From Japan to US, Ichiro born to be a star

Ichiro Suzuki, international hit king and eternal man of mastery, is 42 years old, if you can believe it.

When you combine his nine seminal years building his legend in Nippon Professional Baseball in his home country of Japan and the Hall of Fame-worthy Major League Baseball career he’s had since arriving in Seattle in 2001, he’s got more professional hits than all-time MLB leader Pete Rose managed to scratch out over his 24 seasons in The Show.

And the spry Ichiro is still going.

His 3,000th career hit at Coors Field on Sunday gave him the final milestone he had set out to conquer in this country, one more seemingly superhuman feat of hardball history to muster out of the gracefully aging 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame that has slashed in the batter’s box, sped around the bases and glided through the outfield through so many innings.

Ichiro has finally achieved the exalted round number that in the past has made Cooperstown entry a near-mortal lock, and he’s done it as the elder statesman of a young Marlins team this season, making the most of his at-bats when he gets them as a reserve player and clubhouse sage. The effect he’s had is immeasurable, according to manager Don Mattingly.

• Ichiro triples to reach 3,000-hit milestone • DYK: Ichiro joins 3,000-hit club • To Ichiro, 3,000 hits bigger than 1 person • 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 • Griffey admires Ichiro’s feat from afar • Old foes praise Ichiro’s greatness • 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

“He’s a guy that can fill any hole in any role in the outfield,” Mattingly said. “He brings a lot to our club as far as a guy being a professional and how you go about your work and how you get yourself ready to play. He’s an important part of our club.”

In many ways, he’s just like he’s always been.

It was 1992, and Kelvin Torve had to smile each morning when the kid with all the talent in the world arrived at the Kobe, Japan, ballpark of the Orix Blue Wave for practices and games.

By bicycle.

Torve was a 32-year-old first baseman who had played …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com