Ichiro a Future Hall-of-Famer?

[Zacky1053]

I can't get most to agree in the other blog I was in, but think about it. He has a good chance at reaching 2,000 hits by the end of 2009, his ninth full season in the bigs. ROY and MVP in 2001, all the Gold Gloves, 300+ SB, and a stellar career batting average. No season under 200 hits, and if he plays just until he's 40 he's all but a guarantee for 2,500 hits and I think a guy like him could play to 43 or so and reach 3,000 hits.

Ozzie Smith made it in for his defense and stolen bases, with nowhere near the career average Ichiro has. So???

[zammos1]

I don't think there's any question really. Almost certainly a 1st ballot HOFer.

[wolffer12]

I can't believe this is a question BOOK IT.. just like the Negro League players if Japanese were in the league when he started he would have 3k hits.

[Zacky1053]

Well then the people in the other blog (interestingly enough my main opposer was a big Mariners' fan in the early 2000's) must be crazy. I think he's a lock, like I said, barring injury. My theory was that their basis for HOF candidacy must be 500 home runs, 300 wins or something major like that. Guess all those 200 hit seasons and the single-season hits record means nothing to them. Plus they all seem to think that Ichiro will fall off the planet once he reaches 40.

[petyparamoreAHS]

Ichiro has 700 less hits than Jeter (1873 to 2598) and has been playing in the bigs for 5 less years (if he averaged 180 hits a year from 95-00, which would be pretty much a lock). He'd have 300+ more hits than Jeter does now and people say Jeter can get 4000, which is a joke to me. So it's pretty much a lock he's be a HOFer.

[Zacky1053]

I know you cannot take his numbers from Japan into consideration for the MLB Hall of Fame, but just imagine what could've been if he came over even two or three years earlier. We could be talking 3,000 hits in a year or two if that were the case!

[petyparamoreAHS]

I know you cannot take his numbers from Japan into consideration for the MLB Hall of Fame, but just imagine what could've been if he came over even two or three years earlier. We could be talking 3,000 hits in a year or two if that were the case!

5-6 more and we will and he's only what 36? Still likely...To me you have to be the best or second best in the game at what you do and he's definately #1 at just getting hit after hit after hit.

[Zacky1053]

That was my other point I couldn't get the other bloggers to believe. I think he can play until he's 43 or so and get 3,000 hits. But even if he plays until 40 he's at least a lock for 2,500 hits, close to 400 SBs and of course there are the Gold Gloves and that great rookie season.

I think to them you have to hit 500 home runs (legitimately) or win 300 games to make the HOF. I was clearly talking with the wrong people over there.

[petyparamoreAHS]

That was my other point I couldn't get the other bloggers to believe. I think he can play until he's 43 or so and get 3,000 hits. But even if he plays until 40 he's at least a lock for 2,500 hits, close to 400 SBs and of course there are the Gold Gloves and that great rookie season.

I think to them you have to hit 500 home runs (legitimately) or win 300 games to make the HOF. I was clearly talking with the wrong people over there.

Funny thing is nobody after Johnson and Moyer is he somehow plays until he's 60 will ever win 300...

[Zacky1053]

I know. I mentioned this in another post, but guys you "think" maybe could, guys like Roy Halladay and Johan Santana, only have like 115 wins.

[upsbroker06]

I know you cannot take his numbers from Japan into consideration for the MLB Hall of Fame, but just imagine what could've been if he came over even two or three years earlier. We could be talking 3,000 hits in a year or two if that were the case!

Why can't you take his Japanese numbers into consideration. They do it all the time when they put Negroe Leaguers in the HOF. They base alot of their qualifications on what was done there and many didn't even play MLB baseball. Either way I think he is a sure fire HOFer if he has a few more good seasons.

[guru]

He will be in the Hall right now if he retires today just off his MLB numbers. :)!

[iluvfish2]

I agree as well. He's in. If he hasnt already he's going to break Boggs streak of 200+ hit seasons too. I can only imagine what his numbers would be like had he played just MLB ball and not in Japan. He's not a power hitter by any means, but like Boggs consistency and good defence are key parts of the game. HR's are nice, but the game is played base by base.

[Munsonmanor]

I agree with everyone else here, 1st ballot HOF'er. IF Ichico could've been playing here when he was in his early 20's, I think Pete Rose would've been sweating his 4256 hits! Sounds like the people on the other blog are a LOT more strict on their HOF eligibility.

[jbellis74]

Without a doubt unless they find something in his kool aid also lol

[Zacky1053]

Sounds like the people on the other blog are a LOT more strict on their HOF eligibility.

Well that's what I was thinking because every stat in the book couldn't convince them. Again, like I said, I have a feeling to them you need some ultra sexy power number like home runs or wins or a humungous number of saves to be eligible. I also don't care if Ichiro is a singles hitter. Hits are hits. Plus, shouldn't he get more praise if he gets so many infield singles?

