Life + Times

Paid Dues

04.07.2011

SPORTS

There are underrated players in every professional sport.

In the NBA, Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom, San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili and Golden State Warriors guard Monte Ellis never seem to get the love that they deserve. Likewise, NFL players like Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton, New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas and Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant rarely get mentioned when fans talk about the best players on the gridiron. In leagues that are literally filled with stars, superstars and mega-superstars, someone has to get overlooked and, as a result, these guys don’t end up getting the credit they should.

In baseball, there is one player in particular who comes to mind as consistently underappreciated: Mariners right-fielder Ichiro Suzuki. Despite the fact that he’s easily one of the best players in all of baseball, the Seattle Mariners are hardly ever on TV—and almost never in a pennant race—so his name doesn’t get brought up when people start talking about Major League Baseball’s MVPs.

With baseball season on again and Ichiro taking home his tenth Gold Glove last year (which ties an American League record), here’s a just a few reasons why he should be on your radar.

He spent nine successful seasons in Japan’s pro Pacific League before he ever played in a Major League Baseball game.
It’s hard to imagine any pro athlete in America spending a decade dominating a sport here before heading off to another country to put together a Hall of Fame career. But Ichiro managed to do it by starting his pro career in the Pacific League when he was just 18 and playing in Japan until 2000, when the Mariners paid $13 million for the right to sign him to a contract. Though a handful of people—including Mike Hargrove, who would later manage him—doubted his ability to make the leap to the Major Leagues, he’s more than proven all his doubters wrong.

In his 2001 rookie season with the Seattle Mariners, led both the league in both batting average and stolen bases.
The only person to have done this before, other than Ichiro, is Jackie Robinson. Ichiro belted out a .350 batting average and stole 56 bases, leading both statistical categories in the American League. No one had done that since the great #42 did it back in the 1950s.

He has consistently finished in the top 10 in hits, batting average, steals and runs.
Ichiro does a little bit of everything. And he does them consistently. At the end of the last 10 seasons, Ichiro has been near the top of all of these categories.

He broke an 84-year-old record during the 2004 season for most hits in a season.
Pete Rose didn’t even do this. In 2004, Ichiro hit a record-breaking 262 hits to pass former St. Louis Browns first baseman George Sisler. He also had more hits during a four-year span (between 2001 and 2004) than any other player in MLB history.

He has played on two Japanese teams that have won the World Baseball Classic.
When he’s not knocking MLB pitchers around, Ichiro spends his time representing his country. In 2006 and 2009, Ichiro agreed to play for the Japanese team in the WBC and helped the team get victories over South Korea.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TK4VVDVGUAX4UPOYWZCOMPPZUI Christian Castro

Though I agree Suzuki may not get the credit he deserves for the incredible career he’s had in MLB, there’s reason for that. The teams he’s played for, for the most part, havn’t been winners. America is all about winners. He may need to come to a larger market (chicago cubs?)
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NT5ALOXXSZ5CFE4W2BJAEGYEG4 Aaron Visbeek

If you “appreciate” Ichiro so much, you should consider looking up what position he plays…he has never played left field in his entire life.
Anonymous

@Christian Castro… “The teams he’s played for, for the most part, havn’t been winners.” True, but Baseball is, by in large, an individual sport in terms of analyzing statistics and success. And Ichiro has filled up the books like an accountant does a spreadsheet; 10 straight seasons of 200+ hits, .331 career Batting Average, and a total of 386 Stolen Bases (35.1 Season Average). He’s a sure-fire Hall of Famer… no questions asked.
http://twitter.com/LetsTalkEmail Edith

I’m glad to see that someone is actually recognizing the fact that he is so under rated. He is such an amazing athlete and he is such a huge celebrity in Japan.
http://profiles.google.com/ravipatel01 Ravi Patel

If he was in a Big market (North East) teams, he would have easily be the poster boy for baseball. Imagine if Ichiro began his career here at the age of 18? forget 3000 hits, he could have easily had 4000 and 15 gold gloves. Nonetheless, he is going to be in Canton soon. Good to see an all-round player recognized.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=16700582 Matt Tepper

While I agree that Ichiro can go unappreciated in the national spotlight since he plays for an also-ran Mariners organization, he is not as unnoticed as you think. He has been voted in by fans for 9 of his 10 All-Star appearances by the fans. He is still widely considered the best contact hitter in baseball, one of the bigger base stealing threats and has a rocket of an arm that effects every team’s baserunning strategy on anything hit to Right Field.
http://twitter.com/QuestStJacobs Quest✖SAINT✖Jacobs

