So we know that Ichiro's been on fire lately, what with getting 49 hits in May and 47 so far in June. But how good has he actually been? Let's take a look.
Games: 66
wOBA: 0.393
bRAA: 17.5
UZR: 6.1
Replacement+positional: 7.1
WAR: 3.1
(#s per fangraphs, not including today's play)
He is so ridiculously good it's unreal. Prorating those numbers to a 154 game season gives 7.2 wins above replacement. If we ignore the injury and give him the 8 games he missed back, the total goes over 7.6. His season so far, especially considering that he started on the DL, is utterly absurd. Ichiro's getting hits like it's 2004 - except for the fact that his slugging percentage has been flirting with .500 for so long that they're about to get settled down and start a family. And this is all after putting up his worst season in three years in 2008.
Last year he hit .310/.361/.386, which led to some premature calls to trade or bench him. After all, you don't want your offensive powerhouse slugging like a bad middle infielder, and it's not like he drew a tonne of walks either. This year, Ichiro listened intently to calls for improved patience from the fans and proceeded to shove them up our collective ass. He's somehow managed a .405 OBP while drawing 5(!) unintentional walks, and it's not like he's being put on base by the opposing team all the time either. He's already at 110 hits, and could probably have made a run at Sisler again were it not for that unfortunate stomach ulcer which forced him to miss eight games in April.
Defensively, he's as good as ever in right field. Comical misplay last night aside, he's running around out there like he's five year's younger, and has even indulged in a few slides to catch balls he started several zip codes from. His 6.1 UZR is despite Ichiro running a negative arm rating for the first time since 2002, which I'm more than content to blame Rob Johnson for. Apart from minor things (like his arm and baserunning issues), Ichiro is having a perfect season. If Griffey being around is giving us happy Ichiro, and happy Ichiro is giving us this, I'm more than happy to keep Jr. around as the tickling coach next year.
5 recs | 62 comments
Every AB he is a joy to watch.
ignacio - June 28, 2009
We are really, really lucky to have had a sure Hall of Famer to watch during the Bavasi years
Graham MacAree - June 28, 2009
I love how some people on the radio still question whether he'll get into the Hall.
If they don’t understand why Ichiro’s a once-in-a-lifetime player, I don’t want to hear what they have to say. Is there a spot in the HOF for Tickle Coach? Griffey could get in there twice.
Hopefulmsfan - June 28, 2009
You should spend some time at BBTF.
There you’ll see a number of very intelligent sabermetrics guys arguing furiously that Ichiro doesn’t belong anywhere near the HoF.
esoteric - June 29, 2009
Which is a pretty bad advertisement for BBTF
Graham MacAree - June 29, 2009
God, I love this man.
joof - June 28, 2009
The last month or two with him and Felix has been unbelievable.
We have the hottest hitter and pitcher in the game right now. It’s been unbelievable to watch.
And Griffey’s the front runner for Tickler Of The Year.
dbroncos31 - June 28, 2009
I should probably mention that Gutierrez is on pace for a 5 WAR season too
Graham MacAree - June 28, 2009
I just sat and read that again and again for nearly a minute. He's really something isn't he?
Kermit. - June 28, 2009
He's like Mike Cameron+bleach
I Lick Squirrels - June 28, 2009
Minus power plus contact
but yeah… although I think Cammy gets the edge here.
Bearskin Rugburn - June 28, 2009
He isn't a free agent until 20-fucking-13!!!!!
Decatur - June 28, 2009
I mean 2014!!! We control his rights through the 2013 season!
yay Cot’s!
Decatur - June 28, 2009
Allstar?
OlSalty - June 28, 2009
9th in WAR for AL outfielders
So probably not, but close
Graham MacAree - June 28, 2009
Griffey's going to the game. Where does he rank again?
Bearskin Rugburn - June 28, 2009
Griffey says he is going to the Bahamas.
Per Drayer, he keeps loudly announcing what Ichiro is supposed to bring back from the ASG for him.
msb - June 29, 2009
If he was on the Red Sox, he would be.
But seriously, he keeps this up, it’s only a matter of time.
Hopefulmsfan - June 28, 2009
In a year or two as his power improves I think he will be easily
OlSalty - June 28, 2009
Imagine if he could hit.
