In those 140 years, only 30 players have amassed 3,000 career hits. It was only fitting he flashed both in his historic moment.
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Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki became the 30th member of Major League Baseball’s elite 3,000-hit club after blasting a triple in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies. Ichiro Suzuki stayed glued at 2,999 hits after he struck-out and grounded out in the first and third innings.
“I wanted to see him get it done but I wish we were winning by a lot and it was looper or something”, Arenado said.
On Sunday, Ichiro was hitless the first three times he came to bat, before hitting his triple in the seventh. Ichiro’s long fly ball bounced off the wall in right and toward the infield, and Ichiro easily reached third base, where his Marlins teammates – emptying out of the nearby visitors’ dugout – mobbed him. Everything he does is a tribute to the game of baseball. “I’ve just been more fortunate those other times”.
At 42 years, 290 days he is the second-oldest player by three days over Ricky Henderson to reach the milestone. “Just 2,000 hits would have been an outstanding achievement”, Piniella said. Suzuki said the burden was lifted with his 3,000th hit, but he got emotional when told that fans at Safeco Field stuck around following the Mariners’ home game to watch Suzuki attempt to get his milestone hit.
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. Suzuki led the majors in hits seven times, including five consecutive seasons from 2006-10. There are still very few. The journey of the Japanese player to that milestone has been extraordinary.
Rene Lachemann, Colorado’s catching coach, went over to give Suzuki a hug as he left the field after the game. Christian Yelich, Martin Prado and Jeff Mathis all had three-hit games. Rockies INF Rafael Ynoa was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. One reason could be because the rest of the league is playing down to their level. When his Japan and Major League Baseball years are combined, Suzuki has earned 17 consecutive Gold Gloves and has been named to 17 straight All-Star Games. Marlins RHP Nefi Ogando was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans and LHP Hunter Cervenka was added to the roster after being acquired Saturday from Atlanta He made his Marlins debut and pitched a scoreless sixth.
The Marlins have to like their chances to win Monday’s opener as All-Star right-hander Jose Fernandez takes the mound in a stadium where he rarely loses. Wilhelmsen, who had a career-high 29 saves for the Mariners in 2012, has a 2.19 ERA in 12 1/3 innings since returning to Seattle on June 23, after he had a 7.49 ERA in 33 2/3 innings with the Texas Rangers.
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One of the most prolific hitters and polarizing figures in baseball history, the slumping slugger plans to take his final turn at-bat with the New York Yankees on Friday night and then become a special adviser and instructor with the team next year.