Ichiro is a golden glover. He’s only getting over-looked by the media.

http://ren-uh-zahns.blogspot.com
Anonymous

Seattle stand up!
http://twitter.com/Dabestofs Da Best Ofs

I dont think Ichiro is underrated at all to those that know baseball. The only thing that sucks for him is that he plays in Seattle. None of the Seattle teams are marketable teams just due to its geographic location. Their games are usually the last ones of the day and no one actually travels to see games there. Ichiro is a all time great and many people that follow baseball know it.
http://profiles.google.com/brendan.macwade Brendan A. MacWade

The fact that Ichiro seems content to play out his entire MLB career in Seattle and not ask for a ridiculous trade to a contender for a chance to win a ring speaks volumes about how culturally different he is. He is loyal to his team. He doesn’t speak ill of management in public. He just gets 200+ hits per year and is going to be a first ballot hall of famer. He’s the most beautiful hitter I’ve seen in my lifetime (I would compare his slender frame and his swing to Ted Williams). A lot of American-born players need to follow his example. When it comes down to it, what would you rather have…a ring or a space on the wall in Cooperstown?
http://wearqr.com QR Code Marketing

He’s definitely not underrated, but it’s really unfortunate that he doesn’t play on a team that is higher profile in the media.
http://profiles.google.com/amytacular Amy Ng

I agree – as a person living in Seattle, Ichiro is a bit of a hometown hero but he absolutely does NOT get any sort of national recognition. Love you Ichiro!
Anonymous

Ichiro has been underrated his entire career, but it’s not so much because he plays in Seattle, which does have something to do with it, but there is a significant difference in the way he plays the game compared to our American born, or Latin players. He has brought a new look, or should I say a revived look to our game. We call it “small ball.” Which is basically the manufacturing of run production. Our original baseball has evolved from this style of baseball and has become what we know today as “waiting for the home run!” Ichiro has brought back the basics of what makes the game so special. His game is pure and simplistic, yet overwhelmingly complex because he can beat you many ways. This game is not as exciting to the average fan or dumb fuck sports reporter that never played the game. Therefore, he has never received the credit he deserves. These days, if your not making Sport Center, your not a great player! I enjoyed your post as well as your website!
Anonymous

Ichiro has been underrated his entire career, but it’s not so much because he plays in Seattle, which does have something to do with it, but there is a significant difference in the way he plays the game compared to our American born, or Latin players. He has brought a new look, or should I say a revived look to our game. We call it “small ball.” Which is basically the manufacturing of run production. Our original baseball has evolved from this style of baseball and has become what we know today as “waiting for the home run!” Ichiro has brought back the basics of what makes the game so special. His game is pure and simplistic, yet overwhelmingly complex because he can beat you many ways. This game is not as exciting to the average fan or dumb fuck sports reporter that never played the game. Therefore, he has never received the credit he deserves. These days, if your not making Sport Center, your not a great player! I enjoyed your post as well as your website!
http://apollokidz.com The Doc

I definitely have to agree. I don’t know how many years he has left in him, but I would like to see him have a good run.
http://twitter.com/Sharisus_Christ Your Lord and Savior

wow! i had never heard of this guy. every time someone mentions baseball, i think of megastar, A-Rod. however… i think i’m going to be looking out for Ichiro now.
Anonymous

@christian castro. the only mlb team he’s been on is the m’s. ichiro is a true stud. non-juiced. loyal. repping seattle. and knows how to dress. haha.
http://twitter.com/innermonk Spencer Barnes

as a seattlite I love seeing ichiro getting some recognition! Even if the M’s don’t do the best he is still so fun to watch. Thanks for highlighting someone who really deserves it
http://profiles.google.com/jencphotography Jennifer Castillo

Bravo for talking about Ichiro. I think baseball fans are very aware of Ichiro’s presence in the whole of baseball and in that sense, is not underrated. But because he’s stayed in Seattle and not gone for the big money teams, he’s somewhat low key and I think that’s probably just how he likes it. In the end, his amazing natural talent for baseball will get him into Cooperstown…’nough said. He’s brilliant and I absolutely LOVE that he’s not all about the money nor the media. To me, he’s the one true naturally gifted baseball player that’s not infected with the need to take drugs to enhance his performance…something that, for me, has ruined baseball and it’s meaningful record breaking stats.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_RPWAIPXPI3B62BCIWJ3KSXZKEE Allison Mart

Let’s talk about the Yankees….more particularly my boy Russell Martin and how his young/Canadian blood is impacting the team and how much he has to learn about the big city and the BIG team…
Btuuced Mkmkm

Love the Mariners