Ichiro Suzuki, by far the most successful and most popular Japanese player in the Major Leagues, is inching closer to a record-setting 2,000 Major League career hits.  With his output in the Mariners win over Detroit ( Aug. 18, 2009), Ichiro needs only 19 more hits to become the first player Major League Baseball’s 133-year history to bat his way to nine consecutive 200-hit seasons.  When he reaches 2,000 career hits, Ichiro will also be the first (and only) to do so in the first nine years of his Major League career.

In yesterday’s game against Detroit, Ichiro added two more hits, including a game-deciding two-run homer in the fifth inning.   This was the Mariners’ 62nd victory of the year, ensuring the team a better season than last year’s pathetic season.  The Mariners notched a 3-1 win over the Tigers in front of 33,194 at Detroit’s Comerica Park.

In Ichiro’s nine-year career in the Japanese Leagues, he acquired 1,278 hits, and holds the Japanese record for most hits in a season with 210.  Japanese League statistics do not count toward Major League totals.

As of the conclusion of the August 18 game against Detroit, Ichiro had 1, 981 hits, with only 19 more needed to reach 2,000.

The consecutive 200-hit record is held by Hall of Fame outfielder “Wee” Willie Keeler (1894-1901).

Links:

Ichiro draws closer to 200 hits: Outfielder’s decisive long ball makes winner of righty Snell–MLB.com, August 18, 2009