Suzuki, Ichiro, << suh zoo kee, ee chee roh >> (1973-…), a Japanese baseball player, became a star playing for the Seattle Mariners of the American League. In 2001, he became the first Japanese player other than a pitcher to play major league baseball in the United States. Ichiro, as he is widely called, had at least 200 hits in 10 straight seasons (2001-2010), a major league record. Ichiro’s ten 200-hit seasons also tie him with Pete Rose for the most seasons with at least 200 hits. In 2004, he set a new single-season record for hits with 262, breaking the record of 257 set by George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns in 1920. In 2016, Ichiro became the 30th player in major league history to get 3,000 career hits.
Ichiro was named the American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in 2001. Only Fred Lynn of the Boston Red Sox had won both honors in the same season (1975). In 2001, Ichiro led the league in batting with a .350 average. He led the major leagues in stolen bases with 56 and set a record for hits by a rookie with 242. He led the American League in batting again in 2004 with a .372 average. Ichiro, a right fielder, won praise for his speed in the outfield and his strong throwing arm. He won an American League Gold Glove award for outfielders each season from 2001 through 2010. His 10 awards tied an American League record. In 2006, he led the American League with 224 hits. In 2007, Ichiro led the major leagues in hits with 238 and finished second in batting in the American League with a .351 average. He tied for the American League lead in hits in 2008 with 213 and led the league in 2009 with 225 hits.
Ichiro was born in Kasugai, Japan, on Oct. 22, 1973. Before playing in the United States, he was a star in Japanese baseball. As a member of the Orix Blue Wave, Ichiro led Japan’s Pacific League in batting for a record seven consecutive seasons. He won seven Gold Glove awards and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player three times. After joining the Mariners, he became a national hero in Japan. Seattle traded Ichiro to the New York Yankees during the 2012 season. Ichiro joined the Miami Marlins in 2015. In 2018, he played briefly for Seattle again before taking a leave of absence. He officially retired during Seattle’s opening series played in Japan in March 2019.
See also Seattle Mariners.
