Rockies respect Ichiro’s contribution to the game

DENVER — The Rockies were in little mood to celebrate after dropping a series to the Marlins with a 10-7 loss in Sunday’s finale, but for a young club filled with players who watched Ichiro Suzuki electrify the Major Leagues with his arrival 16 years ago, it was hard not to recognize the momentous milestone they witnessed.

“You focus on winning the game,” manager Walt Weiss said. “The game’s hanging in the balance at that point. But hey, you figured it was going to happen this series at some point. It’s an amazing accomplishment. It’s a lot of hits, in a relatively short period of time.”

• Ichiro triples to reach 3,000-hit milestone • DYK: Ichiro joins 3,000-hit club • Ichiro congratulated by 3,000-hit club members • Ringo: Ichiro’s road to 3,000 paved in Emerald City • Aug. 7 a big day on milestone calendar • Ichiro means everything to Ichi-meter lady • Celebrate Ichiro’s 3,000th hit with 13 great photos • Mariners congratulate Ichiro • Ichi-Rose: Combo batter expands hit story • Ichiro’s player page • Rare feats: 3,000 hits club • Shop for Ichiro merchandiseSights & soundsIchiro’s 3,000th MLB hitRadio calls Ichiro’s 3,000th hitIchiro discusses milestoneA look at the 3,000-hit clubIchiro reaches milestoneIchiro’s historic hit No. 4,257Ichiro highlights The Rockies fell to a game under .500, but the atmosphere in Coors Field all weekend as the baseball world awaited a Mile High milestone from one of the greatest hitters to ever wield a bat helped give two newly contending teams a taste for the kind of meaningful games they’re pursuing.

“I remember watching him growing up as a kid,” said Chris …

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