Mariners Alumni Home Run Derby is Ichiro Suzuki's golden chance to print the legend

Ichiro Suzuki is renowned as one of the greatest contact hitters of all time, highlighted by his 262 hits in 2004 being the most in a single season in Major League history. However, he once said back in 2007 he could probably hit 40 home runs in a season if he changed his hitting approach. Well, we're finally going to discover if there's any credence to this claim.

As announced by the Mariners on Thursday, they're going to host their first-ever Alumni Home Run Derby on Aug. 7. It comes as part of the franchise's 50 seasons anniversary celebration weekend, and will take place immediately following their game with the Rays. And without question, Ichiro headlines the list of participants:

Playing off that old saying that "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend', it's time for Ichiro to put his money where his mouth is.

The speculation about his home run prowess has been around ever since his comments in 2007. In theory the question could have been answered just one year later when he was asked to take part in the 2008 Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, but unfortunately he declined due to a tight hamstring.

Ever since then, while not exactly dominating the headlines, it's been a recurring theme to wonder how realistic Ichiro's claim of 40 home runs really is? He went yard 117 times in total over 19 years in the majors, with his career-high being 15 in 2005. Again though, this is greatly impacted by his hitting approach, as opposed to not being capable of raking more.

Stastical analysis versus the eye test has kept the Ichiro Suzuki power legend alive

Eno Sarris of FanGraphs did an excellent deep dive back in 2017, on if Ichiro could have been a power hitter. It's a tremendous read which we implore you to read, with Sarris' conclusion being that perhaps the three-time Silver Slugger was right to never try lifting the ball more. Still, all the analytical breakdowns in the world can only help so much, with it often better to go with what those who played the game say.

And who better to turn to than Barry Bonds who, even allowing for the controversy surrounding his achievements, holds the all-time record of 762 career home runs. Giving due credit to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, Bonds was interviewed in 2016 when he was the Marlins' hitting coach and Ichiro was playing in Miami. Bonds said Ichiro hit more home runs than anyone every day in batting practice, and would easily win that year's Home Run Derby if he participated.

Now sure, that interview took place a decade ago and Ichiro retired in 2019. However, as much as father time is undefeated, he's in much better shape than most 52-year-old former ballplayers. The majority of Mariners fans know he still goes out to train in right field at T-Mobile Park before every game.

Heck, the Hall of Famer even still suits up, taking part in a Mariners scrimmage last October as the players prepared for their AL Division Series versus the Tigers. Honestly, we can't wait to see how Ichiro does compared to Mike Cameron and company this coming August. Fans everywhere want to see it, and we won't be the least bit surprised if he delivers.

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