The True Hit King: Ichiro Suzuki vs. Pete Rose

Published: June 26, 2024

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Last Updated: June 26th, 2024 by Jake Cain

When we talk about the best hitters in the game of baseball, two names are instantly mentioned: Ichiro Suzuki and Pete Rose. Both players amassed some incredible hit totals, and depending on who you ask, each one is named as the all-time hit leader. Join us as we delve into their illustrious careers and examine their impact on the game, statistics, and awards.

Ichiro Suzuki vs Pete Rose — via Stathead

The Beginnings: A Tale of Two Paths

Ichiro Suzuki, born in Nishikasugai-gun, Aichi, Japan, began his professional career in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Orix BlueWave in 1992. His unique pendulum-like swing and incredible speed quickly made him a standout player. By the time he transitioned to Major League Baseball in 2001, Ichiro had already earned seven consecutive batting titles and three MVP awards in Japan.

Pete Rose, on the other hand, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He joined the Cincinnati Reds in 1963 and quickly earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle” for his relentless playing style. A switch hitter who could play multiple positions, Rose’s versatility and competitive spirit were evident from the start, ultimately earning him the NL Rookie of the Year award in his debut season.

Impact on the Game

Both Ichiro and Rose profoundly impacted baseball, but in different ways. Ichiro’s arrival in MLB was groundbreaking as he became the first Japanese position player to make a significant mark in the league. His success opened doors for many Japanese players to follow, and his playing style brought a fresh dynamic to the game. Ichiro was known for his speed, hitting, and defensive prowess, making him one of the greatest contact hitters and defensive outfielders.

Rose’s impact stemmed from his extraordinary hustle and competitive nature. His relentless pursuit of excellence and ability to play multiple positions made him a valuable asset to any team. Rose’s all-out style of play, highlighted by his iconic head-first slides, set a standard for future generations, embodying the spirit of the game.

Statistical Breakdown: A Numbers Game

When it comes to statistics, both players have extraordinary records that speak volumes about their careers. Let’s break down some key stats:

Ichiro Suzuki

NPB Batting Average: .353
MLB Batting Average: .311
NPB Hits: 1,278
MLB Hits: 3,089
Total Professional Hits: 4,367 (2nd most in professional baseball history)
Home Runs: 118 (NPB), 117 (MLB)
Stolen Bases: 199 (NPB), 509 (MLB)
Single-Season Hits Record: 262 (MLB record)

