Ichiro Suzuki fashioned 10 straight 200 hit campaigns to start his career (2001 – 2010), tying Pete Rose for the most 200 Hit seasons ALL-Time, and setting the most consecutive years with the feat. He may only be a .270 – .280 hitter now as a 4th OF, but he still plays decent defense, and makes nice contact. Suzuki is about a full season of AB’s away from setting the professional hits record. He is a Free Agent after this year, and at 40, he may have a few campaigns left to offer a club.  His 2841 Career Hits come during what will end in 2014, as his 14th year only in the MLB.

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He is not receiving the kind of fanfare that Derek Jeter is this year, (although maybe he would if he was retiring too and had announced it), by Ichiro Suzuki has put forth a decent year in 2014.

His .284/.323/.338 Slash Line is not something to write home about, but he is a nice 3A Outfielder on a club that has seen its fair share of injuries.

Heading into the last 4 games of the year, the 10 time 200 hit man, has 99 hits on the season, thus giving him 2841 Hits in his MLB Lifetime.

After Derek Jeter retires this year. Ichiro will be 2nd in active total hits to Alex Rodriguez.

A-Rod comes back to the MLB next year, and with Jeter retiring, he will take over as the active Hits leader with 2939. Suzuki will be 2nd. Will they still be teammates? Certainly you have to figure Rodriguez can clamp down for 61 Hits next year. He is also just 6 HRs behind Willie Mays for 4th on the ALL – Time HR list, Are the fans going to cheer any achievement going forward?  Suzuki could potentially join the 3000 Hit club too, if he can garner a full season of AB.  It may take going to a non-contender to accomplish this though.

With just 159 base knocks to reach the 3K plateau, you have to think the man will reach that quest.

It may take him another 2 campaigns to accomplish if he is a part-time player, or perhaps a non-contending team could give him a starting position on their team.

If Suzuki can have 550 AB in a year, I am sure he would approach about 150 hits (goes for about a .273 BA).

All time Active Hits Leaders

There are certain fringe playoff teams I think he could help right now.  You can’t honestly tell me that Seattle, Kansas City, or even Oakland couldn’t benefit from this guy creating contact.

Heck, I would take Suzuki in the Atlanta Braves OF over B.J. Upton any day.  Come to think about it, that is an ideal landing spot for him.

Ichiro can cover a lot of ground on defense, and he still helps in the speed department, having racked up 15 SB on 348 official AB this season.

Active Batting Average Leaders

More importantly than even the 3K hits, is that when you combine his NPBL Hits (1278) and his MLB Hits (2841) that equals 4119 total base cracks.

There are only 2 men who have ever to have more knocks than that:  ALL-Time Hit leader Pete Rose at (4256) and Ty Cobb at 4191.

Suzuki is 72 base swats away from Cobb – and is just 138 base hits away from Hit #4257.

Whether Ichiro plays full or part time during 2015, he has a great chance to pass Cobb, with needing in the 70 hits range or so.

National League teams may also have sign him to be a pinch hitter.  Suzuki is striking out on a more frequent basis than ever, but he still doesn’t hurt you in that regard.

Suzuki is still 3rd on the ALL-Time Active Batting List behind Miguel Cabrera (.320) and Joe Mauer (.319).

Albert Pujols is hanging out near the .317 clip like he is right now, but Suzuki has him in the BA race of 2014, (.284 – .273).

Depending on what lineup he fits in, I still believe Ichiro can be a decent #2 hitter on a lineup.  His plate coverage is still good to advance runners, and he is quick enough to beat out Infield hits.

If you are watching Suzuki while he is playing, you may grow tired doing so.  The man is constantly stretching, flexing and keeping his muscles lose.

With a need for his type of arsenal, he may be able to play another 2 – 3 years.  Beyond next year, I think a National League Pinch hitter role would suit him beautifully.

I only hope that when Suzuki does hang up his cleats, that the fans all realize what a unique and talented player he was.

You also have to figure it would be worth the price of admission alone, to see the backlash coming out of Pete Rose’s camp, when he is asked about Suzuki breaking his professional hits record if he can do it.

Rose has been fond of discrediting Suzuki Japan numbers, citing that if they count those hits, than his Minor League base knocks should also be on the board still.

He was a 17 time All-Star at 5 different positions, an MVP in 1973. He won the Batting Title 3 times, the ROY award, 2 Golden Gloves, and Silver Slugger awards. To top it all off, he won a World Series title 3 times.  It seemed like he could do everything baseball needed. With 4256 Career Hits, Rose will is still serving a lifetime ban for “betting on baseball”, and has been adamant that he doesn’t consider Suzuki’s Japan League Hits to count towards his professional total.  If Ichiro can reach 2979 MLB hits, added with his 1278 NPBL knocks, he would be the new leader ALL – Time at 4257 professional Hits.

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