Mariners Greatest Hits: The “Wizard” Right Fielder Ichiro

October 1st, 2004

A few years after his initial hitting showcase, Ichiro had proven himself as one of the best hitters in the game. After his rookie campaign in which he led the league with 242 hits, he followed that up by having two more years with at least 200 hits.

It was his 2004 year that would put him in the history books.

In a season in which he had 34 games in which he notched three or more hits up to this point in the season -he reached four hits six times and five hits four times- it was no surprise that Ichiro was aiming for George Sisler’s single season hit record of 257 hits set back in 1920.

In his third to last game of the year, Ichiro came in one knock behind the Deadball era batsman. In his first attempt of the night against the Texas Rangers, he tied the hall of famer with a Baltimore chop over the third baseman’s outstretched glove.

He made quick business of taking the record for himself as he scorched a shot right back through the middle of the infield for immortal history.

He would go on to have one more hit that game, but it could never have lived up to the incredible moment.

That was the beauty if Ichiro’s game. He wasn’t hitting the ball in the way that Ruth, Aaron or Griffey would he was just so good putting the ball, as they would say, “where they ain’t”.

Finishing the year with 262 hits -which is still a record today- he would complete his fourth season in a row with 200+ hits. As many already know, he still holds the record for more consecutive seasons with 200+ hits with 10 in a row.