Miami Marlins: Ichiro Suzuki Sets His Sights on Future, Not Retirement
Even on off days, such as today for the Miami Marlins, Ichiro Suzuki can be found working to improve his game and just like his age, his motivation to succeed is only growing.
While his age might tell one story, Ichiro Suzuki's aspirations and work ethic tell another. Bound for his 25th season in professional baseball, Ichiro looks toward the future and retirement is no where in site. Per the Miami Herald:
"Physically, unless you have some kind of injury, you don't need a break," Ichiro said. "I think mentally you sometimes need a break. But for me, my body is built so that if I don't workout, that's when I put more stress on my body and get more tired."
After nine seasons in the Japan Central League, the Seattle Mariners purchased Ichiro from the Orix Blue Wave. Their gamble immediately paid off as Ichiro joined Fred Lynn as the second player in baseball history to win both the Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in 2001.
Ichiro went on to 10 consecutive All-Star Game appearances and Gold Gloves while winning three Silver Slugger Awards and two batting titles. Shortly after recording his 3000th hit, he finished last season 24th on the all-time hit list.
Reading the list of his accomplishments and hearing the amount of time Irchiro has spent in the major leagues can make any professional ballplayer exhausted. Every ballplayer, except for Ichiro.
Just Keep Playing
His contract with the Miami Marlins expires in two years (if an option is exercised), but Ichiro plans to play beyond 2018. According to the Miami Herald, he hopes to continue playing until he is at least 50 years old, setting his own unique record.
"Nobody knows what the future holds," Ichiro said. "But the way I feel, how I'm thinking, I feel like nothing can stop me from doing it."
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Although they are both 43 years old, Ichiro falls roughly 150 days behind Bartolo Colon as the oldest ballplayer currently in the major leagues. Aside from some courtesy appearances, Julio Franco (49) and Jamie Moyer (49) are the oldest players to be everyday members of a major league roster.
Let's pause for some perspective and think toward a potential future.
Only seven seasons in the major leagues separates Ichiro from his 50th birthday. If everything goes as planned, not only will he become the oldest ballplayer in baseball history, but he has a shot at breaking Pete Rose's all-time hit record.
Already with 3,030 career hits, Ichiro would have to average at least 175 hits over the next seven seasons to pass the 4,256-hit mark.
So when, you might ask, will Ichiro finally settle down?
"When you retire from baseball," he said. "You have until the day you die to rest."