The hit streak continues... join the parade and celebrate with a Saketini

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...

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day from your planet-loving friends at the Dog Denizens of Genesee Park (DDGP!)

Americans first celebrated Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Forty years ago, the inaugural Earth Day highlighted a grassroots movement to spotlight environmental issues involving land, air and water pollution. ("Pollution"... there's a term you probably haven't heard since the demise of the Ford Pinto.) In November 1969, the New York Times observed: "Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation's campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam."

An American day of observance and national service was born.

We could wax ad nauseam about just wanting to celebrate Earth Day. While the world pays homage Mother Earth, we will take this opportunity to give our props to the 1970s rock band Rare Earth.

Motown signed Rare Earth in 1969. A fusion of rock, funk and blue-eyed soul, Rare Earth scored Top-40 hits by covering the Temptations' classics "(I Know) I'm Losing You" and "Get Ready."

Rare Earth recorded "I Just Want to Celebrate", which soared to #7 on the Billboard Top-100 chart in 1971. The Ford Motor Co. and AT&T purchased the rites of the song to peddle cars and telecommunications. Peter Krause lip synced the chorus during the series finale of Six Feet Under.

The group returned to the Billboard charts in 1971 when "Hey, Big Brother" peaked at #19. Three year later, Rare Earth served as the opening act of the California Jam festival in Ontario, CA. More than 200,000 fans attended an eclectic program that included: Earth Wind and Fire; the Eagles; Black Sabbath; Deep Purple; Emerson, Lake and Palmer; and Seals and Crofts.

In 2005, Rare Earth was inducted into the Michigan Rock 'n Roll Legends, an online musical Hall of Fame. Lest you sneer, consider that the initial inductee class included: Stevie Wonder; Aretha Franklin; Smokey Robinson; Marvin Gaye; Temptations; Four Tops; Supremes; Jackie Wilson; Martha and the Vandellas; Alice Cooper; and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

While the group composition has changed, Rare Earth continues to perform. Maybe they'll come to the Emerald Queen Casino or the Western Washington Fair.

Meanwhile, do something nice for the planet and the the Genesee off-leash park: Pick up after your dog. And celebrate another day of living.