season ended against new york yankees in alcs, ichiro held .222 average. yankees manager joe torre had emphasized pitchers, not let ichiro beat you. key seattle s offense. informed of assessment, ichiro said, if true, give me great joy. don t believe right.
2002
ichiro finished second year in american baseball 208 total hits, making him first mariners player ever 2 consecutive seasons of 200+ hits. got off hot start in 2002, late-season slump drove batting average down .321, 29 points below batting average rookie. sixth player in mlb history start career 2 200-hit seasons. ichiro finished season second in al in hits, fourth in batting average, , fourth in steals. ichiro led major league all-star balloting second straight year. although mariners had 93–69 record, third-place finish in competitive al west.
2003
in 2003, ichiro became third player in history begin career 3 200-hit seasons, garnering 212. again finished in top ten hits, batting average, steals, , runs, and, again, late season slump brought average down 40 points (to .312). ichiro elected third star game in 3 years had been in league, , again vote leader in both leagues. however, second-place mariners again fell short of playoffs.
2004
the display of ichiro suzuki, located on third floor of national baseball hall of fame , museum, shows ichi-meter, record hits in season ichiro suzuki in 2004.
ichiro had best offensive season date in 2004, highlighted breaking of george sisler s 84-year-old record hits (257) in season. increase in games played benefited ichiro, accumulated 251 hits through first 154 games of season, although should noted sisler played entire career in era of racial segregation. ichiro recorded 50 hits in 4 different months of year (september , october combined mlb computational purpose), becoming first player ever have 4 in season. 51 hits in august 2001, ichiro joined pete rose players 5 50-hit months in career.
on may 21, ichiro recorded 2,000th professional hit. 200th hit of 2004 came in 126th game. end of september, 1 three-game series remaining, ichiro s hit total stood @ 256—one shy of sisler. ichiro singled off rangers ryan drese on october 1 tie sisler s record. in third inning, on 3–2 count, ichiro singled middle 258th hit of year, ichiro later called greatest moment of baseball career . greeted swarm of teammates, , standing ovation fans. sisler s daughter, francis sisler drochelman attended game, , greeted ichiro after hit. ichiro finished 2004 season record 262 hits, giving him single-season records both united states , japanese baseball.
in july 2009, while in st. louis ninth all-star appearance, ichiro made trip sisler s grave. later told reporters, there s not many chances come st. louis. in 2004, first time crossed paths him, , family generously came way seattle. above all, chance. wanted grand upperclassman of baseball world. think s natural want that, express feelings in way. i’m not sure if s happy it.
from 2001 2004, ichiro had more hits (924) in history on four-year period, breaking record of 918 bill terry accumulated 1929 1932; terry, however, played in 34 fewer games ichiro during respective four-year spans. later surpass own mark recording 930 hits 2004 2007. during 1 56-game stretch in 2004, ichiro batted on .450. comparison, joe dimaggio batted .408 during record-setting 56-game hitting streak. ichiro batted on .400 against left-handed pitching in 2004.
2005
during off-season, then-manager bob melvin s contract not extended , mariners brought in mike hargrove new manager contract through 2007. ironically, hargrove predicted ichiro no better fourth outfielder on [an american] major league team when ichiro still in japan. speculation started hargrove , ichiro did not along in season.
in 2005, ichiro had second worst year in mlb career date, collecting 206 hits (the lowest total of career point). however, reached plateau of .300 batting average, 100+ runs, 30+ steals, , 200+ hits fifth straight season. allowed ichiro become first player collect 200 hits per season in each of first 5 years in major leagues. willie keeler, wade boggs, chuck klein, al simmons, , charlie gehringer had had 5 consecutive 200-hit seasons @ point in careers. during season, accumulated 1,000 career hits, reaching career milestone faster other player in mlb history. ichiro hit career-high 15 home runs. in off-season, ichiro played himself in furuhata ninzaburō, japanese columbo-like tv drama loves. in drama, kills person , arrested.
inaugural world baseball classic
ichiro suzuki @ world baseball classic, march 2006
ichiro played japan national baseball team in inaugural world baseball classic in march 2006. during march 15 japan-korea game ichiro booed few spectators during every at-bat, reportedly in response previous statement wanted beat south korea badly, south koreans won t want play japan 30 years. that, however, incorrect translation spread public through espn. ichiro variously quoted saying want win in way opponent think, cannot catch japan coming 30 years . should not merely win games. japan later beat korea in playoffs , win tournament after defeating cuba in finals, 10–6. tournament, ichiro had twelve hits including home run, 7 runs, , 4 stolen bases.
