Ichiro the best player in Baseball the last 10 years..

[only11]

Ichiro without question has been the best player in baseball in the last 10 years...a buddy of mine who scouts for the yankees says ICHIRO could hit 30 hrs a year if he decided to be that type of hitter..
200 hits every year..hits over 300 every year...absolute cannon for an arm,steals bases...
Ichiro when he retires will be a all time great...

[thaskalos]

Easily the most under-rated baseball "superstar" of the last decade...

[cj's dad]

Ichiro without question has been the best player in baseball in the last 10 years...a buddy of mine who scouts for the yankees says ICHIRO could hit 30 hrs a year if he decided to be that type of hitter..
200 hits every year..hits over 300 every year...absolute cannon for an arm,steals bases...
Ichiro when he retires will be a all time great...

Completely out of your mind !!

[rastajenk]

He's good. Pujols is better. Maybe some others, too, but Albert has been the main studly stud this past decade.

[kingfin66]

I get tired of hearing about how Ichiro could hit 30 homers a year if he tried to. If ever there was a year where the Mariners need him to do that, it is this year. Wade Boggs decided to muscle up for one year during his career to prove he could do it. He proved it. Ichiro has not. Ichiro has good parts and bad parts to his game. He is fast, has a good arm, hits for average, and plays gold glove caliber defense. Negatives: he doesn't walk, is not a great team guy, doesn't steal enough bases given the type of "game" he plays.

It's funny that your friend who scouts for the Yankees chose to overlook a guy who has been an incredible player for the past 10 years and beyond. If anything, I think Ichiro has been overrated for much of his career.

[only11]

Why completely out of my mind...Whta would make anyone think Pujols is not on the new HGH(guerro,beltre,ortiz hmmm)
Hes been the best hitter in baseball in the last decade.

[only11]

I get tired of hearing about how Ichiro could hit 30 homers a year if he tried to. If ever there was a year where the Mariners need him to do that, it is this year. Wade Boggs decided to muscle up for one year during his career to prove he could do it. He proved it. Ichiro has not. Ichiro has good parts and bad parts to his game. He is fast, has a good arm, hits for average, and plays gold glove caliber defense. Negatives: he doesn't walk, is not a great team guy, doesn't steal enough bases given the type of "game" he plays.

It's funny that your friend who scouts for the Yankees chose to overlook a guy who has been an incredible player for the past 10 years and beyond. If anything, I think Ichiro has been overrated for much of his career.
Hmmm is that the same Boggs who hit 300 in FENWAY park?Stop...

[only11]

Completely out of your mind !!
name me a better hitter in the last 10 years...OFF THE JUICE thats been better then ICHIRO...

[kingfin66]

Albert Pujols. What evidence is that there that he has ever been on the juice?

I don't deny that Ichiro is a good player. I have been watching him a lot over these past 10 years. I disagree that he is the best player in baseball over the past 10 years. That was actually the statement in the original post - no the best hitter. Granted, he is a great fielder as well.

Another guy that rakes, and not in a hitters park, is Miguel Cabrera.

Sorry, but in my mind, and most other people's minds, AP is the greatest player in baseball over the the past 10, 20, and maybe much longer years.

[cj's dad]

name me a better hitter in the last 10 years...OFF THE JUICE thats been better then ICHIRO...

2000 - 2009

Ichiro - Avg. Less than 10 HR's per year :sleeping:
Avg. 58 RBI per year :sleeping:
BA - .332 :ThmbUp:

Alex Rodriguez - Avg. 47 Hr per year :ThmbUp:
Avg. 135 RBI per year :ThmbUp:
BA - .301 :ThmbUp:

[PhantomOnTour]

2000 - 2009

Ichiro - Avg. Less than 10 HR's per year :sleeping:
Avg. 58 RBI per year :sleeping:
BA - .332 :ThmbUp:

Alex Rodriguez - Avg. 47 Hr per year :ThmbUp:
Avg. 135 RBI per year :ThmbUp:
BA - .301 :ThmbUp:
He said 'OFF the juice'.....A Rod does not qualify.

