Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Ichiro on top in pinch-hits
Healthy OF means he gets few AB chances
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ichiro Suzuki, an old ballplayer, is still trying to learn his new trick: pinchhitting.
But this year has been different from others from the standpoint of opportunity. The Miami Marlins’ starting outfield of Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna has remained healthy, which has relegated Ichiro to a genuine backup role for a whole season for the first time in his quarter-century of professional baseball.
That means coming off the bench more than ever. Ichiro led the majors to start the week in pinch-hit plate appearances (73) and pinchhit base hits (18), the Marlins’ highest total since 2009. Next closest are the Brewers’ Jesus Aguilar (46 PAs) and Rockies’ Pat Valaika (14 hits).
“Obviously, the best situation for our team is to have our regulars, our starters stay healthy all year,” Ichiro said through interpreter Allen Turner. “We’ve been in that situation now, and I think this is what’s best for the team. I’ve embraced this role and trying to do what I can to be ready for that role. But I think this is what’s best for the team.”
Even with the larger sample size, Ichiro’s output as a pinch-hitter has been about the same as it always has been. He was hitting .269 (a middle-of-the-pack 16th among 38 players with at least 20 appearances) with a .319 OBP (19th) and .313 slugging percentage (28th) entering Monday. In his career, those numbers are .260/.325/.313.
The pinch-hit efforts have upped Ichiro’s career hit total to 3,061, and Friday against the Braves he passed Craig Biggio for 22nd on baseball’s all-time hits list.
But that might be it for Ichiro’s hits milestones this season. Up next is Cap Anson with 3,081 — 20 ahead of Ichiro, a big ask and nearimpossible task if he remains in this strict pinchhitting role.
He has started only 16 games in the outfield this year, down from 59 in 2016 and 88 in 2015, when his role was more significant due to injuries.
Ichiro’s meticulous routine, however, has remained.
“No difference,” manager Don Mattingly said. “Does the same things every day. At 6:15 [p.m.] at home, he’s in the cage, I know exactly what time it is when he hits.”
Ichiro said he doesn’t know how to do it any other way.
“That is something you can’t change. I can’t be somebody else. I can only do it the way I know how. I know that’s what I need to do,” Ichiro said.
“Maybe if you don’t prepare and go out there without thinking, maybe you have more success, I don’t know. But I think in total the way I’m doing it, you have to believe that’s what’s going to get the job done.”