Ichiro unofficially passes Cobb with 4,193rd career hit

  • Associated Press
  • Saturday, August 15, 2015 9:57pm
  • SportsSports

ST. LOUIS — It was inevitable that Ichiro Suzuki would unofficially pass Ty Cobb. The standing ovation on the road was more than he’d anticipated.

“They’re high-class fans and I knew that coming in,” Suzuki said through an interpreter after getting his 4,192nd and 4,193rd hits in the Miami Marlins’ 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.

“Obviously, I had to focus on play. But obviously, I was moved.”

The 41-year-old Suzuki knows his baseball history and referenced former St. Louis Browns great George Sisler, who set the major league record with 257 hits in 1920.

“His grave is here, and so it definitely became a special place for me tonight,” Suzuki added.

Suzuki also paid tribute to Cobb, whose 4,191 hits rank second in major league history. On a trip to the Hall of Fame, Suzuki said he touched Cobb’s bat and “read some of the letters he wrote.”

“Now, I want to go back to the Hall of Fame and be able to get to know him more and maybe look at more of his stuff,” Suzuki added.

Suzuki has 2,915 hits in the majors, 38th on the career list, to go with 1,278 hits in nine seasons for the Orix Blue Wave in Japan. He’s not worried about those who might downgrade his pre-majors deeds.

“I think that’s for people to decide and for people to talk about and decide for themselves,” Suzuki said. “There’s nothing really I can do.”

John Lackey (10-7) was dominant into the ninth inning and gave the Cardinals an unexpected bonus with two hits and an RBI.

Mark Reynolds’ three-run home run on a 3-0 pitch from Brad Hand (2-3) in the sixth put the first-place Cardinals ahead by four and Randal Grichuk hit his 15th homer in the first. Rookie Stephen Piscotty had three hits and scored twice, helping the Cardinals win their eighth out of 10.

Lackey allowed two runs on nine hits in 8 1-3 innings to reach double figures in victories for the 12th time in 13 seasons — the exception being 2012, which was lost to injury. He has been especially good at home, going 8-3 with a 1.91 ERA.

Hand (2-3) allowed six runs on 11 hits in six innings, hurt most by the pitch to Reynolds that had too much of the plate.

“You’ve always got to anticipate he’s going to swing at 3-0,” Hand said. “A one-run ballgame, maybe he’s trying to hit the ball out of the ballpark right there.”

Lackey balked home a run in the second but got it back in the bottom half with a two-out broken-bat single for his second RBI of the season. He then added a single in the fourth. The right-hander entered batting just .073 with three hits in 41 at-bats.

Justin Bour ended a 30-game homer drought for the Marlins, who are 0-5 against St. Louis this season and will try to avoid a three-game sweep on Sunday.

The Cardinals are a season-high 34 games above .500 and improved their home record to 44-17.

Hand worked seven innings of two-hit ball at Atlanta in his last start and had allowed one run in 11 innings his first two starts since rejoining the rotation.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.