Ichiro!! Ichiro!! Ichiro!!

[Degenerate]

Ichiro Suzuki leads the majors with 223 hits, 34 short of the all-time single-season record. He has 27 games remaining to reach the record of 257 hits, set by George Sisler in 1920 with the St. Louis Browns.

"He didn't hit the ball hard -- it barely got out of the infield -- and he's still 5-for-5."

Suzuki has had five or more hits in a game three times -- all this season. He has two or more hits in six of his last seven games.

Buehrle (13-8), who left after seven innings with an 8-3 lead, even lobbed an eephus pitch to start Suzuki's seventh-inning at-bat.

"In Japan, I saw that a lot," Suzuki said through a translator. "But here, it's probably the first time."

After Suzuki's fifth hit in the ninth, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

"To give an ovation to an opposing player, I think they really love the game," Suzuki said. "It really made me feel good to see that."

----------------------------------------

Come on Ichiro!! You can do it!! He's such a pure hitter. Never have I seen anyone be so consistent at the plate. Brings back memories of Wade Boggs and Tony Gwynn but he even surpases them. He doesn't hit for power but he's just simply amazing.

[mingcourt]

Ichiro will break the record for sure.

He has had almost as many 2 hit+ games as his 1 hit games.

[Topher]

It would be nice to see such a talented player make a real run at .400! I remember when George Brett did that, put some excitement into the end of a season where there is no hope for the Mariners.

[Degenerate]

It would be nice to see such a talented player make a real run at .400! I remember when George Brett did that, put some excitement into the end of a season where there is no hope for the Mariners.

Don't forget Olerud. The sweetest swing in baseball. I'll always remember .363

[nx2k]

im in an Ichiro fan but 34 in 27 is not likely, i have my doubts.
i dunno if you can say he surpasses Boggs or Gwynn, hitting is one thing but when you can combine power and avg together, that's the ultimate package.
Ripken is another player that comes to mind when he was in his prime.

[mingcourt]

Q, back when George Sisler set the record in 1920 with 257 hits, how many games did the St.Louis Browns play during the regular season??

[Rehan]

Q, back when George Sisler set the record in 1920 with 257 hits, how many games did the St.Louis Browns play during the regular season??
154. And Sisler played in each game.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sislege01.shtml

[BD006]

im in an Ichiro fan but 34 in 27 is not likely, i have my doubts.

Really? The way he's been hittin lately, 34 in 27 seems almost too easy. He only needs a couple two-hit games and the rest one-hitters and he'll pass it.

[Degenerate]

I think it's highly possible for him. Who knows what he can pull off especially with that 5 for 5 game he had the other night. Only 1 hit yesterday tho.

[shadowfighta]

He probably woulda had the record (or been a lot closer) if he wasn't in a horrible slump in April when he was batting something around 250. I read that the hitting coach, Paul Molitor, tried to get Suzuki to change his stance or something to hit for more power in April and that experiment failed miserably. He went back to his old ways and has been hot ever since.

[Degenerate]

Damn that Paul Molitor what the hell does he know about hitting :P

[cozmo]

Don't forget Olerud. The sweetest swing in baseball. I'll always remember .363

Good old Johnny O. I was disappointed that the Mariners let him go. At least he has a chance to win another world series in New York! :)

[rsaavedra]

I love the guy, I mean he doesn't hit for power but imagine he was on a team like the Yankees....who could use a nice lead off hitter right now.


If Ichiro was on the Yankees, he'd break the season record for the runs in a season.....



He's the best contact hitter in baseball, and please to knock him about power......half the guys in the MLB now a days aren't natural. Ichiro looks like he has a "normal" body


peace

Ryan

[sfu_lifer]

Paul Molitor is a great hitter But you don't go changing Someone's swing esp. when it's natural. 34 in 27 should be attainable especially the way Ichiro's hitting. Only thing that May stop this is injury or the Barry bonds effect (constant walks). As a leadoff, I don't think power is needed. Neither Gwynn nor Boggs hit for homers cither. Who cares if it's on infield single, a hit is a hit.