[cj's dad]

He said 'OFF the juice'.....A Rod does not qualify.

I don't follow "Rules" well !

One other comment; Ichiro may well be "underrated". That alone does not make one the "best player in baseball", it simply makes one "underrated".

Besides, these "subjective" arguments never go anywhere because they all involve opinion.

Example: who would have won a 15 round fight wearing 8 oz. gloves in a 12' square ring outdoors in Yankee Stadium in July; Ali or Marciano ?

Hope you see my point !

[PhantomOnTour]

:lol: I don't follow rules either so I'm gonna give Marciano a pocket knife in this fight.... :rolleyes:

[46zilzal]

Recall when he was up against the big unit. hit a hot infield ball and OUTRAN the throw to first base in the all star game. NO ONE is faster to first base.

[OTM Al]

He said 'OFF the juice'.....A Rod does not qualify.

Are you 100% sure Ichiro does, or anyone else for that matter?

Ichiro is a Hall of Famer, though I would take quite a few guys before him

Albert Pujoles
Alex Rodriguez
Joe Mauer
Just to name a few

In key stats, where is Ichiro?
OBP 25th .3776 despite being 1st in BA .3325 - Good but he doesn't take walks, which is pretty weak for a leadoff man. Pujoles leads this with .4264

Slugging %, 96th, so his OPS is 62nd, behind such luminaries as Russell Branyan, Pat "The Bat" Burrell and Mexican League team owner Matt Stairs.

You would think with his speed he'd lead active players in triples. Nope, 8th well behind Carl Crawford. And only 71st in doubles. He's 6th among active players in SBs, so for the most part his awsome speed is to get to first on slap hits and maybe steal 2nd. This is bourne out by the fact that he averages about 170 singles a year.

Decent arm as he is 6th in assists as a right fielder, but does trail the much younger Jeff Francour in that one. Does score on the top in range factor though as a right fielder and has the higest fielding percentage.

So I would say again, extremely good player, but not the best with the major flaw of not being willing to take walks and thus take greater advantage of his speed.

[only11]

Are you 100% sure Ichiro does, or anyone else for that matter?

Ichiro is a Hall of Famer, though I would take quite a few guys before him

Albert Pujoles
Alex Rodriguez
Joe Mauer
Just to name a few

In key stats, where is Ichiro?
OBP 25th .3776 despite being 1st in BA .3325 - Good but he doesn't take walks, which is pretty weak for a leadoff man. Pujoles leads this with .4264

Slugging %, 96th, so his OPS is 62nd, behind such luminaries as Russell Branyan, Pat "The Bat" Burrell and Mexican League team owner Matt Stairs.

You would think with his speed he'd lead active players in triples. Nope, 8th well behind Carl Crawford. And only 71st in doubles. He's 6th among active players in SBs, so for the most part his awsome speed is to get to first on slap hits and maybe steal 2nd. This is bourne out by the fact that he averages about 170 singles a year.

Decent arm as he is 6th in assists as a right fielder, but does trail the much younger Jeff Francour in that one. Does score on the top in range factor though as a right fielder and has the higest fielding percentage.

So I would say again, extremely good player, but not the best with the major flaw of not being willing to take walks and thus take greater advantage of his speed.
Maur and Arod dont steal bases.

[cj's dad]

Maur and Arod dont steal bases.

Man, that's a weak argument !! :faint:

[OTM Al]

Man, that's a weak argument !! :faint:

Especially since A-Rod is 12th on the active list and needs 4 more to get 300 for his career. We clearly have an expert here that can't be wrong.

[OTM Al]

Recall when he was up against the big unit. hit a hot infield ball and OUTRAN the throw to first base in the all star game. NO ONE is faster to first base.

I'd like to see him race Brett Gardner from the Yanks. Would be pretty close.

[RaceBookJoe]

I might lean towards Ichiro if i was looking for a leadoff hitter, but as far as overall hitter, my choice would be Pujols without question. Here's one though...who would you rather have at leadoff..Ichiro or Rickey Henderson. I would go with RH i think. rbj

[Bettowin]

Jeter is right in the mix. I would rather have had him on my team in the last 10 years than Ichiro. Has the numbers as well as the intangibles.

