Is Ichiro the Hit King?

[Senators26]

Not sure why this is even being made into an argument but I'd like to get your opinion on if Ichiro is the hit king.
 
I have no idea how you could even consider him the hit king unless you have a personal vendetta against Pete Rose, and even then you are basically saying the japanese league is on the same level as the MLB.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

Yeah I don't count the 7 seasons in Japan. You'd need to discount those.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

If so then we need to count Negro League, cuba, and Korea leagues.

No.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

It's like calling Sadaharu Oh the all time home run leader.

 

[snipezo]

No.

Although he's having a respectable season for his age.

 

[elcheato]

I think Ichiro would have broken the record had he started his career in the States, so sure why not 

 

[Big Papi]

Nope. Let's count Pete's minor league hits if we're using Ichiro's non US ones.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I think Ichiro would have broken the record had he started his career in the States, so sure why not 

Should we just assume things from now on? Should we assume Ichiro gets called up to the majors at 20 and gets 210 hits?

 

[elcheato]

Yes, Ichiro is the man 

 

[PWNdroia]

Yeah I don't count the 7 seasons in Japan. You'd need to discount those.

But think if he played those 7 years here.  He probably would've passed Tulo hands down.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Tulo?

 

[A.E]

Baseball standards, yes.... MLB standards, hell no. 
 
Pete needs to STFU though. Ichiro is a class act and has earned every ounce of love and comparison.

 

[catman]

Ichiro has had a hall of fame career, no doubt.  He played 7 years in Japan, with 135-140 game seasons there.  His 1300 hits there are not to be discounted, but the competition in Japan is not as good as the competition in MLB is. 
Ichiro and Pete Rose are both great hitters and both deserve their due.

 

[cruzg24]

Tuffy Rhodes hit 55 home runs in a season in Japan.....

End of discussion

Ichiro is great and wouldve surpassed Rose if he started in the states, but you cant compare.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

Ichiro has had a hall of fame career, no doubt.  He played 7 years in Japan, with 135-140 game seasons there.  His 1300 hits there are not to be discounted, but the competition in Japan is not as good as the competition in MLB is. 
Ichiro and Pete Rose are both great hitters and both deserve their due.

 
So his hits are discounted.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Yea i think we all agree he's in the Hall of Fame, but you gotta discount those hits.

 

[elcheato]

why do you hate Asians, GMF!? 

 

[Phil The Thrill]

I mean you could probably say he'd have 4000 hits if he started in North America, but it is bold to say he'd have more than Rose

 

[brett05]

The hit king is still Rose.  The competition is not the same.  That said, I have no reason to doubt that Ichiro would have had enough hits had he been here from day #1 as he has proven he could hit all pitching.

 

[The Guid]

People keep talking about this "discussion"...but who is really having it? Is anyone really championing Ichiro as hit king? The only reason I've seen it brought up is because people want to have something to debate (i.e. bring traffic to their website or tv show).
 
Ichiro's numbers, in Japan, in MLB, and combined, are truly impressive. That's all that matters.