|
Current Issue
|
|
Archive Issues
|
|
Extra
|
|
|
Volume 13, Issue #2. Published on Decmber 8, 2004
|
|
|
|
Photo MLB
|
|
Ichiro Suzuki breaks 84 year baseball record.
|
|
Ichiro, the Hero
|
|
|
Dan Khaul
Asian Pacific Review
|
|
|
|
We all know that records are meant to be broken. For Seattle Mariners baseball player Ichiro Suzuki, that day happened this past October.
He broke the 84-year record for the most single hits in a single season. The record stood strong since 1920, set by George Sisler’s single-season record of 257 hits.
On October 1, Suzuki tied the record in the first inning against the Texas Rangers. In the third inning, he reached the 258th by hitting a line drive down the middle.
Suzuki walked to George Sisler’s 81-year-old daughter, who attended the game specifically to see the historic moment, and shook her hand.
There was pandemonium as the crowd gave a standing ovation while Ichiro waved at them. “With me getting this record, I hope kids out there want to get to know their body and what it can do and how to use their talents,” said Suzuki.
On Nov. 5, the Major League Baseball announced that Suzuki as the American League’s Outstanding Player of 2004 at the annual Players Choice Awards. He ended the 2004 season with a grand total of 262 hits and a mark in the baseball record books.
To top off his phenomenal year, Suzuki led the MLB with a .372 hit average and a 702 at bat.
Ichiro managed to be a bit of a thief by ranking second place for the season with 36 stolen-bases. He also gets on base frequently and was a first base lead-off runner. Earning him second place in the American League with .414 On-Base-Percentage (OBP).
Out of 262 hits this season, 222 of his hits were singles, another record in the MLB. He had a great offence and defense this year, earning him his fourth consecutive Gold Glove as a right outfielder.
In 2001 he was the only rookie player in MLB to ever end the season with more than 200 hits, with a record 242.
Additionally he won three awards that season: Rookie of the Year, the American League Most Valuable Player, and a Gold Glove for playing right field.
From 2001 to 2004, his defensive style won four straight Gold Glove Awards as an outfielder.
The amazing thing about Suzuki is the way he plays the game. Many major league players are now trying to imitate his style.
For instance, he throws the ball with his right hand and he bats with his left, unlike most players who use the same hand for both.
Suzukie can be described as a hit-and-run player as he seems to start running before the bat even makes contact with the ball.
An advantage for batting with his left is as he swings the bat, his body momentum shifts and his foot steps in the direction of first base.
His great running speed allows him to cover the outfield well and catch most pop fly balls sent his way. Plus, he has a great arm for a right fielder; any opponent trying to test their luck by running the diamond will likely find being called out.
With an array of awards and shattered records under his belt, Suzuki seems a likely candidate for future induction into the Hall of Fame. On average, players wait at least a minimum of six years after their retirement before being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
|
|
|
|
|
