Ichiro ties Babe Ruth on all-time hits list

Miami Marlins Ichiro Suzuki has been dreaming for a 3,000th combined hit in his Major League career. After a long journey, he has finally graded up with legendary New York Yankees slugger Babe Ruth on Tuesday. At a home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Suzuki, who was in the starting lineup as No. 8 hitter and center fielder, had two hits in four at-bats.

Suzuki registered his career hit No. 2,873, tying Babe Ruth. According to the MLB.com, Suzuki and Ruth ranked at a joint 42nd in combined individual hits.

MLB.com forecast that should Suzuki who had hit 29 this season maintain current pace he can add 49-75 more hits this year. Since debuting at Major League in 2001, he has recorded more than 200 hits annually for 10 consecutive years. If he plays until next year, the dominant view is that Suzuki can surpass 3,000 hits in the shortest time span in Major League history, and become the first Japanese to enter the Hall of Fame. There are 28 players in Major League who have hit 3,000 hits so far.

Meanwhile, before the start of the game Tuesday, Suzuki gave a necktie to new manager Dan Jennings who gave up his job as general manager to move into the dugout for his first game. It was a humorous present since Jennings always had a tie on while as a general manager and for the first time changed to a uniform.

kjs0123@donga.com