Miami Marlins

Derek Jeter explains what makes Ichiro a 'once in a lifetime' talent

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:08 p.m. ET

Chris Bahr

With Ichiro Suzuki on the cusp of becoming the 30th member of baseball’s 3,000-hit club, Derek Jeter took the opportunity to praise him for a Hall of Fame career.

Writing on The Players’ Tribune, Jeter chronicled his relationship with Suzuki through the years, beginning way back with their first chat at second base when the Japanese-born star knew basically no English. Although, as Jeter noted, the communication barrier didn’t last long. Not with Mariners teammates like Mike Cameron, who taught Ichiro phrases such as “What’s up, my brother from another mother?”

That was 15 years ago and almost 3,000 hits ago. But let it be known that Jeter doesn’t want Ichiro defined merely by a number — not when the 10-time Gold Glover and 2001 AL MVP does so many other things so well. Explains Jeter:

Jeter also marvels at Ichiro’s work ethic, sharing these two anecdotes:

Jeter closes by calling Suzuki “a guy who comes around once in a lifetime.”

Indeed.