Ichiro signs $2 million, 1-year deal to remain with Marlins

Ichiro is lucky they are keeping him, his numbers do not warrant signing him and if it were any other player on the planet they would be a free agent. Age is catching up with Ichiro and for a man with as big an ego as he has I am surprised that he is still able to face the fact that his days of playing quality baseball are over. It's only about the record now, nothing more, nothing less, and the Marlins want the publicity that will be attached with Ichiro getting the 3,000 hits.

Amazing man.

I am surprised that he is still able to face the fact that his days of playing quality baseball are over

Actually, Ichiro has always been saying that he wants to continue playing until 50. Not possible, I'm sure, but he does a good job of maintaining his body. He hit almost 90 miles an hour when he pitched that one inning the other day.

Kind of sad to see him in decline like this, he was such an amazing player in his prime. The article doesn't mention it, but his combined NPB and MLB totals are pretty close to Pete Rose's all time record. It won't count, but what a milestone that will be.

It won't count, but what a milestone that will be.

It WILL count in Japan, just as the Japanese do not see Bonds as being the world record holder for homeruns, Oh is the holder to Japanese with having something like 870 homeruns, far more than Bonds.

The same will be for Ichiro, the Japanese media will play it up for all it's worth and proclaim Ichiro the "WORLD" record holder. Many Japanese like to believe that their brand of baseball is on par or better than MLB.

Watch the "countdown" media frenzy begin.

I'm glad he's got his shot at 3k hits in the US. Next stop... Cooperstown.

Continue playing in the U.S. as long as possible, Ichiro-san. Then be a coach and next a manager there. Judging from recently footage of his pitcher job, he seems show great initiative and have fit into the team really well. I've seen some American managers in Japan but not vice versa. I'd love to see him accomplish another unprecedented feat.

It WILL count in Japan

Very true, I just meant that it won't officially be counted in the MLB record books. I am really excited for him to achieve what will really be a new category of record - most combined MLB/NPB hits.

The Guinness world records will count it too since they have no creed nor color against records that was set in two seperate leagues.

Obviously 3,000 hits is a major milestone in itself and Ichiro only needs 65 more to get there. I think the fans will appreciate that fact. It's an exclusive club with only 30 players, of which only the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez is still active. And only two US players, Pete Rose and Ty Cobb, exceeded 4,000 hits, which Ichiro has already accomplished if you add the total of his US and Japan records (4,213). So while Ichiro's total hit record will carry an asterisk, he's got a good chance of surpassing Rose's all-time record of 4,256 hits. That's a hell of an accomplishment.

/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3,000_hit_club

Ichiro deserves the chance to get 65 hits and I am sure he will get it. He may be a bit egotistical, but think about the Japanese media on his 'front porch' every day bugging him. I imagine he is perceived differently in the eyes of the America media. His goods that will be bought by fans will probably pay that 2 million dollar contract. I am excited for the countdown and imagine it will be an emotional time! Enjoy Ichiro Suzuki's last season in 2016. Cooperstown will be his next big accomplishment. Like Derek Jeter, he will have 'sayonara' games at stadiums he will not play in again.

Ichiro,

The ONE player I can trust that has never used drugs to help him in his record breaking career. He has become my most favorite player for this.

Wonderful athlete and 'ambassador' for Japan. His numbers do not warrant a resign but consider the fact that he may reach 3,000 hits as a Marlin and the Japanese fan/media-base that follows him wherever he plays. They will recoup the $2 mil and more in no time at all. Marketing and money. Still a great player, though.

@Kizrow Ichiro is not on the same level when you talk about baseball legends in the US maybe in Japan but not close. Yes he is a good player but not a Yankee legend. Derek Jeter is like Michael Jordan in basketball. That comparison is like comparing Yao Ming to Bill Russel not even close even though Yao was a good basketball player. Bill Russel is a Biston Celtics legend. Derek name will be forever mention with Yankee greats BAbe Ruth Lou Gerig,Ty Cobb etc Ichiro wasted his years in Seattle and will be one of the few stars from Japan not wearing a championship ring even a Matsui has one so that has to be killing aichiro ego!

He made fun of it, but the pitching wasn't too bad at all. Many pitchers are converted outfielders so it wouldn't be impossible if he wanted to try it again. He hadn't pitched in how many years and was that good? Imagine if he did it more, maybe he has a new career?

Ichiro is all about the personal numbers, its very unlikely hell win a world series. He should have gone to a team that had a chance of winning it while he was in his prime. Now hell just be remembered as All Star who never got a ring

Ichiro was still a solid outfielder this season, snagging whatever came his way. If he can get his batting back in form, he could be a top-notch player once again. But age is against him and surely his eye-bat coordination is slipping as he gracefully ages. One thing's for sure ... we'll once again be seeing plenty of Marlins games on TV next season. If so, just hope they do better than they did this season. Hope Stanton comes back healthy ... and goes back to hitting those long home runs again.

It is really hard to believe Ichiro is going to be 42 ! I watched him play several high school games in Nagoya years ago ! I am getting old !

Good on him and hope he enjoys it before he calls it quits. I admire his game and respect him but to be honest not familiar or have seen his egotistical side. Perhaps there's a difference between how the Japanese and U.S. media treat or portray him.

Hard to believe he's going to be 42 indeed, and while his age is definitely showing in his performance, he's still in darn good shape for his age. He SHOULD really drop it, though, and quit while he's ahead before he ends up being too much of a washout, but I think Yubaru hit is dead on with why the man is still continuing. It's sad that he's so arrogant, and I think he honestly believes that it's 100% about (arrogant) attitude and that such an attitude will beat age, when it won't.

He's lucky the Marlins signed him on again, in all honesty.

It's sad that he's so arrogant, and I think he honestly believes that it's 100% about (arrogant) attitude and that such an attitude will beat age, when it won't.

It won't. But such arrogance or whatever you label it is inherent in all great athletes who most of them played waaay past their prime. Ichiro isn't the first one and certainly won't be the last.

For a 1-year $2 million paycheck, knowing he only has a few paychecks left in life, I'd do the exact same thing as him. And keep on doing it as long as they would be willing to write the check. Who cares about reputation - it's about banking as much money as possible at the end, to go into the next stage of life with as much as possible.

It's sad that he's so arrogant

I think Derek Jeter disagrees with you.

nigelboy: " But such arrogance or whatever you label it is inherent in all great athletes who most of them played waaay past their prime. Ichiro isn't the first one and certainly won't be the last."

No, it's not inherent in all great athletes, and hence it is arrogance.

No, it's not inherent in all great athletes, and hence it is arrogance.

Stop with this nonsense smith. Many of the greatest athletes played waaaay past even their mediocre years.

You said ALL great athletes in regard to arrogance. Don't backtrack again.

Players who came from Japan prefer eastern teams. Suzuki is same. Angels no longer be able to lure players by explaining DLand. has DWorld. Suuki will be fine. At least he is not in cold NY Just eastern teams do not gine good salary arbitration like Angels and Dodgers. Over in West. there are many who are playing with 20 M a year for 20 years contract. He gets only 2 M like West A or AA players I knew Eastern teams gon;t pay like Dodgers or Angels when Yanks signed Tanaka but,,,,,

You said ALL great athletes in regard to arrogance. Don't backtrack aga

I didn't. I qualified the initial statement with "who most of them". I subsequently stated that "many" play waaaay past their "mediocre' years.

The sport news say Marlin signed him for 2017, too. It seems that Marlins valued his vigorous defence skill as an outfielder. he was jumping to catch frys to end innings like he is as old as Trout or Harper.