Ichiro Suzuki, the baseball pioneer who proved 15 years ago that Japanese hitters could succeed in Major League Baseball, reached a hallowed milestone Sunday when he became the 30th player to compile 3,000 hits.

Suzuki, a Miami Marlins outfielder, tripled to right field against the Colorado Rockies to join one of the most elite groups in baseball in his 16th season in the big leagues. Pete Rose, the career hits leader, is the only other player to collect his 3,000th hit by his 16th season.

Suzuki is the first player from Japan to reach 3,000 hits and just the fourth player born outside the contiguous United States to do so. He joins Roberto Clemente, who was from Puerto Rico; Rod Carew, from Panama; and Rafael Palmeiro, from Cuba. Suzuki is also the first player to reach 3,000 hits while playing for the Marlins.

The hit came as the Marlins chase a playoff spot. They were 58-52 entering Sunday’s game, tied for second in the National League wild-card race.