Ichiro Ties American League Record for Consecutive 200-Hit Seasons

The summer of records keeps plowing right along. This certainly isn't as jaw-dropping as Barry Bonds' new home run mark or Roger Clemens' 350 games won, ( or is it?) but just a bit ago, Ichiro Suzuki homered off Clemens -- oddly enough -- giving him 200 hits on the season.

That ties Suzuki with Wade Boggs for the American League record of consecutive 200-hit seasons with seven. The current major league mark is eight seasons, held by Willie Keeler (1894-01). So yes, Ichiro sits on the verge of owning a record over 100 years old.

Some scoffed at the notion of Ichiro singing a contract that's going to net him $90 million over five years, (although, a good chunk of it will be deferred) but when you look at what the guy has achieved in his first seven MLB seasons, it doesn't seem all that crazy.

Sure, at 34 next season he's not getting any younger. But he's still plugging right along and has put himself into elite company here, so why not?

Previously at FanHouse:
The Mariners Will Be Paying Ichiro For A While
Will Ichiro's New Contract Ruin Baseball?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-03-2007 @ 6:01PM

George B Vieto said...

Ichiro is just an amazing baseball player.

9-03-2007 @ 6:39PM

Miss Beth said...

Amen to that! I was there the night he broke the Roger Maris hit record. He NEVER ceases to amaze me with his great work ethic. Way to go Ichiro!!!

9-03-2007 @ 6:49PM

recashflow said...

Punch and Judy yes! Amazing no!!!

9-03-2007 @ 6:59PM

David Wilson said...

Makes you wonder what he could have done if he started in MLB when he was 20? All time hits leader maybe?

9-03-2007 @ 7:02PM

JAB said...

Hmm,..did you mean the single-season hit record of George Sisler surpassed by Ichiro? I think he probably had as many hits as Roger Maris' entire career in his first three season! : )

9-03-2007 @ 11:22PM

Jorge said...

He has the best bat control that I've seen since Rod Carew. He's amazing. My guess is that he will be the first Japanese player in the HOF when he retires.

10-16-2007 @ 1:11AM

Vincent said...

My fight with MLB is they don't recruit enough Black players. Sure, They have some great players in MLB, but the pool is tainted and has been for years!!! Not taking away from anyone else but I don't watch Baseball or most other sports for that matter because I don't see enough Blacks in those sports... And, I know there is a pool of Black talent out there that can play just a hard and consistent as any other player out there today. Also, Baseball is not an attractive option to young Blacks. There isn't enough done to encourage them to look at Baseball as an option either. When I was young, we played baseball in the streets. I don't see that anymore... To answer the next question; I also don't watch Basketball. The Black Men in the NBA do not represent my interpretation of a "role model" for young Black Men, case closed! Sports today are not what they should be. Not because of the low number or Blacks in some sports but the quality of all the players is different.
Now, BLAST AWAY!!! GOD Bless you, (to those that it applies...)

9-04-2007 @ 6:54PM

claytor said...

Lmao, im not going to blast.
Im going to ask...
...WTF does the blacks in baseball comment have to do with Ichiro? At all?

And black people wonder why everyone looks at you in a childish light. Give this man his due, The greatest REAL hr champ in the HISTORY of baseball is asian. If Ichiro had played his entire career here, instead of the first nine in Japan, hed SHATTER Roses mark.

Shatter.

That being said, please direct any and all crybaby black people plights in completely unrelated blogs comments to your nearest reverse racist forum, thanks.

9-04-2007 @ 7:07PM

Stinge said...

Ichyballs is one helluva player. Not everyone has to hit the ball over the fence to contribute to the TEAM. He is a catalyst that can get it done on offense, as well as defense. Plus we share the same birthday. October 22.

9-04-2007 @ 7:38PM

IchiroFan said...

if you go to PAYtheFAN.com you will see how TErry Bradshaw has contributed to Fantasy Sports!
$1,000,000

10-16-2007 @ 2:18AM

What's the matter Shatter, the truth hurts? Sounds like that statement made in my last post got you kinda upset? But, I answered the initial blog exactly. It speaks of another record broken in the AMERICAN league. I wrote why I don't acknowledge any of those records. Yes, I have an opinion too. Respect it as I respect yours. I didn't diss Ichiro. I said and know there are a lot of great players now and in the past in this league. Butt, also a lot that weren't/aren't afforded the opportunity to play for some reason or another. So, I stand by what I said; you can call it what you want...

10-16-2007 @ 9:57AM

Also Claytor/Shatter; You mentioned to give Ichiro his due by being the greatest hr champ? He is a great hitter but, he isn't the hr champ. What's your next guess or question? Is it Barry Bonds? Nope, him either... LOL! Whats your next guess? Henry "Hank Aaron?" Nope, him either! LMAO!!! Look up Josh Gibson for the REAL HR King!!! MLB gives him possibly 800 but if they had been counting from the start, it's more like 1,000 HR's! But, again, that's "undocumented" by MLB cause they weren't counting the Negro Leagues. But, Ichy is a great player! I called you Shatter cause you spoke of how Roses record would be shattered if... Well, we can all tell stories of "if" this and that now can't we??? Hey, I've got a few "if's," if you want to hear them???