Standard Batting
Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
2001	27	SEA	AL	157	*738*	*692*	127	*242*	34	8	8	69	56	14	30	53	.350	.381	.457	.838	126	316	3	8	4	4	10	*9/DH	AS,MVP-1,RoY-1,GG,SS
2002	28	SEA	AL	157	728	647	111	208	27	8	8	51	31	15	68	62	.321	.388	.425	.813	120	275	8	5	3	5	27	*9/D8H	AS,MVP-17,GG
2003	29	SEA	AL	159	725	679	111	212	29	8	13	62	34	8	36	69	.312	.352	.436	.788	112	296	3	6	3	1	7	*9/H	AS,MVP-23,GG
2004	30	SEA	AL	161	*762*	*704*	101	*262*	24	5	8	60	36	11	49	63	*.372*	.414	.455	.869	130	320	6	4	2	3	19	*9/DH	AS,MVP-7,GG
2005	31	SEA	AL	*162*	739	679	111	206	21	12	15	68	33	8	48	66	.303	.350	.436	.786	113	296	5	4	2	6	23	*9/DH	AS,GG
2006	32	SEA	AL	161	752	695	110	*224*	20	9	9	49	45	2	49	71	.322	.370	.416	.786	106	289	2	5	1	2	16	*98/DH	AS,MVP-15,GG
2007	33	SEA	AL	161	736	678	111	*238*	22	7	6	68	37	8	49	77	.351	.396	.431	.827	122	292	7	3	4	2	13	*8/D	AS,MVP-8,GG,SS
2008	34	SEA	AL	162	749	686	103	*213*	20	7	6	42	43	4	51	65	.310	.361	.386	.747	102	265	8	5	3	4	12	*98/DH	AS,MVP-20,GG
2009	35	SEA	AL	146	678	639	88	*225*	31	4	11	46	26	9	32	71	.352	.386	.465	.851	129	297	1	4	2	1	15	*9/D	AS,MVP-9,GG,SS
2010	36	SEA	AL	*162*	732	*680*	74	*214*	30	3	6	43	42	9	45	86	.315	.359	.394	.754	113	268	3	3	3	1	13	*9/D	AS,MVP-17,GG
2011	37	SEA	AL	161	721	*677*	80	184	22	3	5	47	40	7	39	69	.272	.310	.335	.645	86	227	11	0	1	4	13	*9D
2012	38	TOT	AL	*162*	663	629	77	178	28	6	9	55	29	7	22	61	.283	.307	.390	.696	93	245	12	2	5	5	5	*97/8HD
2012	38	SEA	AL	95	423	402	49	105	15	5	4	28	15	2	17	40	.261	.288	.353	.642	82	142	10	0	0	4	4	9/D
2012	38	NYY	AL	67	240	227	28	73	13	1	5	27	14	5	5	21	.322	.340	.454	.794	113	103	2	2	5	1	1	97/8HD
2013	39	NYY	AL	150	555	520	57	136	15	3	7	35	20	4	26	63	.262	.297	.342	.639	77	178	6	1	6	2	4	*9H8/7D
2014	40	NYY	AL	143	385	359	42	102	13	2	1	22	15	3	21	68	.284	.324	.340	.664	89	122	3	1	2	2	1	*9H/78D
2015	41	MIA	NL	153	438	398	45	91	5	6	1	21	11	5	31	51	.229	.282	.279	.561	58	111	8	0	5	4	1	*9H7/8D1
2016	42	MIA	NL	143	365	327	48	95	15	5	1	22	10	2	30	42	.291	.354	.376	.730	102	123	4	3	3	2	1	H987/D
2017	43	MIA	NL	136	215	196	19	50	6	0	3	20	1	1	17	35	.255	.318	.332	.649	79	65	2	1	1	0	1	*H98/7D
2018	44	SEA	AL	15	47	44	5	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	7	.205	.255	.205	.460	33	9	0	0	0	0	0	7/DH9
2019	45	SEA	AL	2	6	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000	.167	.000	.167	-47	0	0	0	0	0	0	/9
19 Yrs				2653	10734	9934	1420	3089	362	96	117	780	509	117	647	1080	.311	.355	.402	.757	107	3994	92	55	50	48	181
162 Game Avg.				162	655	607	87	189	22	6	7	48	31	7	40	66	.311	.355	.402	.757	107	244	6	3	3	3	11
				G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
SEA (14 yrs)				1861	8536	7907	1181	2542	295	79	99	633	438	97	517	800	.321	.365	.416	.781	113	3292	67	47	28	37	172
NYY (3 yrs)				360	1180	1106	127	311	41	6	13	84	49	12	52	152	.281	.314	.364	.679	88	403	11	4	13	5	6
MIA (3 yrs)				432	1018	921	112	236	26	11	5	63	22	8	78	128	.256	.315	.325	.640	78	299	14	4	9	6	3

AL (16 yrs)				2221	9716	9013	1308	2853	336	85	112	717	487	109	569	952	.317	.359	.410	.769	110	3695	78	51	41	42	178
NL (3 yrs)				432	1018	921	112	236	26	11	5	63	22	8	78	128	.256	.315	.325	.640	78	299	14	4	9	6	3

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/29/2024.

Pete Rose

MLB Batting Average: .303
MLB Hits: 4,256 (Most in MLB history)
Home Runs: 160
Runs Batted In (RBI): 1,314
Stolen Bases: 198
Games Played: 3,562 (Most in MLB history)
At-Bats: 14,053 (Most in MLB history)

