No matter where you stand on the issue of counting Ichiro’s 4,000 hits, it’s difficult not to be impressed by the man’s talent and accomplishments. With an approach that makes hitting coaches across the country cringe, the hitting machine is blessed with incredible hand-eye coordination and athletic ability.



He swings at pitches that seem unhittable — even pitches that bounce — and yet he owns more hits during his time in America than anyone, and it’s not even close.



Ichiro is not only a hitter, but a complete player. He’s won 10 Gold gloves, has 10 years of 30 or more stolen bases and few runners dare test his throwing arm from right field. He will be a member of the Hall of Fame one day, most certainly on the first ballot.



Here are a few Ichiro numbers to chew on:



Ichiro By the Numbers



4,000 Total number of hits combined in his 22-year career in Japan and the U.S.



375 More hits for Ichiro than any other major league player during his tenure in the big leagues. Albert Pujols is second with 2,347.



10 200-hit seasons in the majors for Ichiro, tied with Pete Rose for most all-time.



1 Rank all-time in hits for any player for any 13-year period with 2,722. That is 64 more than Pete Rose had from 1968-80, which ranks second.



262 Most hits in any season in the majors, accomplished by Ichiro in 2004.



1, 252 Runs scored in Ichiro’s career, which ranks fourth among all players from 2001-13.



4,922 Combined hits and walks for Ichiro in Japan and the United States. That would rank ninth all-time behind Pete Rose, Barry Bonds, Ty Cobb, Carl Yastrzemski, Rickey Henderson, Stan Musial, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth. Pretty good company.



.320 Ichiro’s career batting average, which ranks third during his career among players with 7,000 plate appearances behind Miguel Cabrera and Pujols.



470 Stolen bases for Ichiro, which is second behind only Juan Pierre during Ichiro’s career.



7 Offensive categories in which Ichiro ranks first in Seattle Mariners history, including: batting average, at-bats, hits, stolen bases, triples, singles and intentional walks. He ranks second in runs, third in total bases and doubles.



1,278 Hits over nine seasons in Japan.



2,722 Hits in the Major Leagues in the U.S., which ranks No. 59 all-time.