Season 17 in the USA


Want proof that time does fly? Ichiro Suzuki is in camp with the Marlins, preparing for his 17th major league season! Already a lock for our Baseball Hall of Fame, he showed he was far from done in 2016, when he played 143 games and batted .291. And of course, he made history reaching and passing 3000 hits in North America; currently 25th on the all-time list, he's 23 shy of Rod Carew, whose total he'll probably pass by Mother's Day -- and whose hitting style, empasizing contact over power, he most emulates. On a club with a young and talented starting outfield of Giancarlo Stanton, Marcel Ozuna and Christian Yelich, Ichiro proved to be the ideal fourth man -- especially with Stanton's knack for missing time with injuries. The man's durability is legendary -- he has never been sidelined with knee, shoulder or wrist problems. His only trip to the Disabled List was due to a bleeding ulcer! At an age when players with his resume are coaching, broadcasting or building financial empires, Ichiro remains a must-see player -- whose work ethic, much like that of his skipper Don Mattingly -- is an example his younger teammates ought to study.
These images are from the Marlins/Mets game last August 30th.

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