Standard Batting
Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
1963	22	CIN	NL	157	696	623	101	170	25	9	6	41	13	15	55	72	.273	.334	.371	.705	101	231	8	5	6	6	0	*4/7	RoY-1
1964	23	CIN	NL	136	558	516	64	139	13	2	4	34	4	10	36	51	.269	.319	.326	.645	80	168	6	2	3	1	0	*4H
1965	24	CIN	NL	162	*757*	*670*	117	*209*	35	11	11	81	8	3	69	76	.312	.382	.446	.828	127	299	10	8	8	2	2	*4	AS,MVP-6
1966	25	CIN	NL	156	701	654	97	205	38	5	16	70	4	9	37	61	.313	.351	.460	.811	115	301	12	1	7	1	3	*45	MVP-10
1967	26	CIN	NL	148	650	585	86	176	32	8	12	76	11	6	56	66	.301	.364	.444	.808	120	260	9	3	1	2	9	*74/8	AS,MVP-10
1968	27	CIN	NL	149	692	626	94	*210*	42	6	10	49	3	7	56	76	*.335*	.391	.470	.861	152	294	11	4	2	4	15	*9/843H	AS,MVP-2
1969	28	CIN	NL	156	731	627	120	218	33	11	16	82	7	10	88	65	*.348*	.428	.512	.940	158	321	13	5	2	6	18	*98/4	AS,MVP-4,GG
1970	29	CIN	NL	159	730	649	120	*205*	37	9	15	52	12	7	73	64	.316	.385	.470	.855	125	305	7	2	0	4	10	*9/87H	AS,MVP-7,GG
1971	30	CIN	NL	160	709	632	86	192	27	4	13	44	13	9	68	50	.304	.373	.421	.793	130	266	9	3	1	3	15	*9/8H	AS,MVP-24
1972	31	CIN	NL	154	*731*	*645*	107	*198*	31	11	6	57	10	3	73	46	.307	.382	.417	.799	134	269	7	7	2	2	4	*7	MVP-12
1973	32	CIN	NL	160	*752*	*680*	115	*230*	36	8	5	64	10	7	65	42	.338	.401	.437	.838	138	297	14	6	1	0	6	*7/H	AS,MVP-1
1974	33	CIN	NL	*163*	*771*	652	*110*	185	45	7	3	51	2	4	106	54	.284	.385	.388	.773	118	253	9	5	1	6	14	*7	AS
1975	34	CIN	NL	*162*	764	662	*112*	210	47	4	7	74	0	1	89	50	.317	.406	.432	.838	132	286	13	11	1	1	8	*57	AS,MVP-5
1976	35	CIN	NL	162	*759*	665	*130*	*215*	42	6	10	63	9	5	86	54	.323	.404	.450	.854	141	299	17	6	0	2	7	*5/H9	AS,MVP-4
1977	36	CIN	NL	*162*	*732*	655	95	204	38	7	9	64	16	4	66	42	.311	.377	.432	.809	115	283	9	5	1	4	7	*5/H	AS,MVP-15
1978	37	CIN	NL	159	731	655	103	198	51	3	7	52	13	9	62	30	.302	.362	.421	.783	119	276	8	3	2	7	6	*5/73	AS,MVP-11
1979	38	PHI	NL	163	732	628	90	208	40	5	4	59	20	11	95	32	.331	.418	.430	.848	130	270	18	2	0	5	10	*3/54H	AS,MVP-15
1980	39	PHI	NL	162	739	655	95	185	42	1	1	64	12	8	66	33	.282	.352	.354	.706	94	232	13	6	4	4	5	*3/H	AS
1981	40	PHI	NL	107	486	431	73	*140*	18	5	0	33	4	4	46	26	.325	.391	.390	.781	119	168	8	3	1	3	5	*3	AS,MVP-10,SS
1982	41	PHI	NL	*162*	720	634	80	172	25	4	3	54	8	8	66	32	.271	.345	.338	.683	90	214	12	7	8	3	9	*3	AS
1983	42	PHI	NL	151	555	493	52	121	14	3	0	45	7	7	52	28	.245	.316	.286	.602	69	141	11	2	1	7	5	*39H/7
1984	43	TOT	NL	121	421	374	43	107	15	2	0	34	1	1	40	27	.286	.359	.337	.696	99	126	11	3	3	1	4	3H7
1984	43	MON	NL	95	314	278	34	72	6	2	0	23	1	1	31	20	.259	.334	.295	.629	82	82	10	1	3	1	3	3H7
1984	43	CIN	NL	26	107	96	9	35	9	0	0	11	0	0	9	7	.365	.430	.458	.888	147	44	1	2	0	0	1	3/H
1985	44	CIN	NL	119	501	405	60	107	12	2	2	46	8	1	86	35	.264	.395	.319	.713	99	129	10	4	1	4	5	*3/H	AS
1986	45	CIN	NL	72	272	237	15	52	8	2	0	25	3	0	30	31	.219	.316	.270	.586	61	64	2	4	0	1	0	3H
24 Yrs				3562	15890	14053	2165	4256	746	135	160	1314	198	149	1566	1143	.303	.375	.409	.784	118	5752	247	107	56	79	167
162 Game Avg.				162	723	639	98	194	34	6	7	60	9	7	71	52	.303	.375	.409	.784	118	262	11	5	3	4	8
				G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
CIN (19 yrs)				2722	12344	10934	1741	3358	601	115	152	1036	146	110	1210	972	.307	.379	.425	.804	124	4645	175	86	39	56	130
PHI (5 yrs)				745	3232	2841	390	826	139	18	8	255	51	38	325	151	.291	.365	.361	.726	101	1025	62	20	14	22	34
MON (1 yr)				95	314	278	34	72	6	2	0	23	1	1	31	20	.259	.334	.295	.629	82	82	10	1	3	1	3

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/29/2024.