2006
ichiro s 2006 season got off unexpected start, outfielder hitting low .177 in season s third week. rebounded, finishing season .322 average (sixth in al , 11th in majors). ichiro s 224 hits led majors, , recorded 110 runs , 45 stolen bases. ichiro caught stealing twice in 2006, 96% success rate. 1,354 career u.s. hits topped wade boggs s record hits in six-year period. in sixth year in majors, ichiro collected sixth gold glove award, , sixth all-star game selection. won fielding bible award best fielding mlb right fielder.
ichiro began wearing high stocking baseball pants in 2006 world baseball classic.
2007
ichiro rounding bases on september 22, 2007
in may , june, ichiro hit in 25 consecutive games, breaking previous seattle mariners record set joey cora in 1997. ichiro broke tim raines s american league record stealing 41 consecutive bases without being caught. ichiro extended record 45; major league record of 50 belongs vince coleman.
on july 10, 2007, became first player hit inside-the-park home run in mlb all-star game after unpredictable hop off right field wall of at&t park in san francisco. first inside-the-park home run of ichiro s professional career. ichiro perfect 3-for-3 in game , named valuable player in american league s 5–4 victory.
2007 marked end of ichiro s second contract mariners, , told mlb.com enter free agent market, citing team s lack of success in recent years. however, in july ichiro signed five-year contract extension seattle. deal reported worth $90 million, consisting of $17 million annual salary , $5 million signing bonus. associated press reported ichiro s contract extension defers $25 million of $90 million @ 5.5% interest until after retirement, payments through 2032. other provisions in ichiro s contract include yearly housing allowance of more $30,000, , 4 first-class round-trip tickets japan each year family. provided either new jeep or mercedes suv, personal trainer , interpreter.
ichiro suzuki
on july 29, 2007, ichiro collected 1,500th u.s. hit, third fastest reach mlb milestone behind al simmons , george sisler. ichiro had 213 hits in 2008, eighth straight 200-hit season. tied 107-year-old record set wee willie keeler. typically, ichiro among baseball s leaders in reaching base on error (14 times in 2008, more other batter in al), , in infield hits (his 56 in majors). ichiro has amassed more 450 infield hits in u.s. career. detroit third baseman brandon inge told new york times, wish put camera @ third base see how hits ball , see way deceives you. can call guys’ infield hits cheap, not his. has amazing technique. in may 2008, ichiro stole 2 bases, giving him career total of 292, surpassing previous seattle mariners team record of 290 set second baseman julio cruz. cruz, spanish-language broadcasts of mariners games, watching broadcast booth ichiro broke record.
2008
on july 29, 2008, ichiro became second-youngest player amass 3,000 top-level professional hits (1,278 in japan + 1,722 in u.s.) after ty cobb became second japanese professional 3,000 hits (nippon professional baseball s record holder isao harimoto, 3,085 hits).
by 2008, had emerged in media ichiro known within baseball tradition of exhorting american league team profanity-laced pregame speech in clubhouse prior mlb all-star game. asked if speech had had effect on al s decade-long winning streak, ichiro deadpanned, i’ve got on 90 percent. minnesota first baseman justin morneau describes effect: if you’ve never seen it, s pretty funny. s hard explain, effect has on everyone. s such tense environment. s little nervous game, , comes out. doesn’t whole lot whole time s in there, , of sudden, manager gets done speech, , pops off. boston s slugger david ortiz says simply, s why win.
2009 world baseball classic
despite struggling uncharacteristically during of tournament, ichiro provided game-winning hit in championship game against south korea. 2 outs in top of tenth inning, broke 3–3 tie two-run single. prove margin of victory in japan s 5–3 defeat of south korea. ichiro ended night 4-for-6, bringing total 6-for-10 in wbc championship games.
2009
ichiro began 2009 season going on disabled list first time in career. had bleeding ulcer, team doctor mitch storey said may have been caused in part stress of playing in world baseball classic. after missing 8 games, ichiro debuted on april 15 , went 2-for-5 against angels, including grand slam 3,085th career hit. home run matched isao harimoto s japanese record career hits, , harimoto had been flown out seattle witness event. ichiro surpassed record following night.
ichiro named #30 on sporting news 2009 list of 50 greatest current players in baseball, voted upon 100-person panel of experts , former stars. in may , june, ichiro surpassed own franchise record 27-game hitting streak. ichiro went on record 44 hits in june 2009, 20th career month 40 or more hits. previous players have accomplished stan musial in nl , lou gehrig in al.
on september 6 against oakland s, ichiro collected 2,000th mlb hit on second pitch of game, double along first base foul line. second-fastest player reach milestone, behind al simmons. on september 13 against texas rangers, ichiro collected 200th hit of season ninth consecutive year, setting all-time major league record. ichiro recorded 210 hits orix in 1994, thereby giving him total of ten 200 hit seasons in professional career.
