Seattle Mariners history: When Ichiro became the single season Hit King
16 years ago, Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro beat out George Sisler for the most hits in a single season
For Seattle Mariners fans, Ichiro has been the lone bright spot in a long history of losing. And yet again, we find ourselves on the outside looking in. But, on the bright-side, there are always great memories to look back on as a Mariner fan.
On this date, 16 years ago, Mariner fans crowded T-Mobile Park, which used to be called Safeco Field to witness history.
The crowd was filled with anticipation as the Mariners squared off against the Texas Rangers for the final series of the 2004 season.
More Mariners. Get Gonzales three runs. light
In Ichiro’s first at bat to lead off the bottom of the first inning, he hit is 257th hit to tie the single-season hit record held by George Sisler. Sisler had 257 hits in 1920.
And as you would expect, the whole stadium knew he had the chance to be on top of the list in his second at bat. In Ichiro fashion, he did just that.
In the third inning, he took a 3-2 pitch up the middle and the stadium went nuts.
The game was halted to celebrate this historic moment, as the Mariners dugout came to celebrate. George Sisler’s family was in attendance and Ichiro went over to the five members of the family to shake hands.
You get chills watching replays of Ichiro’s 258th hit on the first day of October. The crowd noise, the fireworks, and the “I-chi-ro” chants.
Since Sisler, very few were remotely close to 257 in a single season.
Wade Boggs hit 240 in 1985, Hank Aaron hit 223 in 1959, and Stan Musial hit 230 in 1948.
Ichiro would finish the season with 262 hits, where the Mariners played its final game on October 3rd. Just two days after Ichiro got to the top of the single season hit ranking.
Ichiro officially retired in 2019, and of course, he finished as a member of the Seattle Mariners. This record he broke was just the beginning of his legendary career. His rookie season was in 2001, so it is truly amazing that it took him only three seasons to break the single season hit record.
His resume is outstanding. Ichiro was the first player in MLB history to win AL Rookie of the Year, AL MVP and the American League Batting Title all in his first season.
On top of that, he was a ten time All Star, and won 10 Gold Glove Awards.
He boasts a .311 career batting average, .402 on base percentage, and 509 stolen bases.
Mariners Mount Rushmore. dark. Next
Ichiro should be unanimously elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the second player so honored behind Mariano Rivera.