[qbstud10]

Well that's what I was thinking because every stat in the book couldn't convince them. Again, like I said, I have a feeling to them you need some ultra sexy power number like home runs or wins or a humungous number of saves to be eligible. I also don't care if Ichiro is a singles hitter. Hits are hits. Plus, shouldn't he get more praise if he gets so many infield singles?

Well, they might be thinking that corner outfielders are traditionally known for their power (Ruth, Williams, Jackson, Aaron), but guys like Clemente and Gwynn are in the HOF on their high average, hitting skills, and defense. Ichiro already has more Gold Gloves than Gwynn, and a higher career batting average than Clemente. So, IMO, Ichiro should be a lock. As a big of fan of Ichiro and the Mariners, if he doesn't get in, I will be sorely disappointed.

[frozenntimesports]

He's a lock.

[zacdi25]

ichiro is a for sure in the hof

[DadofTwins]

Lock HOF- if he played anywhere closer to the Eastern Time Zone he would be an even bigger star.

[kyle1707]

IMO he would go into hall of fame right now. 200 plus hits for what 10 straight years after this year. i also agree he will come close to 3000 hits. im 36 years old and he is the best singles hitter i have ever seen. might be the best ever. hes a machine.

[Zacky1053]

Looks like Ichiro's gonna set the record for most consecutive 200-hit seasons, pending injury...BTW, I just found this quote from David Ortiz in an MLB.com article about him (Ichiro) written a few weeks ago. Brave statement here:

"With the body he has, he could play the game forever," Ortiz said. "And, you know, by the time he decides to not play anymore, like 10 years from now, there is no doubt about him making it into the Hall of Fame."

The "10 years" part may be a far-fetched statement, but if anyone's gonna play (and be that effective) until they're 45, it's gonna be Ichiro. The article has some pretty mind-boggling stats in it, too. Personally, I think Ichiro is already a HOFer even if he just plays effectively until the end of his contract. I think the voters will also take into account the impact he had on Asian players coming to MLB.

Ichiro keeps hits coming, year after year | MLB.com: News (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090720&content_id=5958220&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)

[ohiomike]

Why can't you take his Japanese numbers into consideration. They do it all the time when they put Negroe Leaguers in the HOF. They base alot of their qualifications on what was done there and many didn't even play MLB baseball. Either way I think he is a sure fire HOFer if he has a few more good seasons.

Not the same thing though. It's the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The Negro Leagues were part of this nation's baseball history. While I do believe Ichiro will be deserving of a HOF nod in this country when it is all said and done, his Japanese stats should not come into consideration. Its the national baseball HOF, not the world baseball HOF.

[aggie4ever]

I think too many people take the "magical" numbers of 500 HR or 3000 hits or 300 wins as absolutes when saying someone will or won't make the HOF. Pretty much if you get to those stats and don't have something like steroids or gambling clouding the issue, you are a lock to be voted in, usually in the FIRST YEAR. A lot more players without those stats get in over time based on having an outstanding career. For example, only 25 players have 500 HR, and 5 of those are still playing. Are there only 20 hitters in the HOF? Of course not.

[fungi2510]

He gets 3000 hits easily. He is also a great fielder. He could play center if he needed to. His cannon is amazing. I will go to bat for Ichiro saying he is not just a singles hitter. Look at his stats, he gets a ton of doubles, and could hit HRs if he wanted to. Go watch him in BP, it is a show. He just does not walk a lot. Don't have to when you have the bat control he does, I guess.

[wilsonsingles]

guaranteed lock he is in first ballot. best singles hitter since Pete Rose, maybe best singles hitter ever.

[SkinsFan]

Looks like Ichiro's gonna set the record for most consecutive 200-hit seasons, pending injury...BTW, I just found this quote from David Ortiz in an MLB.com article about him (Ichiro) written a few weeks ago. Brave statement here:

"With the body he has, he could play the game forever," Ortiz said. "And, you know, by the time he decides to not play anymore, like 10 years from now, there is no doubt about him making it into the Hall of Fame."

The "10 years" part may be a far-fetched statement, but if anyone's gonna play (and be that effective) until they're 45, it's gonna be Ichiro. The article has some pretty mind-boggling stats in it, too. Personally, I think Ichiro is already a HOFer even if he just plays effectively until the end of his contract. I think the voters will also take into account the impact he had on Asian players coming to MLB.

Ichiro keeps hits coming, year after year | MLB.com: News (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090720&content_id=5958220&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)

He's a sure lock HOFer. No question. After this year he'll have over 2000 hits in the MLB. He said in an interview as long as his belly isn't sticking out he'll play baseball as long as he can but as soon as his belly starts sticking out he'll retire. I don't see that happening anytime soon. I think he'll get over 3,000 hits in the MLB by the time he retires.

[Zacky1053]

I think he'll play at least to 40 if not longer...

[jjj7880]

1st ballot HOF'er!