Is Ichiro a Hall of Fame baseball player?

The guy has been on a tear the last two weeks. Without this hot streak he likely wouldn't have had a realistic shot at 200 this year. Still could fall short of course, but it's pretty neat to see him driving at the end here.

The guy is a lock for the Hall unless his production just craters over the next two years. Even then, he gets in on the third or fourth ballot. His glove and speed are as good as his hitting. Then there's his consistency. There's almost nothing about his game to not respect but it would be great to see him on a team that could compete in Sep/Oct.

he is in if he retired today.

10 years at .332?

led the league in hits 7 times

10 gold gloves (after this eyar)

no brainer

Jamie Moyer is up to 267 wins w/ 9 so far this year. He only needs three more good years to get to 300.

Yes. Further, it doesn't need to be just MLB stats they recognize. Negro Leagues players are in for their stats. There's no reason he can't be in for a combo. Japanese League stats shouldn't weigh as heavily, but they can be considered.

Good post. It is sort of a shame that Ichiro didn't come in at a younger age because he would have re-written some record books. In the end though, like you sort of mentioned, it is not going to be about his stats. The guy is one of the best pure hitters that has ever played the game while being an outstanding defensive outfielder. People with his speed, arm, and batting contact can be counter on one hand (maybe two). I hope later in time history is kind to Ichiro, baseball is all about stats, but the dude is one of the best players to have ever played the game. I can't think of anyone else I would want to be my leadoff guy, but then again, that is probably because I don't like Rick Henderson very much :)

No! He was not born in the US.....just thought I would stir the pot a bit since there was too much agreement going on here....

goodonelad wrote:

I can't think of anyone else I would want to be my leadoff guy, but then again, that is probably because I don't like Rick Henderson very much :)

What you got against Ricky? Ricky be a good hitter. Ricky be fast. Ricky be a good player.

If only the Mariners could have won it all in 2001.

Ichiro is a first ballot, no doubt about it, HOFer. Nobody has amassed 2200+ hits in only 10 seasons. Off the top of my head, these are the records he's set thus far:

Most hits in a season- 262

Most 200 hit seasons- 10 (17 hits to go)

Most 50 hit months- 4

It's a shame that he isn't playing for the Phillies or the Yankees. He would score a hell of a lot more runs instead of getting stranded on base every day and have a couple WS rings.

have you seen my baseball wrote:

With 22 games to go Ichiro needs 17 hits for his 10th consecutive 200 hit season. I think thats pretty damn impressive. He will be 37 in October. Anyone think he will get to 3000 hits in the MLB?

Pete Rose holds the record of the most 200 hit seasons with 10, it took him 23 seasons to do this. Ichiro will match this feat in his first 10 seasons.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

Jamie Moyer is up to 267 wins w/ 9 so far this year. He only needs three more good years to get to 300.

Not a HOFer though. His ERA is well over 4. Plus he is done for the season with elbow tendon issues. His career could be over considering his contract with the Phillies is done after this season. Guys like Blyleven, Tommy John and Jim Kaat have better numbers than Moyer. Blyleven is in his 15th year of HoF voting and the other two won't make it unless the Vet committee makes the choice.

Todd Helton, who is regarded as one of the best hitters of the past decade, has the almost the same amount of hits as Ichrio. Helton started his career at 23, Ichrio...27. Crazy.

One more stat worth mentioning. Ichiro already has amassed the most hits for the decade (2000 - 2010). This is despite missing all of 2000 because he was still playing in Japan.

[quote]nokaman wrote:

Ichiro is a first ballot, no doubt about it, HOFer. Nobody has amassed 2200+ hits in only 10 seasons. Off the top of my head, these are the records he's set thus far:

Most hits in a season- 262

Most 200 hit seasons- 10 (17 hits to go)

Most 50 hit months- 4

quote]

I believe he also hit the first-ever in-the-park HR in an All-Star game.

Ichiro broke George Sisler's record for hits in one season, which is not a record I'd ever expected to see broken.

Any stat before 1950 doesn't count. Sisler played in the White Minor Leagues. Negro baseball was the real majors before 1950.

nokaman wrote:

One more stat worth mentioning. Ichiro already has amassed the most hits for the decade (2000 - 2010). This is despite missing all of 2000 because he was still playing in Japan.

that would be an 11 year decade. ichiro is a fun player to watch, hits for a very high average, is very consistent, steals a lot of bases, is a great outfielder, rarely walks, hits only singles, and fails in comparisons to most hall of fame outfielders because of his utter lack of power and walks.

はい

jjjjjjjjj wrote:

that would be an 11 year decade. ichiro is a fun player to watch, hits for a very high average, is very consistent, steals a lot of bases, is a great outfielder, rarely walks, hits only singles, and fails in comparisons to most hall of fame outfielders because of his utter lack of power and walks.

Ummm, how many lead off hitters in MLB are also power hitters?

How about none. Your analysis fails.

So ....Ichiro still had more hits in a season than anyone after 1950, if 1950 and beyond is all you're counting.

Okay, what's next?