Ichiro Suzuki will attempt to make a return to the big leagues in 2019 with the Seattle Mariners. The two parties agreed to a minor league deal, Wednesday, that would pay Ichiro $750,000 if he makes the MLB roster this season.
In his original return to Seattle, last season, Ichiro hit .205/.255/.205 in 47 plate appearances. Those were his first at-bats for the Mariners after parting ways with the team four and a half years ago.
Ichiro Suzuki has had a very distinguished career. He will undoubtedly make the Hall of Fame upon his first appearance on the ballot.
From 2001 to 2010, Ichiro was one of the best, most recognized players in baseball. He won the MVP and Rookie of the Year award in his first season, made 10 consecutive All-Star games, won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves, three Silver Slugger awards and led the league in hits seven times and batting twice, with averages of .350 and .372.
He had 200 plus hits in each of those 10 seasons, with a high of 262. His average was over .300 every year during that span as well, eclipsing the .350 mark four times. He even stole 30 plus bases nine times, leading the league with 56 in his rookie season.
Over his career, Ichiro has collected 3089 hits, 117 home runs, 780 RBI, 509 stolen bases and a .311 average. Throughout his 18 seasons, he’s played a full 162 games four times, at least 143 twelve other times and he’s never struck out more than 86 times in a single season. In 2651 games he’s only struck out 1079 times.
As age has hit him, Ichiro’s overall performance has declined. He’s still had some decent seasons since 2012, but nothing like his first 10. Heading into this season Ichiro is 45 years old. No one is expecting him to be the same player he once was in 2019, not even the Mariners. This is ultimately a final farewell opportunity for Ichiro, the Mariners organization and the fans.
Featured Image by Elaine Thompson of the Associated Press
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