[siriuskao]

I love the guy, I mean he doesn't hit for power but imagine he was on a team like the Yankees....who could use a nice lead off hitter right now.


If Ichiro was on the Yankees, he'd break the season record for the runs in a season.....



He's the best contact hitter in baseball, and please to knock him about power......half the guys in the MLB now a days aren't natural. Ichiro looks like he has a "normal" body


peace

Ryan


See Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire ... juiced up body. Glad to see ppl chasing some other record insead of HR.

above avg hitter + steroids = HR king

[Philip_69]

Nothing was sweeter than seeing Ichiro nailed a HR for his MLB record 200 hits a few weeks ago. Did anybody watch that game with Royal?

Cheers

[shadowfighta]

Barry Bonds hits for a pretty good average as well, mid 350 ish? Although I haven't seen what his average is in the last few weeks. Ichiro was hitting 378 after last night!!!

[jalaram]

Barry Bonds hits for a pretty good average as well, mid 350 ish? Although I haven't seen what his average is in the last few weeks. Ichiro was hitting 378 after last night!!!

Exactly. Steroids don't help you hit for average. Barry is still an amazing hitter. That said, I am hoping Ichiro sets the record.

BTW, Gwynn had a run at .400, but was stopped by the last player strike.

[bobaroo]

Exactly. Steroids don't help you hit for average. Barry is still an amazing hitter. That said, I am hoping Ichiro sets the record.

BTW, Gwynn had a run at .400, but was stopped by the last player strike.

Wrong. Steroids and other training supplements DO help you hit for average. They help in that they allow you to train harder and more frequently. More practice/training leads to a higher average. Don't get me wrong... these players are all incredibly talented, which they need to have inately to reach the levels they have. Steroids/supplements only help a person reach their maximum potential, they do not increase natural ability or talent.

[Degenerate]

257 hits??? He's at 229 so far with 23 games remaining.

[The_One]

BTW, Gwynn had a run at .400, but was stopped by the last player strike.

I remember that one. He was at .395 or .393. Too bad. :arrow:

[Degenerate]

c'mon Ichiro you've fallen off pace. Juice yourself up for the remaining 19 games or something lol

[gman]

I have just read this:

"In 53 September at-bats, Ichiro Suzuki has swung and missed just three times.
That is just incredible. Ichiro, who must have faced at least 200 pitches this month, failed to make contact only three times when he offered at the pitch. What planet is this guy from anyway? Source: Seattle Post Intelligencer"

[NDman]

I have just read this:

"In 53 September at-bats, Ichiro Suzuki has swung and missed just three times.
That is just incredible. Ichiro, who must have faced at least 200 pitches this month, failed to make contact only three times when he offered at the pitch. What planet is this guy from anyway? Source: Seattle Post Intelligencer"

"That's just incredible"... exactly the first thing that came out of my mind, and nothing else.

[part-trader]

i read that the early motions of his swing resembles a samurai sword being drawn, never to miss it's target, how many times have you ever read about a baseball player's swing being put so poetic

[Degenerate]

i read that the early motions of his swing resembles a samurai sword being drawn, never to miss it's target, how many times have you ever read about a baseball player's swing being put so poetic

Not poetic enough because he's not going to break the record :mad:

[sfu_lifer]

Never say never.
He is off pace now that he's cooled off but there's still a chance if he hits about .365 for the last bunch of games. If only Molitor didn't screw around with Ichiro's swing in the first month, he'd be there by now :evil:

[barqy]

how many games left?

and how many hits does need?

22 hits in 13 games?

[Degenerate]

i think 21 hits in 13 games

[Rehan]

5-for-5 tonight... 14 more to go in 11 games.

[Hanniganite]

5-for-5 tonight... 14 more to go in 11 games.

