Ichiro Suzuki

Only this one made history -- a hit cheered around the world.

Suzuki set the major league record for hits in a season Oct. 1, breaking George Sisler's 84-year-old 257 mark with a pair of early singles as the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 8-3.

Suzuki chopped a leadoff single in the first inning, then put himself in the record book with a bouncer in the third.

Fireworks exploded after Suzuki's big hit reached the outfield, creating a haze over Safeco Field, and his teammates mobbed him at first base.

George Sisler

Suzuki ran to the first-base seats and shook hands with Sisler's 81-year-old daughter, Frances Sisler Drochelman, and other members of the Hall of Famer's family.

"My father would have been delighted," Drochelman said later. "He would be so happy to know such a fine young man was doing so well."

Suzuki's first-inning single was his 919th hit in the majors, breaking the record for most hits over a four-year span. Bill Terry of the New York Giants set the previous record of 918 hits from 1929-32.

Ichiro ended the season with 262 hits.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 9, 2004
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