Power Pros Forum

If Ichiro had played his entire career in the majors, do you think he would have broken Pete Rose's hit record?

In his 24 year career, Rose compiled 4256 hits. Ichiro only has 2782 hits, but had an additional 1278 in the NPB for a total of 4060. However, in his nine seasons in Japan, he only played 951 games, about 105 per season. In his 13.5 seasons in the MLB, he's played 2120 games, good for an average of 157 per season.

So imagine he didn't play in Japan and came straight to America. If that were the case, he likely would have spent 1992 and 93 in the minors, beginning his career in 1994. If he had averaged 205 hits (his current season average) over those 7 extra seasons, he'd have 4217 hits, needing just 40 more this season to pass Rose.

But maybe his average was a little higher those first seven seasons. I mean after all, he was young, fresh, and just heading into his prime. His first seven years in the majors had him averaging 227 hits per year, so let's bring that down to 220. 220 over 7 years, plus his actual total would net him 4322 hits (and counting).

I think this is one of the biggest "what ifs" in baseball history. Skills wise, Ichiro was the second coming of Rose, except without the mean and overly competitive personality.

Well, you have to take into account that the 1994-1995 seasons were strike-shortened. But I think he could have done it.

With the given scenarios you presented, yes I think he could have.

But the fact remains; he didn't.

Yanks ruined his career imo

He was already washed up when he went to New York