Playing style Ichiro Suzuki



ichiro taking lead first base


sportswriter bruce jenkins, writing in san francisco chronicle, described ichiro s distinctive style of play:



there s nobody ichiro in either league—now or ever. exists strictly within own world, playing game 100 percent unfamiliar else. game has known plenty of slap hitters, none sacrifice natural ability sake of art... ichiro, man of wondrous strength, puts on impressive power-hitting displays nightly in batting practice. , ll go deep in games, looking again, often... [but] man lives hits, little tiny ones, , glory of standing atop world in category. every spring, scouts or media types write him off, swearing opposing pitchers have found key, , embarrassingly wrong .



while known hitting ability, not draw many walks. in 2004, when set single-season record hits, low walk total (49) led him being on base total of 315 times. 58th-most times player has reached base in season , short of major league record of 379 set babe ruth in 1923.


ichiro has home run batting stroke displays in batting practice, not in games. new york times criticized inability improve power when mariner teams low-scoring while noting did not steal bases rickey henderson or tim raines. ichiro, however, once commented, if m allowed hit .220, hit 40 [home runs], nobody wants that.


ichiro has long been interested in pitching professionally, , took mound pitch 1 batter in 1996 npb star game, reaching close 91 mph (145 km) in warm pitches. in 2009, reported during february workout @ world baseball classic fastball clocked @ 92 mph. on final day of 2015 season on october 4, ichiro pitched in first mlb game, throwing 1 complete inning @ end of 7–2 marlins loss against philadelphia phillies, allowing 1 run on 2 hits. still able touch 88 mph fastball go along mid 80s slider.








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