Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki today salvaged an otherwise dismal 2010 by tying a Major League Baseball (MLB) record with 10 200-hit seasons. The other record holder is an unrepentant gambler named Pete Edward Rose.
How significant is this record? Consider that over Ichiro is 10-for-10 in accruing a minimum 200 hits per year. Also, consider that Rose -- MLB's most prolific hitter (4,256 hits over 24 seasons) -- enjoyed two streaks of three 200-hit seasons that spanned from 1968-1970 and 1975-1977.
Damned Yankee Derek Jeter, who will amass Hit 3K next season and could overtake Rose as the all-time leader, enjoyed seven 200-hit seasons from 1995 to 2010. Jeter scratched out two three-consecutive seasons in which he compiled a minimum 200 hits (1998-2000, 2005-2007). Want more numerical perspective? Hall of Famer (HOFer) Henry Aaron, currently ranked third amongst MLB all-time hits leaders, compiled only two 200-hit seasons in his 23-year career. "Mr. Padre", aka HOFer Tony Gwynn and Captain Video, accrued 3,141 hits in a career that included five 200-hit seasons. HOFer Wade Boggs, a classic lead-off hitter, put together a streak of seven 200-hit seasons (1983-1989), made it to 3,000 with 10 to spare. "Captain" Carl Yastrzemski, Red Sox HOFer ranked eighth in the MLB hit parade, never amassed 200 hits during his 23-year career.
Meanwhile, Ichiro's next 200-hit season will establish a new MLB mark.
Seattle fans this season had little to celebrate this year. Full of foolish and misguided optimism, the Mariners began 2010 with Great Expectations of the American League (AL) West pennant and post-season competition. In June the proverbial wheels had fallen off the cart and we began hearing refrains of Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September's Over." By Labor Day we find ourselves dreading another 100-loss year. Ichiro indicated this summer that he's "depressed". We're supposed the Mariners organization isn't stocking the clubhouse candy machines with Prozac and Wellbutrin.
Word in the organization is that Ichiro does not imbibe -- and that his temperance tendencies fueled a chilly relationship with former Mariners reliever and hooch hound Kazuhiro Sasaki. But don't let Ichiro's disinclination to drink stop you from celebrating with a cocktail.
Seattle Saketini
- 2½ oz. vodka
- ½ oz. sake
- Cucumber curl
Pour vodka and sake into ice-filled shaker.
Shake.
Strain liquids into cocktail glass.
Garnish with cucumber curl.
We wonder -- and worry -- how much longer Ichiro will stay in Seattle. Ichiro's contract ostensibly keeps him in Seattle through 2012... or roughly career hit number 2,600. Ichiro reported consulted his Shiba Inu Ikkyu before agreeing to a contract extension in 2007. Providing his counsel, Ikkyu reportedly advised, "Ruff, ruff, ruff." Ichiro translated the guidance as "sign, sign, sign."
If Ikkyu could advise Ichiro to hold off on swinging at the first pitch...
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