Ichro Hits 3000

Ichiro Suzuki reached 3,000 combined hits in the major leagues and the Japanese League with a first-inning single Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers.

Only one player in Japanese League history reached 3,000 hits: Isao Harimoto with 3,085. A total of 27 players have compiled at least 3,000 hits in major league history.

“That’s a tremendous achievement for the short time he’s been over here,” Mariners manager Jim Riggleman said before the game. “I think that’s the most (hits) anyone’s ever had in that period of time.”

Asked to list the factors behind Ichiro’s achievement, Riggleman said, “Number one, it’s his talent. You’ve got to have longevity, can’t have too many injuries, can’t miss a lot of playing time.”

Riggleman said the feat should not be downgraded because Ichiro had more than 1,200 hits in Japan.

“Not at all,” Riggleman said. “The hits he accumulated over here exceeded what he did over there. He’s understanding the magnitude of it. It’s really weighed on him. He realizes how few people have done it.”