ichiro meeting president barack obama before 2009 all-star game on july 14, 2009.
with 2 outs in bottom of 9th inning, september 18, ichiro hit walk-off, two-run home run against yankees closer mariano rivera, scoring michael saunders in 1 of more memorable victories of season. homer made winner out of félix hernández, in line loss despite having allowed 1 run in 9 innings pitched.
on september 26, 2009, ichiro ejected game first time in professional career. arguing strikeout pitch toronto s david purcey had been outside, ichiro used bat draw line on outer edge of plate, , tossed umpire brian runge. mariner ejected game season. ejection may have hurt ichiro s chances regarding esoteric record: longest playing streak without going hitless in consecutive games. ichiro s stretch @ 180 games, longest in majors since doc cramer went 191 consecutive games without back-to-back 0-fers in 1934–35. ichiro went hitless in following afternoon s game.
ichiro again led majors in hits in 2009, 225. in spite of hitting ground balls @ rate of 55 percent, grounded 1 double play season, in april 15th game, first game played in 2009. won second fielding bible award best fielding right fielder in mlb.
2010
ichiro s 32 career leadoff home runs rank ninth time. nevertheless, in 2009, ichiro told new york times:
chicks dig home runs aren’t ones appeal me. think there s sexiness in infield hits because require technique. i’d rather impress chicks technique brute strength. then, every , then, show can that, too, might flirt little hitting 1 out.
after playing in season opener against oakland athletics, ichiro became eligible hall of fame consideration, playing in tenth mlb season. on june 5, 2010, ichiro scored 1,000th career mlb run against angels on franklin gutierrez s rbi groundout. third mariner in history reach milestone. on september 1, 2010, ichiro collected 2,200th hit, leadoff infield single against cleveland indians pitcher josh tomlin.
ichiro suzuki on june 10, 2009.
during august 2010 series against new york yankees, ichiro traveled calvary cemetery in queens, new york, pay respects @ grave of hall-of-famer wee willie keeler.
on september 23, ichiro hit single center field against toronto blue jays pitcher shawn hill become first mlb player in history reach 200 hit mark 10 consecutive seasons. feat tied him pete rose career seasons of 200+ hits, , surpassed ty cobb career seasons of 200+ hits in al. finished season 214 hits, topping mlb in category. ichiro finished season ironman style, playing in 162 games. ichiro , matt kemp did 2010 season. ichiro s 3rd season playing in 162 games. also, ichiro nominated year in baseball award. ichiro finished first or second in hits in of first 10 mlb seasons.
ichiro won tenth consecutive rawlings gold glove award in 2010, tying ken griffey jr., andruw jones, , al kaline, , trailing roberto clemente , willie mays (twelve each) major league outfielders. ichiro won second consecutive , third overall fielding bible award statistically based defensive excellence in right field.
2011
on april 2, 2011, ichiro broke seattle mariners all-time career hits record 2,248th hit in 9th inning versus oakland athletics, overtaking team s previous leader edgar martínez. 2011 marked first time in ichiro s 11 seasons failed make star team. batted under .300 (.277) before star break first time in career. on july 10, manager eric wedge did not start ichiro, ending then-major league-best active streak of 255 consecutive starts. ichiro followed 11-game hitting streak, wedge noted s not easy give guy day off due ichiro s iconic stature. on august 22, ichiro hit 35th career leadoff homer, tying him 6th place bobby bonds. ichiro finished season batting career-low .272 184 hits, first time in 11-year mlb career did not record 200 hits. first season not playing in all-star game, first season not winning gold glove.
2012
on june 19, 2012, ichiro led off game against arizona diamondbacks single center field, 2,500th hit of mlb career. ichiro reached milestone in fourth-fewest games in major league history, after al simmons, ty cobb, , george sisler. in 13-inning road loss oakland s on july 8, ichiro placed second in batting order , responded going 2 6 bring season batting average .261 heading all-star break. in previous night s game, ichiro recorded 2 hits break career-worst 0 23 hitless streak. ichiro had been tried @ three-spot in batting order during season earned $18 million. former teammate jay buhner stated felt ichiro recipient of blame mariners difficulties @ same time, need desperately. buhner stated if ichiro awarded three-year contract extension somewhere between $35 million , $40 million, d vomit. mean, really, no offense. no offense, ve got organization turned around. can t spending money on 1 guy.
with contract extension mariners unknown, ichiro stated, s going go both ways. can t come player. s got come team, too. if team saying need you, re necessary, becomes piece. if s coming player, s not going happen. ichiro s agent, tony attanasio, said, knows club has grow. knows have play younger guys , them more playing time. way knows move on. doesn t want stop playing. wants continue.
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