Los Angeles (AFP) – Florida Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki doubled to rightfield with two outs in the ninth inning Wednesday to reach a global baseball hit milestone, although one not recognized by Major League Baseball.
The 42-year-old Japanese star tagged closing relief pitcher Fernando Rodney of the host San Diego Padres for his 4,257th combined professional hit in North American and Japanese top-level games.
That total is one more than the Major League Baseball career hits record of 4,256 set by Pete Rose from 1963 to 1986.
Ichiro has 2,979 hits in Major League Baseball after getting 1,278 during nine Japan League seasons with the Orix Blue Wave before making his move across the Pacific Ocean in 2001.
The Marlins, who lost 6-3 to the Padres in the National League contest, saw Ichiro race out a leadoff infield single in the first inning to match Rose’s lifetime total.
Two pitches into the game, Ichiro tapped a rolling infield hit off a 93mph fastball from Padres’ right-hander Luis Perdomo.
After that hit and again after his double in the ninth, Ichiro was rewarded with huge applause from the rival ballpark fans.
Because Major League Baseball does not recognize Ichiro’s Japan League hits, his North American total remains 21 shy of the 3,000 milestone and six behind Sam Rice for 30th place on Major League Baseball’s all-time hits list.
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