Ichiro Collects 200 Hits for Tenth Straight Season

This afternoon, Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki collected his 200th hit of the season off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shawn Hill.

It marks the tenth consecutive season the Japanese born Ichiro has collected 200 or more hits.

Mariners fans haven't had much to cheer about this season. Aside from Ichiro, there's been Felix Hernandez who today was on the wrong end of a 1-0 loss to the Jays. The only run he gave up was Jose Bautista's 50th homerun of the season (now there's a story.)

But Ichiro is in a class by himself.

The question is whether Ichiro can reach 3,000 hits. As of this writing, Ichiro has 2,230 hits for his MLB career. Given that Ichiro averages nearly 230 hits a season he could reach the 3,000 plateau sometime during the 2014 season barring serious injury. He would be 40 in 2014 but Ichiro keeps himself in great physical condition so I think it is entirely feasible. But if he were to stop playing in the majors at the end of this season I think he's accomplished enough to earn a plaque in Cooperstown.