Very nice. 14 in 11 is like a walk in the park for Ichiro. Hopefully nothing goes wrong (weird slump, gets walked/injured, etc) :cool:

[x21hx]

5-for-5 tonight... 14 more to go in 11 games.

DAMN..u serious!...wow..good for him....keep us posted then...

[Degenerate]

are you serious?!! darn it he still has a chance!

ICHIRO! ICHIRO!

[jeanluc]

yeah, it's unreal. this is his 4th 5-hit game of the season.

[sfu_lifer]

Told you don't count him out yet.
He has a chance but I hope he keeps it up (the hot streak).
Him and Barry are unreal.
A couple more 2 for 4 and he can one hit the rest of the season's games :)

[gman]

2 Hits so far tonight.

2 singles, one ground out, one intentional walk and one fielder's choice ... so far tonight.

[gman]

Another single. 3 hit so far. :cheesygri

[Jaytee]

4 for 6.

Needs 10 more.

[sfu_lifer]

4 more hits.
boy, so long as he doesn't have any 0 fers, the record is as good as gone.

[Degenerate]

Unbelieveable. I was listening to the Fan 590 tonight and the host was saying it's a shame that this would be such a monsterous record breaker. Over 80 years in the making and yet he's not getting the coverage and hype because of two reasons.

1) Unfortunately his team the Mariners are just doing terrible.
2) I'm sorry to say because he's Japanese. If it was Derek Jeter up there he would definately get the attention that he deserves.

I hope Ichiro does it. It would rank up there with my memory or McGwire hitting #63 vs Sammy Sosa and the Chicaco Cubs.

ICHIRO! ICHIRO!

[sfu_lifer]

Not just that. This is a record for hits, with the vast majority of them wimpy singles. Even Sisler did not get the recognition he deserved for this record.

This is an astounding achievement to get this far already, once he gets closer, the hype will grow.

[crazyboie]

Especially if he wins the .AVG crown

Suzuki, .374 (151 Games, 660 AB, 247 H, 46 BB)
Bonds, .370 (137 Games, 351 AB, 130 H, 213 BB)

crazy how many times Barry gets walked....

[gman]

Especially if he wins the .ERA crown

Suzuki, .374 (151 Games, 660 AB, 247 H, 46 BB)
Bonds, .370 (137 Games, 351 AB, 130 H, 213 BB)

crazy how many times Barry gets walked....

Crazy part is how many time Barry gets INTENTIONAL walks. He had 4 last night. One triple and 4 intentional walks.

[shadowfighta]

ERA crown? You mean batting average.

[gman]

Ichiro Suzuki has 11 hits in his last 13 at-bats, and needs only 10 hits in his last 10 games to break George Sisler's 84-year-old major league record for most hits in a season.

For the coverage and hype, any baseball fans know about this. For those who don't, they are not baseball fans and ... who cares.

Tony Batista is also going crazy recently. 8 HR in last 10 games. Before that, he had only 2 hits in September. He is from too cold to too hot.

[gman]

ERA crown? You mean batting average.

Of course, they all win the ERA crown. They are all 0.00. ;)

[crazyboie]

ERA crown? You mean batting average.

Thanks :)

[jalaram]

For the coverage and hype, any baseball fans know about this. For those who don't, they are not baseball fans and ... who cares.


Very true. In a way, a big reason is still the last strike. Baseball lost so many fans because of that. If Ichiro was doing this pre-strike, there would be a lot more hype because there would be more fans.

As far as his being Japanese affecting the hype, it might in a little way, but it has more to do with 1) being in a small market and 2)east-coast bias. If any player on the east coast was doing it, there would be more hype. If a NY player (Met or Yankee) was doing it, it would be in the news everyday.

[Philip_69]

2 - 4 tonight ... what a sweet swing.

[shadowfighta]

Of course, they all win the ERA crown. They are all 0.00. ;)

Didn't Frank Menechino (sp?), infielder from the Jays, pitch an inning a few weeks ago? Not sure if he gave up any runs though =/

[sfu_lifer]

Ichiro's hits aren't very pretty but boy, are they ever effective. I feel sorry for the pitchers, the guy can foul the ball all day and still deliver a hit when needed and makes you work for it too.

