[stepay]

Dude starts the season a couple weeks late, and by June 30 he's got 112 hits and currently has 8 more hits than the second place guy (Aaron Hill). Plus he's batting .373 of course.

This guy is just flat out amazing. It's a shame he didn't start playing in the Major Leagues right at 18 when he started playing in Japan, or Pete Rose would not be the Hit King for long.

I've GOT to go see this guy play in person. I'm going to make it a priority.

[Full Cougar]

He really is a great player. I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure he was on the all-star team every year since he came to play in the MLB. I'm waiting for this guy to drop off but he never does! Didn't he hit an inside the park home run at the last all-star game?

No player in baseball utilizes an advantage of contact and speed like he does. I wouldn't say he is the best hitter of all time, but he has got to be up there.

[stepay]

Yes, he has been an All Star each year and also a Gold Glove winner each year.

Of course 200+ hits each season too.

[Full Cougar]

Originally Posted by stepay

Yes, he has been an All Star each year and also a Gold Glove winner each year.

Of course 200+ hits each season too.

I forgot about his fielding too. Great speed in the outfield takes great routes to the ball. Honestly, an almost perfect all-around lead off hitter. Can get on base and steal another one.

[loco4pablo]

Ichiro is the best player in the game today...don't care what anyone thinks!

[Full Cougar]

Originally Posted by loco4pablo

Ichiro is the best player in the game today...don't care what anyone thinks!

Thats quite a statement. Better than Pujols?

[loco4pablo]

Originally Posted by Full Cougar

Thats quite a statement. Better than Pujols?

Well we can debate who is the best in the game today and we can all make points. But for me personally Ichiro has all the tools and is over all a more well rounded player then Pujols...but that is just my opinion

[Full Cougar]

2009 HITTING STATS-

Pujols-
H- 90
HR- 30
BA- .337
RBI- 77
R- 61

Ichiro-
H- 112
HR- 6
BA- .368
RBI- 18
R- 38

That is just hitting but as far as that goes, Ichiro is a great player and may go down as one of the best contact hitters of all-time. However, I would rather have Albert Pujols in my lineup.

[loco4pablo]

Originally Posted by Full Cougar

2009 HITTING STATS-

Pujols-
H- 90
HR- 30
BA- .337
RBI- 77
R- 61

Ichiro-
H- 112
HR- 6
BA- .368
RBI- 18
R- 38

That is just hitting but as far as that goes, Ichiro is a great player and may go down as one of the best contact hitters of all-time. However, I would rather have Albert Pujols in my lineup.

This is comparing apples to oranges... Ichiro is a lead off hitter and Albert is a production hitter. You also have to consider speed on the bases and glove work. Also you have to look at the line ups they are in and who he has for support... again two total different animals. IMO if I were a GM starting a team, I would go with Ichiro

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by loco4pablo

This is comparing apples to oranges... Ichiro is a lead off hitter and Albert is a production hitter. You also have to consider speed on the bases and glove work. Also you have to look at the line ups they are in and who he has for support... again two total different animals. IMO if I were a GM starting a team, I would go with Ichiro

Yes too different animals...but few GMs if any, would pass up on the run production of Pujols for Ichiro. While I like Ichiro better, if I was starting a team, I could not pass on a hitter like Pujols.

Growing up, I loved watching Pete Rose (another singles hitter), and I liked him more than Johnny Bench (power hitter), but if I owned a team, I would not have passed up on a power hitting catcher to go with a singles hitter.

[stepay]

I love Ichiro (I did start this thread after all), but assuming Pujols is PED-free, I've got to pick him as the best player in baseball. Hit for average and power and is a STELLAR first baseman. I could see making a big case for Ichiro to be second though...his ability is insane.

[Full Cougar]

Originally Posted by loco4pablo

This is comparing apples to oranges... Ichiro is a lead off hitter and Albert is a production hitter. You also have to consider speed on the bases and glove work. Also you have to look at the line ups they are in and who he has for support... again two total different animals. IMO if I were a GM starting a team, I would go with Ichiro

Both have good gloves. You can say they are different types of players, but I think Pujols would be more valuable to my team. He gets more runs, RBIs, and HR than Ichiro. More run production with Pujols.