Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki made history in Texas on Sunday when he became the first Major League player to hit safely 200 times for nine consecutive seasons. Last season, Mr. Suzuki had tied the 108-year-old record held by Hall of Famer Willie Keeler, who had eight straight 200-hit seasons from 1894 through 1901. We congratulate Mr. Suzuki on his great feat and hope that he will continue to excel in his Major League career.
Mr. Suzuki's 200th hit this season came in the second inning of the second game of a doubleheader in Arlington, Texas, against the Texas Rangers. Mr. Suzuki got an RBI infield single after hitting a slow grounder off Mr. Derek Holland to shortstop Mr. Elvis Andrus and ended up going 2-for-9 in both games. As the shortstop could not make a throw, Mr. John Wilson scored from third with two outs.
In each season since 2001, when Mr. Suzuki joined the Major League, only three to eight players have reached 200 hits. The fact that Mr. Suzuki has achieved this for nine straight years testifies to his excellent hitting skills and true professionalism. This is his second record for the Majors. In 2004, he made 262 hits in a season, breaking the 257-hit record set by Mr. George Sisler in 1920. On Sept. 6, Mr. Suzuki reached another milestone in his Major League career with his 2,000th hit.