[GaryG]

RBJ: I would take RH as well for a leadoff hitter. He had a better on base % and he started a lot of games with a HR. A hitter with no power who does not walk will never be as valuable as a slugger who hits .300 with big power numbers. Pujols and A-Rod for me.

[PaceAdvantage]

Are you 100% sure Ichiro does,This was going to be my question as well...Ichiro isn't exactly a waif:

http://mcaaron.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/ichiro2.jpgCheck out his rippling forearms... :lol:

[RaceBookJoe]

Jeter is right in the mix. I would rather have had him on my team in the last 10 years than Ichiro. Has the numbers as well as the intangibles.

Ichiro as a leadoff hitter..Jeter as LEADER !!!

[RaceBookJoe]

RBJ: I would take RH as well for a leadoff hitter. He had a better on base % and he started a lot of games with a HR. A hitter with no power who does not walk will never be as valuable as a slugger who hits .300 with big power numbers. Pujols and A-Rod for me.

Same here...but in the last 10 yrs...Ichiro is a very good choice for leadoff, but he doesnt scare anyone. Like you say, give me Pujols,Arod, even Manny...these are guys you do not want to see coming to bat when the game is on the line if you are a pitcher. rbj

[RaceBookJoe]

This was going to be my question as well...Ichiro isn't exactly a waif:

http://mcaaron.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/ichiro2.jpgCheck out his rippling forearms... :lol:

Its the P90X :)

[only11]

This was going to be my question as well...Ichiro isn't exactly a waif:

http://mcaaron.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/ichiro2.jpgCheck out his rippling forearms... :lol:
Its called kinetic energy..when the player loads its upper half the coiling starts and the energy produce from the lower half shoots up towards his arms and shoulders..same with pitchers..

[only11]

This stuff about being a leadoff hitter is nonsense...
HOW MANY TIMES IN A GAME DO YOU LEADOFF..?

[RaceBookJoe]

This stuff about being a leadoff hitter is nonsense...
HOW MANY TIMES IN A GAME DO YOU LEADOFF..?

You are 100% correct.....give me Pujols !!!

[jballscalls]

referring to PA's post above (yes i actually read this one ;) ) Ichiro has been reported as being about 4 or 5 or some ridiculously low number of body fat percentage. the guy is ripped, M's players always talk about how cut up he was.

As a life long mariner fan, the guy is pretty awesome, always hits, never has a bad year, rarely ever injured, plays a great outfield, just exciting to watch. He has his flaws, and i'd probably take Pujols or Arod over Ichiro, simply because these guys produce more runs, which win ball games, and both play decent defense.

[only11]

referring to PA's post above (yes i actually read this one ;) ) Ichiro has been reported as being about 4 or 5 or some ridiculously low number of body fat percentage. the guy is ripped, M's players always talk about how cut up he was.

As a life long mariner fan, the guy is pretty awesome, always hits, never has a bad year, rarely ever injured, plays a great outfield, just exciting to watch. He has his flaws, and i'd probably take Pujols or Arod over Ichiro, simply because these guys produce more runs, which win ball games, and both play decent defense.
Guess who arod and pujols drive in....Ichiro who got on base with a hit ;)

[OTM Al]

And those batting behind him would have driven him in many more times if he would have taken more walks than trying to get a hit every time.

[only11]

And those batting behind him would have driven him in many more times if he would have taken more walks than trying to get a hit every time.
The greatest leadoff hitter Rickey you couldnt be more selfish..he never swung at a pitch he didnt like..

[OTM Al]

The greatest leadoff hitter Rickey you couldnt be more selfish..he never swung at a pitch he didnt like..

Again the figures don't bear you out. Ichiro has had all of 2 seasons with more than 50 walks, with a career high of 68. Ricky had 7 seasons with more than 100 with a career high of 125. Rickey loved Rickey, but he was also damn good at what he did.

