Many players are under appreciated, but none is less appreciated by some than Ichiro Suzuki. Signed by Seattle in 2000, Ichiro was the American League’s MVP, Rookie of the Year, and batting champion in 2001. He made one error in the outfield the entire season. Ichiro’s had one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time, which is even more remarkable when one realizes that he was learning a new league, a different way of approaching the game, a new culture, and a new language.
Ichiro Has Some Great Achievements
Ichiro led the American League in batting again in 2004 (.372) and his .333 lifetime average leads all active major leaguers. Number 51 broke George Sisler’s single season record of 257 hits with 262 hits in 2004, has stolen 272 bases in 334 attempts, and is an excellent defensive outfielder with a strong, accurate throwing arm. Despite his obvious greatness, some individuals do not appreciate him because he is not a power hitter.
Singles Beat Walks
Ichiro Suzuki hits singles, not home runs, and he doesn’t draw many walks. But a walk is as valuable as a single only when a batter leads off the inning or walks with the bases loaded, and a leadoff batter is certain to lead off and inning only his first at bat. A single may allow runners to advance two bases, which can occur with a walk only if ball four is a wild pitch or passed ball. With a runner on third, a walk will not drive in a run.
Ichiro Hits So Many Singles
Ichiro has a lifetime .379 on base average, which ranks only 178th all time, but he has 1557 hits in 4673 at bats with 320 walks. Using the accepted average run expectancy values of 0.33 for a walk and 0.49 for a single, Ichiro’s 1260 singles produce 617 runs while his walks produce 106 runs. No one is questioning the value of walks, but Ichiro is a special case because he gets so many singles and when he makes contact, the chances of a safe hit are higher for him than any other active player.
Ichiro Scores More Runs Than Most Lead Off Batters
In his major league career, Ichiro has averaged scoring 114 runs a season, which is excellent compared to the greatest lead off hitters. Rickey Henderson scored 121 runs a season, Tim Raines 102 runs a season, Wade Boggs 100 runs a season, Pete Rose 98 runs a season, Lou Brock 100 runs a season, Paul Molitor 108, and Tony Gwynn 92. With respect to Bill James’ win shares, Ichiro is the leader with an average of 30.0, compared to Henderson’s 29.4.
Players Must Also Be Seen
There is more to evaluating a player than statistics. Mark Twain, quoting Benjamin Disraeli, wrote that “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics." Players as well as their numbers must be seen, and most that have seen Ichiro do not underrate his value. Those who do underrate him are making a mistake.
A Five-Tool Player
Ichiro is a five-tool player, although he prefers to hit the ball where it is pitched rather than try to pull outside pitches to hit home runs, which helps make him so dangerous. He hits for an average, has a strong throwing arm, is a great fielder, is fast, and has good power. There was no better illustration of Suzuki’s greatness than at the all-star game, when he went 3 for 3, hit the first ever all-star game inside the park home run, and was voted the game’s Most Valuable Player.