[mingcourt]

Man, he got intentionally walked last night in teh last inning vs. Texas... is that respect or what?

If the ball aint hit like a bullet to someone in the infield, Ichiro's got a basehit.

[felix]

oh, I used to love John Olerud! Thought he was a cutie. Had a big poster of him on my door. Back when he was a Blue Jay and they were actually winning.

And this Paul Molitor ... wasn't he a blue jay too? Like a 1st baseman? The name sounds really familiar.

This Japanese Ichiro guy ... is he like one of the few japanese in MLB? I've stopped watching baseball for some time since the last Jays world series ... back then there were no asians in baseball I don't think. My how times have changed!

What other asians are in baseball/hockey? I know a few years ago in hockey there were no black people. I thought they were just racist and hired white people only. But then I learned that Grant Fuhr or whatever is half black.



Don't forget Olerud. The sweetest swing in baseball. I'll always remember .363

[Degenerate]

oh, I used to love John Olerud! Thought he was a cutie. Had a big poster of him on my door. Back when he was a Blue Jay and they were actually winning.

And this Paul Molitor ... wasn't he a blue jay too? Like a 1st baseman? The name sounds really familiar.

This Japanese Ichiro guy ... is he like one of the few japanese in MLB? I've stopped watching baseball for some time since the last Jays world series ... back then there were no asians in baseball I don't think. My how times have changed!

What other asians are in baseball/hockey?
Olerud was a cutie?? http://home.comcast.net/~otuploads/Retouched/riaa.gif

Molitor was our DH the season after Winfield left. A worth replacement definately.

There are a couple asians in the MLB. Matsui from the Yankees. This Kim dude that just chokes every playoff and he should be sent back to Korea or where ever he's from. There's some other pitcher I know but don't recall what team and his hame.

Hockey there was Jim Peak or something like that years ago on Pittsburg. There's that Richard Park dude on Minnesota that's Korean. Then of course they're Paul Kariya who's part Jap.

I know a few years ago in hockey there were no black people. I thought they were just racist and hired white people only. But then I learned that Grant Fuhr or whatever is half black.

Now that is 5 stars right there. Man I can't stop laughing!!!!

There are quite a few black hockey players in the league now and most of them are pretty violent oddly enough. Donald Brashear, Georges Laraque, Peter Worell, Mike Grier. The more skilled players Kevin Weeks and Anson Carter straight outta the ghetto in Scarborough. The best black player by far is of course Jarome Iginla.

[felix]

Hmm ... never heard of any of them. Must be newbies in the past few years. I remember a few years ago when I used to collect those Panini NHL hockey sticker albums, and I had pretty much all the players (and many duplicates). After seeing their names a couple times you start to remember them, and I'm positive that all of them were white.

It's always nice to see multiculturalism in pro sports. Eventually many years down the road there will be no more racism.

[Philip_69]

Dont forget Danny Graves from the Reds, he's half Vietnamese and half American (born in Saigon, Vietnam). I guess he's the only Vietnamerican :cheesygri in the MLB. Unfortunately, he sucks big time this year, he's better as a closer though, IMHO.

Cheers

[Degenerate]

Hmm ... never heard of any of them. Must be newbies in the past few years. I remember a few years ago when I used to collect those Panini NHL hockey sticker albums, and I had pretty much all the players (and many duplicates). After seeing their names a couple times you start to remember them, and I'm positive that all of them were white.

It's always nice to see multiculturalism in pro sports. Eventually many years down the road there will be no more racism.

I guess you don't watch hockey anymore or follow the Leafs. If you follow hockey then you would definately know Iginla. If you followed the Leafs you would know Brashear.

We need more asians in the NHL. That way they will be more ice surface since they're so damn small.