Poochie - June 28, 2009
He's been an above average hitter this season
Graham MacAree - June 28, 2009
.740 OPS now
OlSalty - June 28, 2009
I can't tell if I was being sarcastic.
Poochie - June 28, 2009
The young Ichiro meets Griffey in 1996 or so video never gets old.
Awesome.
Decatur - June 28, 2009
They need to play part of this between innings at Safeco.
mark sobba - June 28, 2009
Just so the average fan needs to understand Ichiro and Griffey have known each other for awhile and all that stuff.
mark sobba - June 28, 2009
Just watched it for the first time
Kickass
Fett42 - June 28, 2009
The one with Ichiro and Michael Jordan is pretty sweet too
Fett42 - June 28, 2009
That video is so cash.
Fearless Frog - June 28, 2009
I like his tom sweatshirt.
Slow Country - June 29, 2009
I like the version with MJ better
Super
langer11 - June 29, 2009
Note: Actually fun!
Sub-note: Actually numbers!
CapSea - June 28, 2009
Great post-jump picture.
Eyebrows - June 28, 2009
Three ice creams? Daaaamn
OlSalty - June 28, 2009
One for each WAR.
Decatur - June 28, 2009
Who, oh, who can Jr train up to be next years designated Ichi-tormentor?
msb - June 28, 2009
They're gonna get punched in the face.
joof - June 28, 2009
GUTI!
Hopefulmsfan - June 28, 2009
Rob Johnson's up to the task
Bearskin Rugburn - June 28, 2009
If God has any remorse Rob Johnson won't be on the team next year
gregrabble - June 28, 2009
I hope Rob Johnson tries to ticle Ichiro and Ichiro retaliates by shredding his intestines with a samurai sword.
CapSea - June 28, 2009
Fuck it who are we kidding Griffey's on the team next year
Bearskin Rugburn - June 29, 2009
I've loved how
his in season ROS ZIPS has shifted from, he’s still gonna drop off a cliff to, OK he’s still Ichiro! Now predicts a .322 AVG, earlier it was a .30X AVG. Yes, I’m quoting AVG, because in Ichiro’s case it means something, as in a .330 Ichiro is better than a .300 Ichiro.
chrisisasavage - June 28, 2009
A.330 version of hitter x is always better than a .300 version of hitter x
seattlebruin - June 29, 2009
Hmmm....
Avg/OBP/SLG
Player T1: .330/.360/.450 Lots of singles…
Player T2: .300/.410/.600 Lots of BBs/IBBs and XBHs…
I don’t think “always” means what you think it does but I get what you’re trying to say.
;-)
PositivePaul - June 29, 2009
How are T1 and T2 at all the same hitter?
patsfan - June 29, 2009
Barry Bonds?
I Lick Squirrels - June 29, 2009
No, Paul. You have twisted the words and ignored the meaning.
Unless you seriously claim there’s an example where hitting for 30 points of higher batting average resulted in a 80 point drop in patience and a 180 point drop in slugging.
Matthew - June 29, 2009
Tickling coach.
That’s pretty funny.
Ichiro is on an epic rampage but never mind his hitting. He’s just so damn good at every little detail of baseball. We are really lucky to be able to watch this every day. There probably won’t be another like him.
Big Jared - June 28, 2009
Still one of the highlights of this season.
Was Griffey hitting a HR and Ichiro hitting a GS in the same game against the Angels. Perfection.
Hopefulmsfan - June 28, 2009
I want griffey to be my tickling coach
forte40 - June 28, 2009
I'd prefer Branyan, myself.
I Lick Squirrels - June 28, 2009
Also of note:
Graham MacAree - June 28, 2009
He's obviously talking about a team with a starting outfield of Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Ken Griffey Jr. in their respective primes.
There’s no other explanation. Other than mental retardation, perhaps.
I Lick Squirrels - June 28, 2009
When did he say this?
Poochie - June 28, 2009
1998
CapSea - June 28, 2009
.
Linky
CapSea - June 28, 2009
3 Mariner players and a Mariner's Manager in that article.
Crazy
joof - June 29, 2009
He's an amazing dude...
When the spotlight’s not solely on him, he can do pretty much whatever he wants. It’s like he was transported from the early 1900s or something. Like a Shoeless Joe or Nap Lajoie, Ty Cobb, or something…
PositivePaul - June 29, 2009
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