Ichiro Gives One Last Glimpse - Gary Armida's Blog

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Ichiro Gives One Last Glimpse Stuck

Posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:43 AM.

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I can remember watching Don Mattingly back in 1995 and seeing him struggle through most of the season. His chronic back problems had long since robbed him of his power and his ability to dominate a game. He never complained, but it was obvious that Mattingly was playing through an intense amount of pain during his last season. His final year should�ve been in 1994 when the Yankees were the best team in the American League and seemed destined to meet the Montreal Expos in the World Series. But, the strike robbed Mattingly of that opportunity.

Watching the then 34 year old play was painful. The pitches he once turned on for line drives up the right centerfield alley or into the right field seats were now popups or ground balls. His back just wouldn�t let him drive the ball.

But, then something changed in July. Mattingly, as he always did, began to tinker with his stance. He copied Paul O�Neill�s leg kick. Suddenly, the power was back. Mattingly found some of that power he had during the mid 1980�s. In July, he hit .353/.414/.529. Then, he finished the season with a .321/.359/.472 September. He would hit over .400 in his first and only postseason appearance and homered in his final game at Yankee Stadium.

Every great player has the one last run in him. The skills may be diminished; he may be a step or two slower, but he gives us a glimpse into what once was. Those magical or periods bring us back to a younger time when we were awed by a great talent on the field. Don Mattingly did that for me in 1995. I still get that same emotional feeling when I watch the replay of his home run against the Mariners in the ALDS. It was like the one final goodbye to the elite player I grew up with.

Ichiro Suzuki is in the process of giving his fans the same type of opportunity. Suzuki�s career has been legendary. He will one day be enshrined in Cooperstown. From the very first moment of his big league debut on Opening Day of the 2001 season, Suzuki has been one of Major League Baseball�s best players. He could do it all; he fielded his position. He had a cannon for an arm. He could run. And, he had one of the most beautiful unorthodox swings ever seen.

He immediately was a star with the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners have housed many stars and future Hall of Famers in their short history. Ken Griffey Jr. went from teenage phenom to superstar in Seattle. Edgar Martinez became the greatest designated hitter of all-time. Randy Johnson figured it all out in Seattle and became one of the few true aces in the sport. Alex Rodriguez was the best player in the sport. But, Ichiro was different; He was a star from day one. And, he looked like he was going to finish his career as a Mariner.

He made his United States debut at age 27 for the Mariners in that 2001 season. He was named the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player that season. He led the league with his 242 hits, 56 stolen bases, and .350 batting average. It would be the first of 10 consecutive seasons with 200 or more hits. In those 10 seasons, he would lead the league in hits seven times. In those 10 seasons, he would compile a .331/.376/.430 batting line with an average of 26 doubles, 7 triples, 9 home runs, 56 RBI, 105 runs scored, and 38 stolen bases. He was the best leadoff hitter of his generation.

Then the effect of age began to take hold. His swing was a bit slower. He gradually began to run less. 2011 was the first sign that he was in the midst of the inevitable decline. He missed the 200 hit mark for the first time in his Major League career. He posted a career low .272/.310/.335 slash line. He was worse last season. But, he was still an icon in Seattle so he was atop the Mariners lineup in part because they had nobody else and in part that he was a legend still playing for the slumping franchise.

This season didn�t start any better for the 38 year old. It was likely to be his last season in Seattle as the Mariners are in an extreme rebuild mode and that doesn�t really fit with Suzuki. When the Yankees came to Seattle in mid-July, there was the shocking announcement that the Seattle icon was traded to the visitor�s clubhouse. The veteran was traded to the Yankees after signing off that he would hit in the bottom of the order and that he may not play every day.

Suzuki played better as a Yankee, but there were very few moments of seeing the Ichiro of 8 to 10 years ago. It finally happened on Wednesday when the Yankees took on the Toronto Blue Jays for a day/night doubleheader. It continued last night.

For the past two days, baseball fans have been treated to a glimpse of the Ichiro Suzuki who dominated the game for 10 seasons. During the past three games, Suzuki has accumulated 9 hits in 12 at bats, scored 4 runs, hit 2 doubles, 1 home run, driven in 4 runs, and stole 4 bases.

For the past two days, Ichiro Suzuki has been the best player on the field. He hasn�t been that for a couple of years now. He�s electrified the crowd, he�s come up with big hits, and has made his case to remain in the everyday lineup for the remainder of the season. Perhaps it is his first true pennant race since 2001 that is bringing this out of him or it is just a case of a legend finding it one more time. The legends tend to find it in the bigger spots. Mattingly did in 1995. Ichiro seems to be finding it now when his club needs it the most.

Whatever the reason, baseball fans are being treated to a special stretch by one of their special players. Ichiro Suzuki has been one of the best players over his unique and special 12 year Major League career. The Hall of Fame is a certainty. His status as one of the greatest international baseball stars is cemented. And, he is giving his fans another glimpse of how truly great he was. That is a gift only the special players can give.

Enjoy it.

Comments

# 1 Gleebo @ Sep 21

Ichiro has plans to get to 3000 MLB hits (2587 currently), to do that he will need 3 more seasons to get a chance. Consider his Yankee numbers as an audition (he is a free agent) of how he can hit in a lineup with protection. I would think there will be quite a few teams that will be willing to give him a job next year that have OF needs, and seeing that BJ Upton is the top talent available such teams as Rangers, Nationals, Phillies, Braves, Red Sox, Yankees, Reds, Giants and Cubs are among the teams that could be searching for outfield help this offseason.

# 2 thescoop @ Sep 21

While I'm not a Yankees fan, I find it hard not to root for Ichiro. He has been a class act since he first came into the league and I hope to see him have a magical run this October. Ichiro is one of the good guys and I hope to see him shine even if it is only for one last time

# 3 marginwalker12 @ Sep 21

Yankee fans and their destiny. Ha. With the best record in the American League we were destined to play the National League team with the best record. Didn't know destiny operated through wins.