What's up with Ichiro?

[trevisc]

I know he has 4 steals but I didn't get the boy so he could hit .270!

anybody know if he's hurting or what?

i've looked for news articles but can't find any. Any links/articles/news about ichiro would be appreciated!

[Y`s Guy]

Let's face it...no one is afraid of a 140 lb asian dude anymore. I just packaged him and Glavine for Posada and McGriff.

[BobbyRoberto]

I've watched most of the M's games on TV and there's no signs that he's hurting. He's 5 for his last 13 (.385) in his last 3 games and they have a weekend series versus the Tigers, so maybe he'll bump the average up over .300 by Sunday evening. One interesting thing with Ichiro is that he's walking more than he ever did in his first 2 years. He already has 10 walks. His first year (when he hit .350), he had 30 walks in over 700 plate appearances.

[cloverhurstdawg]

Those Ichiro stats from his rookie year bode well for Baldelli. I know it's off topic, but it struck me.

[bleach168]

Not to rain on your parade but Ichiro only struck out 53 times in 2001. Badelli is on pace to strike out 170 times.

[HYLRedSox]

I'm sure he won't hit .270 all year, he'll probably get that up to a solid .310, .320. I just think pitchers have figured him out. The great hitters reconfuse the pitchers, so I think this is a big year to determine really how good of a hitter Ichiro really is.

[sinicalypse]

i agree with the last poster, i think pitchers figured him out. his game is more speed than power, so when he's not on base as much, his steals suffer.

i drafted him in the 1st round, like pick #8 last season... i rue that pick. he hit .320 with 30 steals, which is far from .350 with 50 steals, which i wanted to get as a cornerstone for my speed.

that said, i think you can expect better #s from juan pierre, luis castillo, or dave roberts at least for steals. ichiro isn't a special hitter like we all thought he was in '01, so trade him or acquire him as such.

[Justise]

Plus with lou pinella gone the mariners don't play so agressive anymore.

[trevisc]

wow! a lot of different view points here. I think i'll hold on to him for now and see if he continues to raise his average up.

[gmonkey]

Let's face it...no one is afraid of a 140 lb asian dude anymore. I just packaged him and Glavine for Posada and McGriff.

HA HA HA HA HA!!!! ROTFLMAO!!!!

I just wanted say something to the guy who made the stupidest trade in his fantasy league this year! What's he batting since you traded him?? .390, .400??? Dude, you traded a .339 BA with 18 SB (as of 6/16) for two people batting around .240! Nice, you should scout in the majors.

And what does his race have to do with anything? Ignorance on so many levels...

As Bret Boone said, "When most people are in a slump, they bat .230. When Ichiro is in a slump, he bats .270. He'll be just fine." Looks like he, and everyone who know baseball, were right.

Believe me, he is still feared...in the batters box, on the base paths, and in the field.

Way to go...