Does Ichiro give up doubles for steals?

[lilconnerpeterson]

I was listening to the Twins-M's game and the Twins announcer said Ichiro is a great player but one knock on him is he won't push for a double so he can pad his steals stat. Has anyone ever heard this before, or is it only in this guys head? It sounds crazy to me.

 

[GrizMontana]

Only if he wants a one-way ticket back to Japan!

 

[BWahlberg]

I was listening to the Twins-M's game and the Twins announcer said Ichiro is a great player but one knock on him is he won't push for a double so he can pad his steals stat. Has anyone ever heard this before, or is it only in this guys head? It sounds crazy to me.

Hmm... I've seen him steal 3rd a lot too, so I don't know how solid that statement is. However as an Ms fan I don't really care too much, until he got picked off recently he'd had a ton of consecutive steals, he's so darn good at it, usually by the 2nd or 3rd pitch to Vidro, Ichiro is on 2nd base.

 

[Grizbacker1]

I was listening to the Twins-M's game and the Twins announcer said Ichiro is a great player but one knock on him is he won't push for a double so he can pad his steals stat. Has anyone ever heard this before, or is it only in this guys head? It sounds crazy to me.

Hmm... I've seen him steal 3rd a lot too, so I don't know how solid that statement is. However as an Ms fan I don't really care too much, until he got picked off recently he'd had a ton of consecutive steals, he's so darn good at it, usually by the 2nd or 3rd pitch to Vidro, Ichiro is on 2nd base.

I am no Mariner's fan, but I love watching Ichiro play the game. He has a flair for the game in everything he does, hitting, running, even his throwing motion is cool. He just flat ass is a baseball player. Anyone know his time down the 1st base line? I heard he is the fastest since Mickey mantle, whihc is saying something.

 

[MrTitleist]

You know, not to knock on Ichiro because he's obviously a pretty good ball player, but I was a little pissed when he won Rookie of the Year. The guy was hardly a rookie, and he hardly came from somewhere that baseball is really foreign. Japan has proven they're a pretty good bunch of ball players, so I hardly think he could have been considered a rookie.. but nonetheless, it happened.

 

[Grizbacker1]

You know, not to knock on Ichiro because he's obviously a pretty good ball player, but I was a little pissed when he won Rookie of the Year. The guy was hardly a rookie, and he hardly came from somewhere that baseball is really foreign. Japan has proven they're a pretty good bunch of ball players, so I hardly think he could have been considered a rookie.. but nonetheless, it happened.

There are plenty of major league players that share your opinion, but baseball is pretty much status quo with that pea brain Selig in charge.

 

[GrizBiz]

Ichiro would stretch every single to a double if he could.

This is just like the folks that criticize Ichiro because he doesn't dive for balls in the outfield or crash into walls going after fly balls. He probably gives up a few hits per year because he doesn't do it, but he also doesn't get beat up and spend time on the DL like the players that dive or crash into walls. In Ichiro's mind, the reward of making a few spectacular diving catches isn't worth the risk of getting hurt and missing a chunk of the season.

Ichiro's job on offense is to A) get on base, B) not make outs and C) score runs. It would not surprise me if he has decided that the downside of getting thrown out trying to stretch some of those singles into doubles isn't worth it. If he can get into the same scoring position with less risk by stealing the base, why risk it? One thing you won't see if Ichiro running himself into many outs.

The guy is the consummate professional and, as GB says he's just a pleasure to watch. I love watching him on high pop flys when there are runers on base - he actually settles back a few yards from where he's going to catch the ball and then strides into the catch. That way, his whole body is already moving toward the infield as he goes into the throwing motion. When he uncorks one of those lasers from the outfield, you can be certain that he set himself up for the throw well in advance.

 

[Zirg]

Ichiro is one of most selfish, stat-obsessed players ever no question. As was said he won't dive for balls, won't risk getting hurt, will rarely take guys out at second. Remember when he bunted for a base-hit late in a tied game with the winning run on second just to extend his hitting streak? now THAT was selfish. It wouldn't surprise me one bit, if he was trying to get his SBs up if he quit trying for doubles.

How many years has he been in America? 5? He still can't speak a word of english. He ran Mike Hargrove into early retirement. It's Ichiro's team, and that's why they'll probably never make the play-offs with a me-first guy running the show. He is a great player, but he's very selfish and it's nice to see that part of him pointed out for once.