[mingcourt]

There are a couple asians in the MLB. Matsui from the Yankees. This Kim dude that just chokes every playoff and he should be sent back to Korea or where ever he's from. There's some other pitcher I know but don't recall what team and his hame.


Don't forget Kaz Matsui from the Mets. I remember watching him play... he had a big game earlier in the season. Monster homeruns.... but other than that, nothing special hehe...


I guess you don't watch hockey anymore or follow the Leafs. If you follow hockey then you would definately know Iginla. If you followed the Leafs you would know Brashear.

Why is that? Brashear was on the Flyers when he got hit, wasnt he? Brashear's nobody special...

[gman]

There are quite a few of Asian baseball player in MLB.

Japanese:
Nomo and Ishii of LA.
Matsui of NYY.
Matsui (SS) of NYM. Pretty useless.
Sasaki (was with Sea last year)
Ichiro (of course)
Irabu (the infamouse big Toad :cheesygri )

Korean:
Kim's (one in Expo and one in Boston)
Chan Ho Park of Texas.
Hee Seop Choi (LA)

Chinese:
Bruce Chen (was Jays but traded to Baltamore)
Chin-Feng Chen (LA)

[Degenerate]

Don't forget Kaz Matsui from the Mets. I remember watching him play... he had a big game earlier in the season. Monster homeruns.... but other than that, nothing special hehe...

Why is that? Brashear was on the Flyers when he got hit, wasnt he? Brashear's nobody special...

When who got hit? Anyways what I meant was if you followed the Leafs you would know who Donald Brashear was because we faced him the past 2 years in the playoffs.

[sfu_lifer]

I think the hit was referring to the Marty McSorley/Donald Brashear incident when Brash was with the Canucks. Got Marty kicked out of the NHL for that one plus an assault charge from the VPD.
The Big and Little Matsui's from NY are not doing too badly though nowhere near the success Ichiro has had.

[gman]

I think the hit was referring to the Marty McSorley/Donald Brashear incident when Brash was with the Canucks. Got Marty kicked out of the NHL for that one plus an assault charge from the VPD.
The Big and Little Matsui's from NY are not doing too badly though nowhere near the success Ichiro has had.

Little Matsui is plain suck. He is hurt in a big portion of the season and have not played since the beginning of August.

I drafted him as my starting SS in my fantasy team. He did hit some HR (7) but he always did that when I bench him and I did not bench him much at that time. I was glad I got rid of him.

Anyway, 107 games, .275 avg (not too bad here), 13 SB (3 catch stolen), 93K (in 107 games :evil: ) and the worst is 23 errors.

[mingcourt]

LOL! Kaz Matsui must've ruined your team... What round did you draft him?

[gman]

LOL! Kaz Matsui must've ruined your team... What round did you draft him?

Not really. I dumped him early. I drafted him in 8th round. I did not think I had SS weakness at that time. I thought my weakness was 2B. But, I drafted Loretta in 18th round. :cheesygri

The SS position was covered by a combination of Cin SS Larkin/Freel/F.Lopez, Crosby, K. Green, N. Perez.

I probably will win my league this year. Leading 260 FP and only a few games to go. I am doing pretty good this year. Winning without any ace starting pitchers.

These were what I drafted (in that order):

K.Brown, Matt Morris, A. Rhodes (wavied), Isringhausen, D. Willis, David Wells, Eric Milton, Byung-Hyun Kim (wavied), M. Batista (wavied)

These are what I have now:

K.Benson, Eric Milton, B.Tomko, David Wells, D. WIllis, Kevin Brown (virtually DL), Luke Hudson, J. Isringhausen, Brad Lidge, Matt Morris, S. Takatsu, Pineiro (DL)

Pretty suck, eh? But, I keep on doing right match up at the right time and got a lot of points. :cheesygri

[gman]

Need 8 hits in 8 games to break the record now.

[Philip_69]

7 more ...