[only11]

Agree but like lee corso would say not sooooo fast,ichiro hits 80 pts higher then rickey can we agree on that?which means hes on base more then rickey>>

[OTM Al]

Uh no....first he hasn't batted 80 pts higher, only 53, but that is only part of being on base. There's also these things called walks. You might know what they are if you've ever seen a game. They factor into this thing called on base percentage. Ricky has a .401 lifetime. Ichiro has a .378 lifetime. So no he doesn't get on base more

[only11]

Uh no....first he hasn't batted 80 pts higher, only 53, but that is only part of being on base. There's also these things called walks. You might know what they are if you've ever seen a game. They factor into this thing called on base percentage. Ricky has a .401 lifetime. Ichiro has a .378 lifetime. So no he doesn't get on base more
I seen a game and i also signed my 1st round signing bonus check of 385,000.That was back in 90!Also take into consideration Rickey played 20+ years,and he was a GOD AWFUL leftfielder...
Ichiro is a much better player...i will take 345 average plus in his prime Rickey didnt face the LEFTY specialist who gets paid millions of dollars to pitch to 1 batter...he played leftfield like Manny,both with the same IQ.

[only11]

Uh no....first he hasn't batted 80 pts higher, only 53, but that is only part of being on base. There's also these things called walks. You might know what they are if you've ever seen a game. They factor into this thing called on base percentage. Ricky has a .401 lifetime. Ichiro has a .378 lifetime. So no he doesn't get on base more
Hey BTW did you ever get to eat @ JUNIOR"S CHEESECAKE?

[The Hawk]

I seen a game and i also signed my 1st round signing bonus check of 385,000.That was back in 90!Also take into consideration Rickey played 20+ years,and he was a GOD AWFUL leftfielder...
Ichiro is a much better player...i will take 345 average plus in his prime Rickey didnt face the LEFTY specialist who gets paid millions of dollars to pitch to 1 batter...he played leftfield like Manny,both with the same IQ.

Hey Only11, that's impressive! What team were you drafted by?

[Bubbles]

Based on the stats, all talks of juice aside, don't you HAVE to say the best hitter of the past 10 years is...gulp...Bonds?

2000: .306/49 HR/106 RBI
2001: .328/73/137
2002: .370/46/110
2003: .341/45/90
2004: .362/45/101

[OTM Al]

Hey BTW did you ever get to eat @ JUNIOR"S CHEESECAKE?

No but I had a beer there once cause I had to take a leak real bad. Having to go upstairs to the bathroom was quite painful. Must say the cheesecakes looked quite good but I resisted the impulse buy.

[kingfin66]

I seen a game and i also signed my 1st round signing bonus check of 385,000.That was back in 90!Also take into consideration Rickey played 20+ years,and he was a GOD AWFUL leftfielder...
Ichiro is a much better player...i will take 345 average plus in his prime Rickey didnt face the LEFTY specialist who gets paid millions of dollars to pitch to 1 batter...he played leftfield like Manny,both with the same IQ.

Chipper Jones was #1 overall and only got $275,000. Otherwise, I thought you could be Carl Everett.

[PaceAdvantage]

Its called kinetic energy..when the player loads its upper half the coiling starts and the energy produce from the lower half shoots up towards his arms and shoulders..same with pitchers..All the kinetic energy in the world isn't going to make my forearm look like Ichiro's....you were saying?

[newtothegame]

Chipper Jones was #1 overall and only got $275,000. Otherwise, I thought you could be Carl Everett.

I really think thats kind of unfair to use chipper as a guage of what those benaeth them may or may not have gotten. For example...based on the above, how did Todd Van Poppel at #14 get a $500,000 signing bonus???

Not sure who he is....although, C Everett is from Tampa... (something to think about). :faint:

[only11]

New york

[only11]

Based on the stats, all talks of juice aside, don't you HAVE to say the best hitter of the past 10 years is...gulp...Bonds?