Ichiro’s statistical standout is his ability to compile hits and maintain a high batting average across both the NPB and MLB. His consistency in hitting over 200 hits for ten consecutive seasons is unparalleled. Rose, on the other hand, holds the crown for the most hits in MLB history, a record that showcases his longevity and durability in the game.

Awards and Accolades

Both players boast impressive lists of awards and accolades throughout their careers:

Ichiro Suzuki

MLB:
- 10× All-Star (2001–2010)
- AL MVP (2001)
- AL Rookie of the Year (2001)
- 10× Gold Glove Award (2001–2010)
- 3× Silver Slugger Award (2001, 2007, 2009)
- 2× AL Batting Champion (2001, 2004)
- AL Stolen Base Leader (2001)
- MLB Record: 262 Hits in a Single Season
- Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame
NPB:
- 7× All-Star (1994–2000)
- Japan Series Champion (1996)
- 3× Pacific League MVP (1994–1996)
- 7× Golden Glove Award (1994–2000)
- 7× Best Nine Award (1994–2000)
- 7× Pacific League Batting Champion (1994–2000)

Pete Rose

17× All-Star (1965, 1967–1971, 1973–1982, 1985)
3× World Series Champion (1975, 1976, 1980)
NL MVP (1973)
World Series MVP (1975)
NL Rookie of the Year (1963)
2× Gold Glove Award (1969, 1970)
Silver Slugger Award (1981)
Roberto Clemente Award (1976)
3× NL Batting Champion (1968, 1969, 1973)
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame
Major League Baseball All-Century Team

The sheer volume of awards for both players highlights their dominance during their respective eras. Ichiro’s combination of MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Gold Glove Awards, along with his All-Star selections, set him apart as an elite player in both Japan and the United States. Rose’s accolades, including multiple All-Star selections at five different positions and being part of three World Series championship teams, underscore his versatility and winning mentality.

Career Highlights and Records

Ichiro’s Milestones

2001 Season: Ichiro’s debut MLB season was historic. He led the league in batting average (.350) and stolen bases (56), becoming the first player since Jackie Robinson to achieve this feat. Ichiro’s impressive performance earned him both the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year awards.
Single-Season Hits Record (2004): Ichiro broke George Sisler’s 84-year-old record for most hits in a season, finishing with 262 hits. This remarkable achievement solidified his place in MLB history.
3,000 Hits Club (2016): Ichiro joined the exclusive 3,000 hits club, becoming only the second Japanese player to reach this milestone in MLB.

Rose’s Milestones

3,000 Hits Club (1978): Rose became the 13th player in MLB history to reach 3,000 hits, a testament to his consistent performance over the years.
44-Game Hitting Streak (1978): Rose’s hitting streak, which tied Willie Keeler’s record for the longest single-season hitting streak in the National League, showcased his incredible ability to get on base game after game.
All-Time Hits Leader (1985): Rose surpassed Ty Cobb’s long-standing record of 4,191 hits, cementing his legacy as the all-time hit king with 4,256 career hits.

Conclusion: Legacy and Influence

Ichiro Suzuki and Pete Rose are two of the greatest hitters in baseball history, each leaving an indelible mark on the game. Ichiro’s impact as a trailblazer for Japanese players in MLB and his incredible hitting consistency across two major baseball leagues make him a global icon. His accolades and records speak to his skill and dedication to the sport.

Pete Rose’s relentless hustle, versatility, and unmatched hit record define his legacy. Despite the controversy surrounding his gambling, Rose’s influence on the game and his contributions to the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies are undeniable. His competitive spirit and numerous records ensure his place in baseball history.

In the end, comparing Ichiro Suzuki and Pete Rose is like comparing two different art masterpieces. Each player brought their unique style and achievements to the game, and their legacies will continue to be celebrated by baseball fans for generations to come.