[Degenerate]

7 more ...

http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/werd.gif

[Philip_69]

http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/werd.gif

Chill, man. I was refering to 7 more hits to beat Sisler's record ....:D

Cheers

[mingcourt]

I dunno... they are walking him a lot more. he might not be able to get the hits!! :P

[gman]

I guess he has to hit in his first plate appearance every game. It does not make sense to walk the 1st batter. :cheesygri

May be SF can solve Bonds walking problem by putting him lead off so that he can get at least one AB. Just kidding. :cheesygri

[shadowfighta]

There are quite a few of Asian baseball player in MLB.

Japanese:
Nomo and Ishii of LA.
Matsui of NYY.
Matsui (SS) of NYM. Pretty useless.
Sasaki (was with Sea last year)
Ichiro (of course)
Irabu (the infamouse big Toad :cheesygri )


What happened to Irabu? I completely forgot about him. Did he pitch for the Expos in 03 or was that 02? There are some other japanese players. I remember Mac Suzuki (not sure of his last name) in KC (no idea if he's still there or even in MLB anymore), Hasegawa (think he was on the all star team last season) and the gay porn dude from Cleveland :cheesygri

[Degenerate]

6 more hits to break the record. 6 games left.

[part-trader]

i believe he can do it

[gman]

4 more hits to go.

[barqy]

what happened to sasaki??

did he get traded or is he hurt?

havent heard much about him all season

he was the M's best closer the past couple of seasons :(

[gman]

what happened to sasaki??

did he get traded or is he hurt?

havent heard much about him all season

he was the M's best closer the past couple of seasons :(

He was hurt mostly last year. I think he was hurt in the beginning of last season and did not come back to play. He is not in MLB anymore. He is back to Japan to nurse the injury.

[NDman]

So... 4 more hits to break the record. Seatle has 2 more games vs Oakland (including tonight). Imaginary scenario... let's say Ichiro gets 3 hits in tonight, or gets his 3rd hit tomorrow before his final at-bat. If you were Bob Melvin, will you sit Ichiro until they go home vs Rangers (3-game series over the weekend), or let Ichiro go out and break the record away from home?

[Degenerate]

too bad he couldn't do it in 14 games tho....oh wells still it's a new record.

[gman]

So... 4 more hits to break the record. Seatle has 2 more games vs Oakland (including tonight). Imaginary scenario... let's say Ichiro gets 3 hits in tonight, or gets his 3rd hit tomorrow before his final at-bat. If you were Bob Melvin, will you sit Ichiro until they go home vs Rangers (3-game series over the weekend), or let Ichiro go out and break the record away from home?

Why would he want to sit Ichiro? Oakland is still in the race. Any team manager should put the best players on the field to be the giant killer.

[gman]

3 more to go.

[crazyboie]

1 hit tonight so far ...bottom of the sixth

[gman]

The baseball playoff is getting more and more exciting.

SF, Hou and Cubs are all fighting for one wild card spot. Cubs lost today. Hou won today and SF is tie with SD right now.

And, Oakland and Ana are fighting for the last spot in AL .. AL West. Ana came back from 5-6 and is leading 8-6 in the bottom of 11th. And, the mostly excellent Rangers closer Codero blow the save. Oak tie with Sea right now.

Update: Percival has just lost 1 run to make it 8-7 with 2 outs and nobody on base.
Update: Oakland has just scored one run to lead 2-1.

Update: Ana won its game.

[sfu_lifer]

Crap, Ichiro is on the choke (ah well, he can just 1-hit the rest of the way).
I hope Oakland makes it over the Angels, just because they have a much smaller budget.

[jeanluc]

Why would he want to sit Ichiro? Oakland is still in the race. Any team manager should put the best players on the field to be the giant killer.

yeah, i was just about to say that. don't think any manager will sit a hot player on the bench just so the player can break any record at home.