2000: .306/49 HR/106 RBI
2001: .328/73/137
2002: .370/46/110
2003: .341/45/90
2004: .362/45/101
Bonds is the best player ever to play the game,not mays,nor aaron,nor mantle,if Bonds had gotten pitch too the year he hit 73...he would have hit 90hr..that year he swung and miss only 26 times and that has nothing to do with the juice..

[only11]

All the kinetic energy in the world isn't going to make my forearm look like Ichiro's....you were saying?
If you think Ichiro is on the juice....then Pujols is on the stuff..pujols has muscles where there shouldnt be..

[kingfin66]

I really think thats kind of unfair to use chipper as a guage of what those benaeth them may or may not have gotten. For example...based on the above, how did Todd Van Poppel at #14 get a $500,000 signing bonus???

Not sure who he is....although, C Everett is from Tampa... (something to think about). :faint:

There are always unique cases when it comes to signing bonuses. In Van Poppel's case, he was adamant that he was going to college and never wavered. It may of been the best negotiating ploy, or perhaps he really was intending to go to college, but ultimately he got the money. On the whole, #1 overalls command the big bucks.

[kingfin66]

So you are Carl Everett? How was Ichiro as a teammate?

[OTM Al]

There are always unique cases when it comes to signing bonuses. In Van Poppel's case, he was adamant that he was going to college and never wavered. It may of been the best negotiating ploy, or perhaps he really was intending to go to college, but ultimately he got the money. On the whole, #1 overalls command the big bucks.

Van Poppel would have been the #1 that year but if I remember right he had no interest in playing for the team that would have picked him so he used the ploy of going to college. Oakland, just coming off WS win took a runner at him(though it was likely a well informed one) and he went for it figuring he could get on a very good team plus he was able to get #1 pick type signing money. Unfortunately he was rushed right up too quickly and was pretty much a fizzle though he lingered for a while.

[kingfin66]

I really think thats kind of unfair to use chipper as a guage of what those benaeth them may or may not have gotten. For example...based on the above, how did Todd Van Poppel at #14 get a $500,000 signing bonus???

Not sure who he is....although, C Everett is from Tampa... (something to think about). :faint:

A site I found did refer to Chipper only getting $275,000 to sign, so I believe only11 when he says he got $385,000. It's very plausible, but pales in comparison to later contracts he signed. :)

[kingfin66]

Van Poppel would have been the #1 that year but if I remember right he had no interest in playing for the team that would have picked him so he used the ploy of going to college. Oakland, just coming off WS win took a runner at him(though it was likely a well informed one) and he went for it figuring he could get on a very good team plus he was able to get #1 pick type signing money. Unfortunately he was rushed right up too quickly and was pretty much a fizzle though he lingered for a while.

Oakland drafted some other pretty good arms around that time; one of them, Don Peters, in the first round. Others were Kirk Dressendorfer and David Zancanaro. I umpired these guys in the minor leagues. Great pitchers, but fizzled due to injuries.

[only11]

A site I found did refer to Chipper only getting $275,000 to sign, so I believe only11 when he says he got $385,000. It's very plausible, but pales in comparison to later contracts he signed. :)
How much did Mike Mussina signed for and Alex Fernandez?

[only11]

David Ortiz first played for the mariners under the name David Arias God only knows how old he is!!!

[Dahoss9698]

Unless Carl Everett is posting on PA during his games with the Newark Bears, something seems fishy here.

[only11]

Unless Carl Everett is posting on PA during his games with the Newark Bears, something seems fishy here.
Dahoss getting yourself ready for the showdown,,,July 17?...Im the morning line favorite @ 2/5...
No im not Carl Evertt i was a pitcher who played with David Fleming and Allen Watson

[Dahoss9698]

I used to play hoops with the Harlem Globetrotters. I had a signing bonus of eleventy billion pesos.

[newtothegame]

Dahoss getting yourself ready for the showdown,,,July 17?...Im the morning line favorite @ 2/5...
No im not Carl Evertt i was a pitcher who played with David Fleming and Allen Watson

Why all the secrecy...if you don't want to say, just say "I do not wish to say".
Otherwise you will continue to field "guesses" from most.
Personally, I think its cool....but one way or the other doesnt matter to me who you are just as I am sure you could care less who I am.....

