Ichiro Suzuki made history with the Miami Marlins in Major League Baseball action on Sunday as he brought up his 3,000th hit with a triple in his side’s10-7 win over the Colorado Rockies.
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Koji Okumura, who played with Ichiro at Orix BlueWaves, said he remembered Ichiro saying he was satisfied with only about five of the 210 hits he recorded in 1994. I’m guessing most of you will be happy to see him go away (although this ESPN poll has readers voting in favor of A-Rod as deserving to be in the Hall of Fame).
Nolan Arenado homered twice and drove in five runs for Colorado.
The Angels made the move a day after Lincecum allowed six runs in the first inning of a 6-4 loss Friday in Seattle, Lincecum’s hometown.
“My first three at-bats [my body felt so heavy], but after that hit a burden was lifted”, Suzuki told reporters.
His journey to achieving this significant landmark began on Saturday in a game against the Rockies where he beat out an infield single for a record 2,999 hits. Suzuki reached third base standing up and was hugged by third base coachLorenzo Bundy before his teammates came out of the dugout to greet him. He waved his helmet to acknowledge the cheers at Coors Field.
ORIOLES 10, WHITE SOX 2: In Chicago, Baltimore’s Manny Machado became the second player in major league history to homer in the first, second and third innings, driving in a career-high seven runs in a victory over Chicago. “That’s what you’re supposed to do”. “That’s what you’re supposed to do: show him his respect, show him that we respect his milestone”.
“He’s just continuing to roast me right now but it’s all in good fun”, Bour said with a smile. “I was fortunate to have both the pleasure of competing against him and the honor of playing alongside him”.
Clayton Kershaw resumed baseball activities on Sunday with a game of catch as he continued his attempt to return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season. Ichiro’s legacy in the game of baseball is unrivaled by his contemporaries, he comes from a mold of player that simply does not exist anymore. “If there was ever a game where you needed just one hit, this is the guy you would send up to do it”.
Hamilton was 3-for-4 with a walk before his day ended when he finally was caught stealing in the ninth inning.
The left-handed hitter breathed new life into the major leagues, which have always valued long balls.
Ichiro made his Major League Baseball debut with the Seattle Mariners and went on to became only the second player to win Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in the same season.
Making his first start since July 29, Suzuki struck out on his first at-bat and grounded out on the next two.
“For the last couple of weeks there have been a lot of members of the media following me”, Suzuki said. He’s not almost the player he was in St. Louis, but as he’s under contract to the Angels for five more years (yikes!) after 2016, he’ll certainly get to 3,000 and probably beyond. “It took a longer time than I thought it should have”.
At 42 years, 290 days he is the second-oldest player by three days over Ricky Henderson to reach the milestone.
For somebody who never has won a batting title, and has reached exactly 200 hits only one time in 19 seasons, Beltre could get to 3,000 at age 38 due to remarkable consistency, and improvement with age. “There are still very few”, Suzuki said. He has 2,878 career hits now and he’ll likely get another 50 hits before the season is over. We’re not there yet. While this may not be an official record, he may just break the Major League Baseball record as he has stated in the past that he plans to play 8 more years or until he reaches the age of 50. “Hopefully this 3,000th hit will bring that bridge closer”.
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Rene Lachemann, Colorado’s catching coach, went over to give Suzuki a hug as he left the field after the game. Mattingly said X-rays showed no break.
