Ichiro Suzuki: Silent Hitting Machine

Ichiro Suzuki entered the league just nine years ago. He won the A.L MVP and the Rookie of the Year in his first year while leading the Mariners to 116 wins (a MLB record).

He averages over 200 hits per season and a career batting average of .331. In 2004 Ichiro broke the most hits in a single season with 262.

He owns the record for most hits in a four-year span. Between 2001 and 2004 Ichiro got 922 hits. He has also appeared in eight straight All-Star games.

In-human at the plate, Ichiro is also a "Beast" on the field. Ichiro has won a gold glove for right field each year of his career.

Ichiro is now in the middle of his longest hitting streak of his career, 27 games. The big question is, how far can he go?

In 2004 Suzuki hit .450 in a 56 game span. During Joe Dimaggio's 56-game hit streak he hit .405.

With the speed and quickness out of the box, Ichiro always is a threat to beat out infield hits. His unusual batting stance also gives him an upper edge.

Ichiro has all the tools to continue his streak for much more games. Tony Kornheiser, host of ESPN's P.T.I gives him 42 games. His partner Michael Wilbon said he will hit less than 35.

With the NBA and NHL finals going on it gives Ichiro time to rack up the hits without media watching him 24/7. Ichiro, playing in Seattle, doesn't get as much television time as the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, and Cubs players do.

You can say Ichiro is the best kept secret in the Majors. You could also argue one of the best players.

Ichiro is a very humble player and plays with a great passion. He reminds me of a Japanese version of Roberto Clemente.

Who knows what might happened? He could go for 57 or may be done at 28.

In 2005 Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies hit in 36 consecutive games. That's still 20 games until Dimaggo's 56.

Ichiro will have to hit until July 7, in which he will be at 56 games. The record for now remains untouched and safe.

Ichiro will go to continue his streak on June 5 against the twins. Ichiro will be facing Fransisco Liriano. Ichiro has faced him 15 times previously and is batting .400 against him.