I mean no disrespect by that...but just saying for all I know, you might be santa on the computer from the north pole....:)

[OTM Al]

Unless Carl Everett is posting on PA during his games with the Newark Bears, something seems fishy here.

Especially since neither New York team took a pitcher in 1990 until the 4th round. His claim of New York certainly doesn't apply to Carl Everett being from there as he in fact was from Tampa. Perhaps he means he is from New York, in which case the only possiblity I can see is he is claiming to be Steve Karsay. But I also find that suspicious because he didn't seem to recognize a walk as a way to get on base and from what I remember from Karsay's stint on the Yanks, that's not something that should have slipped his mind.

[cj's dad]

New york

Ummmm - would that be the Mets or the Yankees ??

[Trotman]

I still take in the odd game but just the thought of steroids and other performance enhancers has dulled my love of the game. Back in the day sure they threw a spitter or a scuffed ball, corked up a bat or a little dab of Brillcream but that pales in comparison. Because of repition behind the plate the ump was quick to catch on and toss the culprit.

[PaceAdvantage]

If you think Ichiro is on the juice....I never stated such a thing. I'm simply asking how can you be sure he's NOT on anything?

[only11]

Steve Karsay Christ The KIng..good friend of mine.

[only11]

I used to play hoops with the Harlem Globetrotters. I had a signing bonus of eleventy billion pesos.
Were you the point guard ?-

[OTM Al]

David Ortiz first played for the mariners under the name David Arias God only knows how old he is!!!

What are you talking about? I think you are delusional now, but just to let you know, there has never been a player named David Arias in the majors or minors.

[Dahoss9698]

What are you talking about? I think you are delusional now, but just to let you know, there has never been a player named David Arias in the majors or minors.

I don't doubt the delusional part. But he's sort of right here. When he first got signed to the Mariners they listed him as David Arias because they apparently didn't understand the Spanish naming custom in which people have two surnames. His full name is David Americo Ortiz Arias.

I don't think it was Ortiz trying to decieve anyone. Just seems like the Mariners were sloppy and for some reason Ortiz didn't say anything about it until he got to Minnesota 4 years later.

[OTM Al]

I don't doubt the delusional part. But he's sort of right here. When he first got signed to the Mariners they listed him as David Arias because they apparently didn't understand the Spanish naming custom in which people have two surnames. His full name is David Americo Ortiz Arias.

I don't think it was Ortiz trying to decieve anyone. Just seems like the Mariners were sloppy and for some reason Ortiz didn't say anything about it until he got to Minnesota 4 years later.

That makes some sense I guess, though he said the guy played for the Mariners under that name...who knows maybe he was a player and all the PEDs have warped his brain....

[only11]

That makes some sense I guess, though he said the guy played for the Mariners under that name...who knows maybe he was a player and all the PEDs have warped his brain....
You would be surprise how many are still using the NEW STUFF...by the time MLB gets wind of it too late..
Remember Bo Jackson...hip injury..im guessin he used it back then...i know a professional tennis instructor who i met at Tampa racetrack he mentioned a few names..no surprises..(woman shouldnt be build that way... and ill leave at that)..when i scouted the dominican republic that place was a pharmacy..
awesome stuff..

[OTM Al]

You would be surprise how many are still using the NEW STUFF...by the time MLB gets wind of it too late..
Remember Bo Jackson...hip injury..im guessin he used it back then...i know a professional tennis instructor who i met at Tampa racetrack he mentioned a few names..no surprises..(woman should be build that way and ill leave at that)..when i scouted the dominican republic that place was a pharmacy..
awesome stuff..

Why would I be surprised? I've heard of stuff being used that I've never seen mentioned in a single report. Only idiots use steroids anymore and HGH was yesterday's news last week. There's been "cheating" in baseball as long as there has been baseball, why should anything change?

[newtothegame]

Why would I be surprised? I've heard of stuff being used that I've never seen mentioned in a single report. Only idiots use steroids anymore and HGH was yesterday's news last week. There's been "cheating" in baseball as long as there has been baseball, why should anything change?

