Coming into 2009, the expectations set before Ichiro Suzuki were the same as any other year--200 hits, .300 batting average, 30 stolen bases, a Gold-Glove and an All-Star appearance.But there were legitimate reasons to believe he would fail to reach these goals. Ichiro only hit .310 last season and is 35 years old.
It also didn't help that he began the season on the disabled list due to a bleeding ulcer. But he made his return known with a grand slam in his April 14 season debut.
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He then started a 27-game hitting streak, which was eventually brought to an end. But now he is on an abnormal tear.
In April, he hit a mere .306, May was an improvement with .377, but June has been an unbelievable .414. And June is no small sample; he has had 99 at bats heading into Sunday’s matinee.
With his bat knocking balls across the field, he has also found himself hitting those balls farther and more often.
His .505 slugging percentage is one you would expect a slugger such as Russell Branyan or Adrian Beltre to hit. On top of that, his six home runs coming into Sunday are the same total of each of his previous seasons.
Ichiro’s stellar bat has left many fans facing some illogical questions, including the possibility of Ichiro reaching the sacred .400 average in a season.
If Ichiro were to continue batting .414 on 350 at bats, then his projected batting average would be .397. So he would have to hit around .420 the rest of the season to reach the all-elusive .400 average.
He is off to a nice start toward that .420 as he has hit .594 in his last seven games.
No wonder he’s a fan favorite.
Reach Ben Brown at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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