Moving to Miami and a Shot at 3000

In 2-1/2 years as a Yankee, Ichiro Suzuki did a good job of proving that his career wasn't over. While no longer the superb hitting machine from his first years as a Mariner, his disciplined approach -- and consistently good health -- made him a near-regular in the Bronx. Now, after a .284 season at age 40, he heads to Miami, where he'll be the Marlins fourth outfielder while talking aim at the 3000 hit mark. He's just 156 away -- and barring an injury, who'd bet against him reaching it? An even more impressive number is 135 -- the number he needs to pass Pete Rose for career hits. With Rose still barred from the Hall of Fame, maybe the Commissioner's office would be happier if the Hit King (even if an aggregate of Japan and North America) title belonged to someone without baggage.
It's fair to say he's a lock to become the first Japanese player who'll be enshrined in Cooperstown.

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