I agree that "only idiots" would use steroids....

But, and thats a big but...thats a perspective statement. what i mean by that is its easy for us to say that when there are not millions on the line in contracts.

You hit 30/30 a year your contract is one thing....

You juice hit 40/40 you get a substantial raise...enclding endorsements etc etc.

Everyone knows its there...they just don't want to "know" about it.

McGwire / Sosa in my opinion saved baseball....and no one puts up those numbers (much less two people) in the same year unless something funny is happening!

[Robert Fischer]

a buddy of mine who scouts for the yankees says ICHIRO could hit 30 hrs a year if he decided to be that type of hitter..

YEA, the "type of hitter" who gets a good ball to hit.

Ichiro swings at wayyyy too many pitchers pitches. The fact that he often laces them for singles doesn't make up the difference. If he was more selective he would be able to hit for more power. His walks would be up, he would be on base more, he would score more runs. There is no reason for a guy to hit .350 and have an OnBase% of .380. What the hell is that, 35 walks??

He's a master at what he does. A joy to watch for all his brilliance, but his flawed basic approach keeps from truly being an elite offensive producer.

Pujols crushes Ichiro in offense. Manny... and many others...

Halladay had a better decade, but he's "just a pitcher"



"get a good ball to hit"
http://www.hardballtimes.com/images/uploads/williams.png

[kingfin66]

YEA, the "type of hitter" who gets a good ball to hit.

Ichiro swings at wayyyy too many pitchers pitches. The fact that he often laces them for singles doesn't make up the difference. If he was more selective he would be able to hit for more power. His walks would be up, he would be on base more, he would score more runs. There is no reason for a guy to hit .350 and have an OnBase% of .380. What the hell is that, 35 walks??

He's a master at what he does. A joy to watch for all his brilliance, but his flawed basic approach keeps

Ichiro is all about the hits. Seriously, I think that he wants to surpass Pete Rose as the Hit King in professional baseball and get 3000 hits in the Majors. You can't do that drawing walks. Ask Barry Bonds. As great as he was, he couldn't get to 3k because of the walks.

[Robert Fischer]

Ichiro is all about the hits. Seriously, I think that he wants to surpass Pete Rose as the Hit King in professional baseball and get 3000 hits in the Majors. You can't do that drawing walks. Ask Barry Bonds. As great as he was, he couldn't get to 3k because of the walks.


what the hell is that?

hits don't win ball games, runs do. (and that's not even accounting for the cumulative affect that being selective has on the pitcher)

[kingfin66]

I agree. This has a lot to do with why Ichiro pissed off so many teammates. In fact, speculation is that Ichiro and his me first attitude had a lot to do with Mike Hargrove's resignation. Ichiro often tries to get a base hit rather than moving runners up, taking walks, trying to hit a sac fly. Indeed, hits do not win games, but that is Ichiro's game.

[Robert Fischer]

I agree. This has a lot to do with why Ichiro pissed off so many teammates. In fact, speculation is that Ichiro and his me first attitude had a lot to do with Mike Hargrove's resignation. Ichiro often tries to get a base hit rather than moving runners up, taking walks, trying to hit a sac fly. Indeed, hits do not win games, but that is Ichiro's game.

:ThmbUp:
i should have read more posts before replying...

[OTM Al]

I agree that "only idiots" would use steroids....

But, and thats a big but...thats a perspective statement. what i mean by that is its easy for us to say that when there are not millions on the line in contracts.

You hit 30/30 a year your contract is one thing....

You juice hit 40/40 you get a substantial raise...enclding endorsements etc etc.

Everyone knows its there...they just don't want to "know" about it.

McGwire / Sosa in my opinion saved baseball....and no one puts up those numbers (much less two people) in the same year unless something funny is happening!

I'm not implying they are idiot for using a PED, only that they are idiots for using something they know they can get caught for. Plenty of stuff out there that isn't tested for. Only the dumb ones use the steriods when there is all the other stuff available