Ichiro would break the all time hits record if he didn't stay in the NPB for so long. He is on pace for his 10th straight 200+ hit season which would tie Pete Rose's record for most seasons in a career with 200+ hits. He is second in the MLB this season for hits at age 36, the guy is a beast.
Thats the one thing I don't like abouty baseball. It seems like people just like the stat numbers. Besides his rookie season, he hasn't done anything to help his team win.
Expound. EDIT: As a pre-emptive response to your response, I will point out that baseball is basically an individual sport when compared to basketball. It is next to impossible to post good stats without helping your team win.
Even without his hitting prowess, he had 9 straight gold gloves. He is one of the most underrated players of the 2000's, only because he is not a slugger.
Pudge can make it. He needs just 2.5 seasons at his current pace. As long as he is still calling good games, he can last that long with a .250 average. So I think Jeter, a-rod and pudge make it - the rest don't.
It is impossible to win baseball games by yourself. They were actually a good team for his first 4 teams, just in a very competitive division. Then their pitching fell off, and now of course they have to worst offense in baseball around him.
Damon will finish this year around 400 hits shy of 3000. He can get to 3000 easily. He's still a good hitter and has a place in baseball. I don't see any reason he couldn't play for another 3 years to get that number, unless teams aren't willing to pay him good money and he retires.
I was at the Ranger game where he got his "combined" 3000 hit (MLB and overseas) a couple of years back...pretty cool nonetheless...I wouldn't count him out on achieving the MLB 3000 hit club... I say jeter and a-rod get there...
Aside from the fact that he has over 400 career XBHs, and that he's "hit nothing but singles" at a historic rate, Ichiro: Won the AL MVP in 2001 Possesses a career OPS+ of 117 and a career triple-slash line of .331/.376/.431 Has won 9 AL Gold Gloves, and with his 9.6 UZR this year he will likely win a tenth Has gone to 10 All Star Games in 10 Seasons Will finish his career with over 400 Stolen Bases Scored 100+ runs 8 years in a row, despite playing on some dreadful hitting teams Broke Sisler's 84-year-old single season hit record Won 3 MVPs, 7 Batting Titles, 7 Gold Gloves and was named to 7 All-Star Teams in Japan Has faced no allegations of PED use He's a lock.
Is Chipper a Hall-of-Famer? I've never really browsed his numbers, but it's pretty clear he's not going to be a 500 homer or 3,000 hits guy. Definitely a great average and one of the best switch hitters of all time. Very, very good third baseman. I think he gets in... what do ya'll think?
It did take him a while to find a team this off season, but I agree there is good demand for a player like him still and should be for the next few seasons.
It only took him awhile because he was refusing to take a pay cut. The Yankees wanted him back pretty badly, and tried to get a deal done on two separate occasions. If he tries to be a $10 million a year guy going forward he is going to be forced to retire shy of 3000 hits. If he accepts that he is a $5 million and under guy in the new baseball economy he will get there. As for the guy who asked about Chipper, he is a no doubt hall of famer. One of the best 3B of all time.
