DYK: Ichiro joins 3,000-hit club

Ichiro Suzuki became just the 30th member of baseball’s 3,000-hit club on Sunday, recording a triple against Colorado’s Chris Rusin in the seventh inning of the Marlins’ 10-7 win at Coors Field.

The hit came on the 17th anniversary of Wade Boggs’ memorable homer for his 3,000th hit on Aug. 7, 1999 — a feat that Suzuki missed by mere inches himself. It also marked a capstone of a remarkable career that has seen the 42-year-old etch his name in the history books of two professional baseball leagues, formulate a legend in two countries and inspire tens of millions of baseball fans.

So how does one define Ichiro’s incredible tenure — and, now, 3,000 hits — in the Major Leagues? Here are just a few ways to understand his stellar career just a little better:

• Ichiro joined Hall of Famer and current Twins manager Paul Molitor as the only members of Club 3,000 to get their momentous hit on a triple. Molitor did so against the Royals on Sept. 16, 1996.

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• Ichiro enjoyed a lengthy and successful career in Japan before signing with the Mariners and debuting as a 27-year-old in 2001. That’s by far the oldest debut for a player with 3,000 hits, passing Boggs, who was about two months shy of his 24th birthday when he played his first game with the Red Sox in 1982.

Of the previous 29 members of the 3,000-hit club, seven debuted as teenagers, and 23 debuted before turning 22.

• With that late start in mind, Ichiro is the second-oldest player to reach 3,000 hits, at 42 years, nine months and 16 days. Only Cap Anson (45 years, …

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