Will Ichiro eventually get 3,000 hits in the MLB? Should the Hall of Fame, for all sports, be more selective?

Question

He will be 34 in October and currently has 1480 hits.

Answer 1

That's a great question.

I think if he reaches 2000 hits in MLB (which he will, no doubt), he should be in the Hall of Fame based upon his combined US and Japan statistics.

I think Ichiro will certainly get 2500 hits and, at that point, I think it should be a no-brainer even though 3000 is the benchmark. I think that baseball needs to make an exception for him because of his skills and prolonged consistency.

Will he get 3000 hits? I think that's a tall order but Ichiro is a great hitter and will no doubt stay in shape into his 40s. I think it's definitely possible and I'd love to see it happen.

Answer 2

Assuming that he can get another 120 hits this season that will put him at 1600 through 7 years. Assuming that he can average 200 hits for the next 5 years that will give him 2600. He would have to average 133.33 hits per year from ages 39-41. It is possible, but I have high doubt that he can achieve this feat. I think that it will be a tall order for him to average 200 hits over the next 5 seasons.

I do think that Halls of Fame should be more selective. There are guys in the baseball HOF that don't belong there, but their buddies on the Veteran's Committee voted them in.

Answer 3

If Suzuki plays for 12-14 years, and barring catastrophic injury I'm certain he can, I think he'll get in the Hall no matter his MLB hits total. Fantastic player.

He could probably do it with the minimum ten years but playing a few more always looks good.

I will not be a bit surprised if he reaches 3000 hits. He has a wiry, lean body type that can last a long time with maintained speed.

Answer 4

No. Speed guys very rarely maintain their speed for very far into their thirties, and my thought is that Ichiro is gonna start slowing down in a couple-a-years just like the rest of us mortals. He wont reach 3,000 hits. The problem I have with baseballs Hall is that there are players who are in that really shouldn't be (Tony Perez, Orlando Cepeda), and there are some who should definitely be in, but aren't (Bert Blyleven, Lee Smith, and Goose Gossage.).

Answer 5

I doubt that he will ever reach that mark. He came to the US a little too late to make a real run at it. Although, he keeps himself in really good shape and may have a really long career. Realistically though, I just can't imagine him playing past 41-42 years of age. It's quite a hill to climb for him to get 3,000.

Answer 6

Doubt it but he should be a HOFer. And yes, they should be. But in Ichiro's case use the Clemente Rule. It's not his fault he wasn't born here. He is still a great player and has shown it.

Answer 7

he will have to play into his 40's, but if his legs dont give out he should be able to do it. imagine if this guy started playing at 21.