Ichiro Suzuki was truly one of a kind. Super fast, excellent defender, hit over .300, and never GIDP'd more than 11 times in a season, averaging 6 GIDP's, about half the league average, and 30 stolen bases per 162 games for his entire career.
If Ken Griffey Junior had stayed in Seattle with Ichiro, Griffey might have broken the home run record if he had followed's Ichiro's stretching regimen.
But, there is a but. Ichiro never truly fit in as either a lead off hitter, or hitting second. When a lead off hitter does not walk enough, but hits over .300, it is a waste to lead off that batter, because a walk is as good as a single when leading off a game.
But if Ichiro hit second, his running swing worked great for getting infield hits, but could result in forcing out the lead runner if there was a runner already on first base.
Hitting third hinders Ichiro's stolen base totals and his below average extra base hit totals would not work in the 3 spot. So there it is, why falling one vote short was the right thing to have happen.
Los Angeles Emmy winning Producer Alessandro Machi combines his editing, camera and observational skills to provide unique insights into the World of Sports.
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