# In praise of Ichiro Suzuki **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 19, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502 "2011-05-19T21:13:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/61 "2011-05-31T15:02:25Z")
In looking up the numbers, Ichiro is doing alarmingly poorly this year. Maybe this is it. I hope not. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/62 "2011-05-31T19:34:47Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bUD7XRpTpGw/hqdefault.jpg "Ichiro- The Throw") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUD7XRpTpGw) thats all I have to add ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/63 "2011-06-01T01:32:16Z")
Dwight Evans used to do that routinely. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/64 "2011-06-01T02:17:26Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUD7XRpTpGw](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUD7XRpTpGw) > > thats all I have to add That’s a hell of a throw but, geez, I’ve seen many major league outfielders make equally amazing throws. Dewey Evans has already been mentioned; he made throws that good and better every year. I saw Jesse Barfield make FAR more amazing throws, astounding throws right into the catchers’ glove from deeper than that. Seriously, that qualifies as being called just “The Throw”? I saw Barfield make 25 throws more amazing than that. Back in the 80s there was a rightfielder named Glenn Wilson who played for the Tigers and Phillies and his arm made Ichiro look like a girl. He might actually have been better than Barfield, or was at least close. He’d throw men out at first base from the outfield. He was amazing; I’m honestly surprised he didn’t become a pitcher (full time; he did pitch once in an emergency appearance.) That Ichiro throw would have been nothing to Wilson. Or Rick Ankiel, holy crap: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ElNJzE04YhQ?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/65 "2011-06-01T02:24:35Z")
My favorite Ichiro fact: > [@](#): > > Every year, after the AL manager addresses his team, Ichiro bursts from his locker, a bundle of kinetic energy, and proceeds, in English, to disparage the National League with an H-bomb of F-bombs, stunning first-timers who had no idea Ichiro speaks the queen’s language fluently and making returnees happy that they had played well enough to see the pep talk again. > **[MLB News, Expert Analysis, Rumors, Live Updates, & more - Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/?slug=jp-ichirospeech071508)** > > Sports News, Scores, Fantasy Games ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/66 "2011-06-01T02:44:28Z")
The difference between the Ankiel and Ichiro throws there is that while both are superbly accurate, Ichiro’s is _direct_. Ankiel certainly isn’t any farther away but his arcing throw is marginally slower to arrive. You can get a glimpse of some throws Ichiro made back in the Pacific League [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBDZ9NSpL48&feature=related). ---
**Author:** ![MilTan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@MilTan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MilTan)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/67 "2011-06-01T13:34:37Z")
Yeah, I have to agree with **spark240**. I found Ichiro’s throw to be much more impressive than Ankiels’. The former was a laser, while the latter throws looked like accurate, looping lobs. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/68 "2011-06-01T14:28:55Z")
So long as we’re talking about crazy throws from the outfield—and thanks for linking the video of Ankiel throwing out Willy T—[Dave Parker’s throw in the 1979 All-Star Game](http://mlb.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl_3_1.jsp?w_id=344784&w=/library/open/allstar/qa/79as_parker_carter_350.wmv&pid=false&cid=mlb&fid=350&v=2) really made an impression on me when I was a kid. It helps when the runner isn’t Pete Rose, considering how much of the plate Gary Carter was blocking. Still, to throw from deep in right field to the plate on the fly is pretty impressive. (Thanks to **lauracarr5** for originally linking this video.) ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/69 "2011-06-01T15:10:32Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > That’s a hell of a throw but, geez, I’ve seen many major league outfielders make equally amazing throws. Dewey Evans has already been mentioned; he made throws that good and better every year. I saw Jesse Barfield make FAR more amazing throws, astounding throws right into the catchers’ glove from deeper than that. Seriously, that qualifies as being called just “The Throw”? I saw Barfield make 25 throws more amazing than that. > > Back in the 80s there was a rightfielder named Glenn Wilson who played for the Tigers and Phillies and his arm made Ichiro look like a girl. He might actually have been better than Barfield, or was at least close. He’d throw men out at first base from the outfield. He was amazing; I’m honestly surprised he didn’t become a pitcher (full time; he did pitch once in an emergency appearance.) That Ichiro throw would have been nothing to Wilson. > > Or Rick Ankiel, holy crap: > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElNJzE04YhQ&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElNJzE04YhQ&feature=related) That second one is just awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/70 "2011-06-01T15:15:00Z")
The impressive thing about the second Ankiel throw is that he basically did it off of his back foot. ---
**Author:** ![unwashed\_brain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a9adbd/32.png) [@unwashed\_brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unwashed_brain)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/71 "2011-06-01T15:21:28Z")
Is there a way to add a poll to a thread? It’d be nice if all this discussion could be boiled down to a bar chart. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/72 "2011-06-02T00:49:32Z")
Ichiro’s throw was a laser compared to Ankiel’s because it covered about half the distance. He’s got a very good arm, but that wasn’t that tough a throw. Now, if he was at the [warning track…](http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=13114361&topic_id=7417714) ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/73 "2011-06-02T00:51:24Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > Ichiro’s throw was a laser compared to Ankiel’s because it covered about half the distance. He’s got a very good arm, but that wasn’t that tough a throw. > > Now, if he was at the [warning track…](http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=13114361&topic_id=7417714) Eh.. he should have made the catch. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![unwashed\_brain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a9adbd/32.png) [@unwashed\_brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unwashed_brain)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/74 "2011-06-02T00:53:56Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > Ichiro’s throw was a laser compared to Ankiel’s because it covered about half the distance. He’s got a very good arm, but that wasn’t that tough a throw. > > Now, if he was at the [warning track…](http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=13114361&topic_id=7417714) Meh. Coors Field high altitude effect. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/75 "2011-06-02T01:01:54Z")
Never saw Brad Hawpe make that throw. ---
**Author:** ![unwashed\_brain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a9adbd/32.png) [@unwashed\_brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unwashed_brain)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/76 "2011-06-02T01:16:02Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > Never saw Brad Hawpe make that throw. Never saw Guillen make that throw in a different park. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/77 "2011-06-03T04:01:00Z")
Ichiro’s 200 hits per season streak will end this year. He looks a step slower. His defense has suffered too. May has been historically one of his best months, but he’s still batting around .270. Tonight, the M’s are up 8-0, but he is 0-4 and he left two men stranded on his last AB. if last year was his last great year, is he still a HOFer? I think so, but it’s debatable. Of course, all of MLB is down, even the mighty Pujols, who entered MLB in the same year, so maybe it’s no big deal. ---
**Author:** ![unwashed\_brain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a9adbd/32.png) [@unwashed\_brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unwashed_brain)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/78 "2011-07-01T12:34:19Z")
After a furious June rally, Ichiro has 92 hits at the halfway point of the season. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him pick up 108 hits in the 2nd half and continue his streak of 200-hit seasons. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/79 "2011-07-01T12:59:45Z")
If anyone can do it, he can. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502/80 "2011-07-01T15:17:08Z")
I hope so, because I love him, but truth be told in 2011 Ichiro’s been a pretty lousy player. When he hits .333 he’s great, but hitting .275 he’s not really doing much to help the team. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ichiro-suzuki/582502.md?page=5)