[jeanluc]

He was hurt mostly last year. I think he was hurt in the beginning of last season and did not come back to play. He is not in MLB anymore. He is back to Japan to nurse the injury.

yes, he was hurt mostly last year. but i don't think his injury is the reason why he didn't come back to mlb. official word is that he wants to be in japan to be with his family.

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/sea/news/sea_news.jsp?ymd=20040121&content_id=629702&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp

[gman]

Another hit. 1 to tie. 2 to break the record.

[ashtray13]

He did it!! # 258.. Single up the middle... I was watching it on MLB.Com :D

[sfu_lifer]

I was watching it live on TV
YEAH!!! 258 plus 100 runs all in one night
Plus he broke the 4-year hit total record as well.

What a grand night for the Japanese dude and baseball as well.

And still he gets no respect from the MLB writers ... ESPN is already dissing him.

[bionicbadger]

Thats frickin incredible. The guy is a machine. Grats to him.

[Degenerate]

He did it!! # 258.. Single up the middle... I was watching it on MLB.Com :D

where is it on mlb.com?

[felix]

why is he getting dissed? cuz he's japanese?

So which channel is this on? I only have basic cable (30 channels)

[Degenerate]

why is he getting dissed? cuz he's japanese?

So which channel is this on? I only have basic cable (30 channels)

definately because he's japanese. If Derek Jeter was in his place they'd make him a god.

[felix]

where is it on mlb.com?

yeah, looks like a paid service only.

Where does it say he is getting dissed? I don't think such a huge company would be racist.

[ashtray13]

where is it on mlb.com?
They were broadcasting his at bats live on Mlb.com for free... they took it off now that he broke it.

[Degenerate]

They were broadcasting his at bats live on Mlb.com for free... they took it off now that he broke it.

bastards! http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/rant2.gif

[sfu_lifer]

yeah, looks like a paid service only.

Where does it say he is getting dissed? I don't think such a huge company would be racist.

If you have an Insider account, you can read that nice little link right off the frontpage saying Ichiro is not even the same calibre of player as Sisler. Yeah he took longer to break the record, but the pitching he faced is far superior to Sisler's era. Some are already asking for an asterisk. What a joke.
NOBODY has come close to Sisler's record for 84 years, the fact Ichiro broke it is monumental.

[Degenerate]

If you have an Insider account, you can read that nice little link right off the frontpage saying Ichiro is not even the same calibre of player as Sisler. Yeah he took longer to break the record, but the pitching he faced is far superior to Sisler's era. Some are already asking for an asterisk. What a joke.
NOBODY has come close to Sisler's record for 84 years, the fact Ichiro broke it is monumental.

You also have to remember Sisler didn't have to deal with relief pitchers.

[Degenerate]

http://s6.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=073FF0B294DCA9A52596197092871746

download the video now before it goes offline!!

[CSR]

Ichiro will break the record for sure.

He has had almost as many 2 hit+ games as his 1 hit games.

good call

[gman]

259 hit now.

[Montague]

If you have an Insider account, you can read that nice little link right off the frontpage saying Ichiro is not even the same calibre of player as Sisler. Yeah he took longer to break the record, but the pitching he faced is far superior to Sisler's era. Some are already asking for an asterisk. What a joke.
NOBODY has come close to Sisler's record for 84 years, the fact Ichiro broke it is monumental.
It is exactly the same thing as what happened when Bailey won the 100m race and Johnson won the 200m race.

Suddenly the US sports media proclaimed the winner of the 200m race as the fastest man on earth when previously that title belonged to the winner of the 100m race.

I do not think it is racism by ESPN but rather as a result of nationalism.

It would have been interesting to notice the reaction if Ichiro was from France. :lol:

[mingcourt]

good call

thank you sir

[Kaz]

If you have an Insider account, you can read that nice little link right off the frontpage saying Ichiro is not even the same calibre of player as Sisler. Yeah he took longer to break the record, but the pitching he faced is far superior to Sisler's era. Some are already asking for an asterisk. What a joke.
NOBODY has come close to Sisler's record for 84 years, the fact Ichiro broke it is monumental.


