Former NY Mets Manager Reveals Pettiness That Probably Killed Ichiro Deal in 2001
Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine believes Ichiro Suzuki thought he was going to make his MLB debut with […]
USA TODAY Sports Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine believes Ichiro Suzuki thought he was going to make his MLB debut with the Amazins. But a petty beef with his agent likely ended any real chance. Ichiro will go down as one of the greatest hitters MLB has ever seen.
During his 19-year career, the Japanese icon posted years with . 350 and . 372 batting averages, was a one-time MVP, 10-time All-Star, and a 10-time Gold Glove winner.
If he had power, he would have been illegal. However, when he made his debut in 2001, imports from Japan were not as highly valued as they are now. For the most part, many former stars from the land of the rising sun disappointed.
So expectations on Ichiro were not high. But many now look back and wonder if he would have started his career in MLB a few years earlier, he might have had many of the all-time hitting records. Ichiro is a great “what if” tale for the teams that did not make more of an effort to outbid the Seattle Mariners for his services.