Wednesday, September 17, 2008 — On Tuesday night, the hapless Mariners lost again, to the Kansas City Royals, 6-3.
There’s been little point in following the Mariners’ season for some time, except to see if Ichiro Suzuki can get to 200 hits, and thus tie a Major League record for most consecutive 200-hit seasons by a player. Currently he is tied with Wade Boggs, who did it seven years in a row.
The leader of the pack is Willie Keeler, who did it from 1894-1901, or eight seasons in a row.
Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox got to 200 hits a few days ago, the first time in this young player’s career that he’s done so. He also owns the American League batting average title so far.
Indeed, when it comes to batting average, Ichiro isn’t even in the top five this year.
And while he’s been hitting steadily during the latter half of the season, his hits have rarely won games for the Marinerse, or come at opportune times. (Contrast that to Dustin Pedroia, who hits for power and has 79 RBI, compared with Ichiro’s 40.)
Nevertheless, Ichiro’s feat, which he will undoubtedly accomplish in another game or so, is worthy of celebration. But unless the Mariners get better pitching..and better hitting, next year, Ichiro will never get what every baseball player wants… a World Series ring.