Well if he needs an asterisk, what do they do with Bonds?
The guy is so juiced up it's pathetic...

[felix]

what is asterisk and bonds?

[The_One]

what is asterisk and bonds?

73 dingers :cheesygri

[sfu_lifer]

73 dingers :cheesygri
Don't forget the 'roids asterisk ;)

[jeanluc]

holy cow...can't believe they're talking about asterisk. give the guy credit! way to go ichiro, congrats!!! :razz:

[rdtx2002]

and the guy hit .255 in April too..

[jalaram]

I don't have an Insider acct, so I don't know what he said. However, IMHO, the topic of an asterisk has more to do with the # of games than it does racism or nationalism.

Remember, the one record that had an asterisk for the longest time was Maris's 61 home runs. He was a Yankee and yet he was criticized (both during and after) the season for breaking Babe Ruth's record. The writers of the time and the commissioner all argued that he did it during a longer season. My opinion is that the asterisk was added because 1) # of games, 2) he wasn't Mickey Mantle who everyone wanted to break it and 3) he dare break a record of Babe Ruth's.

I don't recall seeing any criticism of Ichiro during his run. Most articles I read were rooting for him to do it because it showed that you can be a great player in baseball by just hitting singles. Like this article. (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=caple_jim&id=1893278)

But then, it's easier to accuse all Americans of racism.

[Montague]

Remember, the one record that had an asterisk for the longest time was Maris's 61 home runs. He was a Yankee and yet he was criticized (both during and after) the season for breaking Babe Ruth's record. The writers of the time and the commissioner all argued that he did it during a longer season. My opinion is that the asterisk was added because 1) # of games, 2) he wasn't Mickey Mantle who everyone wanted to break it and 3) he dare break a record of Babe Ruth's
Most of that could have be dismissed if Maris followed that up with a season even close to that 61 HR mark.

Yet he never seriously made a run for that record again or before 1961 for the matter.

In Ichiro case it is not just a case of a person having a career year.

Look at his rookie year 240 plus hits

Maris as good as he was NEVER hit over 40 hr other than in that record breaking year.

[Philip_69]

In the class of 2001, only Albert Pujols is somewhat equally impressive.
4 years in a row, Ichiro has 200+ hits seasons, how crazy that is, consider that he played hurt last year.

[gman]

Finish the season with 262 hits.

[Degenerate]

Ichiro would've given Pete Rose's all time hits record a run for it if he started his career earlier in the Majors.

[Topher]

Most of that could have be dismissed if Maris followed that up with a season even close to that 61 HR mark.

Yet he never seriously made a run for that record again or before 1961 for the matter.

In Ichiro case it is not just a case of a person having a career year.

Look at his rookie year 240 plus hits

Maris as good as he was NEVER hit over 40 hr other than in that record breaking year.

And Bonds never hit more than 49 homers except for one year. While he is a great batter, he is a liability in the outfield.

[Montague]

And Bonds never hit more than 49 homers except for one year. While he is a great batter, he is a liability in the outfield.
True.

Then again how many times did Maris hit even over thirty hr in a season including that record year?

THREE.

How many times has bonds hit over 30 hr in a year?

fourteen SO FAR

How many times has bonds hit over 40 hr in a year?

eight SO FAR.

Granted Maris did it WITHOUT the benefit of certain performance enhancing stimulants.

Course Bonds DID NOT have the benefit of having Mickey Mantle among others as teamates.

You are also forgetting that Bonds gets walked so much.

No way would they walk him as much if a player like Mantle was batting next.

That IS the reason why he has not hit more than 50 hr since that record year.

[gman]

And Bonds never hit more than 49 homers except for one year. While he is a great batter, he is a liability in the outfield.

Come on, he may not be the best OF. He is at least above average. He did not make many error and his # of error and fielding percentage is better than other OF sluggers such as Guerrero, Ramirez, Sheffield and Dunn. Also, not far behind Edmond.