The Hit Heard Around the World; # 4,000 For Ichiro Suzuki

In last night's 4-2 Yankee win over the Toronto Blue Jays, Yankees Outfielder and future Hall of Famer (in my eyes) Ichiro Suzuki recorded his 4,000th professional career hit, as he smacked a first inning line drive passed a diving Brett Lawrie at 3B off of R.A. Dickey, making him just the third player to reach that mark in professional baseball alongside the legendary 'Georgia Peach' Ty Cobb and the gambler himself, Pete Rose.

Ichiro's 4,000th hit was special in plenty of ways. When every member on the active Yankee roster, coaches included, all poured out from the top of the dugout steps to join him at first base in celebration of the historic milestone, #31of course felt a bit embarrassed. However in a post game interview Ichiro admitted; "Having the 4,000th hit was important, but what is going to make it the most special moment was the fact that the players, my teammates, came out. When I look back on this , that's what's going to make this very special."

The game, and rightfully so, had been halted so that all the players, fans, and the baseball world could show their respect to Ichiro and thank him for allowing them to witness a once in a lifetime type of moment.

Ichiro, who showed mutual signs of respect by tipping his helmet and bowing to the fans, his teammates, and even R.A. Dickey has now compiled 2,722 hits in the Major League and 1,278 in Japan's Pacific League.

As humble a man as anyone else, Ichiro said "[Mine] is a record that is from two leagues. Those guys [Rose/Cobb] did it in one league. I don't think you have to put me in that same category as them."

Let's not let Ichiro sell himself short. In 13 season in America, Ichiro has a career .320 batting average, 470 stolen bases, 10 MLB All Star Appearances, 10 gold gloves, and has recorded the most hits of any professional player ever over a 13 year period... Hall of Fame Bound? I think so.

Also, let's not undermine the Pacific League over in Japan. Bobby Valentine, one of the most respectable figures in the MLB once said "Every everyday player in Japan can play in the MLB."