Ichiro sets mark for combined runs by Japanese player
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki broke the all-time runs mark for a Japanese player during Saturday's 8-0 win over the Washington Nationals.
Suzuki, who singled with two outs in the eighth inning off right-hander Rafael Martin, scored on Adeiny Hechavarria's three-run homer to left.
The 41-year-old has 1,310 runs over 15 big-league seasons. With the Orix Blue Wave of Japan, he scored 658 times. His 1,968 runs top Sadaharu Oh, who played for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball from 1959-80.
"I don't think it's fair to compare the runs because when he played there were 130 games and he actually had 868 of it by himself on homers," Suzuki said through interpreter Allen Turner. "His record is much greater than mine."
This past offseason, Suzuki signed a one-year deal to be the ballclub's fourth outfielder, but with Gold Glover Christian Yelich on the 15-day disabled list, he has filled in as the starter. Suzuki has appeared in all 18 games, batting .286 with seven runs and one RBI. He is 144 hits away from 3,000.
In the top of the ninth, the team announced Saturday's achievement on the jumbotron. Fans and teammates gave him a standing ovation before Suzuki, who was playing in left field, acknowledged them by tipping his cap.
"I think what I'm most happiest about is you have teammates and fans that acknowledge it and might even know more about me than I do about my own records," Suzuki said. "That's what makes the record special. There's been past (times) when it wasn't as much celebration to have my teammates know about it and also the fans to give me that ovation… It doesn't make it a happy situation if your teammates aren't happy for you. Obviously for my teammates to be happy and to let me know, that means a lot to me."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
