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SPORTSWednesday 16 March 2016

Suzuki so close to 3,000 hits _ if he can get enough at-bats

STEVEN WINE Miami Marlins right fielder Ichiro Suzuki lines up his bat before hitting during the sixth inning of an exhibition spring training baseball
AP Sports Writer game against the New York Mets, Sunday, March 13, 2016, in Jupiter, Fla.
JUPITER, Florida (AP) — Ich-
iro Suzuki sits at his locker, Associated Press
an interpreter by his side,
and the nature of conver- — has a career average of road. Right now I haven’t heading into this year it chance again in 2017 if he
sation with the future Hall of .314, but hasn’t batted .300 changed anything.” would be different. I could falls short of 65 hits?
Famer gives him extra time since 2010. He denies that chasing say in two months I should “I’d like him to get them,”
to craft a response to the He has 2,935 hits, however, 3,000 is the motivation to be there. You don’t know Mattingly says. “But we’re
question: How much longer leaving him on the verge of keep going, saying he what kind of opportunities here to win, and we’ve got
does he expect to play? a milestone that tempers plays because he loves the I’ll have.” to try to play the guys who
The query is relayed to him any temptation to retire. game. But the countdown The Marlins would like to put us in the best position to
in Japanese. Suzuki smiles Anyway, he’s not yet ready will add some uncharac- play Suzuki less. He had 398 win.”
as he replies with a joke to make concessions to the teristic drama this season at-bats last year and ap-
that loses nothing in trans- clock. for the perennial also-ran peared to tire at the end, The milestone would rein-
lation. “Nothing has stopped me Marlins. going 12 for 97 (.124) over force Suzuki’s elite stature.
“At least until 50,” he says in because of the way I feel “It would be an unbeliev- his final 36 games. He could join Ty Cobb, Paul
Japanese. or the way I’m perform- able great thing,” Suzuki “He probably played more Molitor, Eddie Collins and
Everyone laughs, despite ing physically,” Suzuki said. said. “But I’m a fourth out- games last year than he Honus Wagner as the only
the serious subject matter. “That may come down the fielder. If I was a starter needed to play,” new Mar- players with 3,000 hits, 500
Baseball does indeed have lins manager Don Mattingly stolen bases and a career
a clock, and Suzuki is rac- says. “You’re asking a lot. .300 average, according to
ing it. If we get to that situation, STATS.
At 42, the Miami Marlins we’re probably not in a Even Barry Bonds is im-
outfielder is the second- very good situation injury- pressed. The home run king
oldest player in the majors, wise. We’ll try to make sure is the Marlins’ new hitting
three months younger than we’re not overusing him.” coach, but don’t look for
Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon, If Suzuki bats .260, he would him to tutor Suzuki much.
according to STATS. need 250 at-bats to reach “When you’re getting close
Suzuki’s productivity de- .300. If he hits .229 again, he to 3,000 hits,” Bonds said,
clined dramatically last would need 284 at-bats. “what do you want me to
year, his first in Miami. Even And will a team give him a tell you?”q
though he played in 153
games due to injuries to
teammates, including slug-
ger Giancarlo Stanton, he
batted a career-low .229.
His .279 slugging percent-
age ranked 230th and last
in among hitters with at
least 325 plate appearanc-
es, and his .561 OPS was
fourth-worst.
It wasn’t a sudden drop off:
Suzuki — who has played
in at least 143 games each
of the past 15 seasons, the
longest such streak in the
majors, according to STATS