Ichiro was 27 when he made his debut with the Mariners in 2001, changing into the primary Japanese place participant, versus a pitcher, to play in the USA main leagues.
He gained each American League Most Beneficial Participant and Rookie of the Yr honors that 12 months, happening to earn 10 All-Star nods, 10 Gold Glove awards and three Silver Slugger Awards.
He completed his profession with 3,089 hits in MLB – on prime of 1,278 he piled up in 9 years in Japan.
His 4,367 hits as knowledgeable are probably the most of any participant in baseball historical past, surpassing MLB’s all-time chief Pete Rose (4,256).
He amassed two batting titles, 1,420 runs and 509 stolen bases in additional than 19 Main League seasons whereas increasing the horizons for Japanese gamers aiming to make the transfer Stateside when some nonetheless doubted that their abilities would translate to MLB.
In 2004, Ichiro gained his second batting title and broke George Sisler’s 84-year-old document with 262 hits – a part of a stretch of 10 straight seasons with not less than 200 hits.
