Might Ichiro Hit .400?
Usually we cringe when sports commentators suggest wildly hypothetical milestones. It was one of these that finally turned us off of sports radio. The Cincinnati Bengals were 2-0, and the host said "Here's what we are going to talk about this hour--can the Bengals go undefeated?" Of course, in theory, they could have (they didn't, finishing 6-10). Hell, in theory, anything is possible. The Devil Rays could go undefeated! Pokey Reese could hit 80 home runs! Our cousin could find a full-time job!
But with Ichiro, it isn't pointless speculation. Consider this: In 371 at-bats last year, from July to October, he hit .423. This incredible run came after he made, according to the P-I, a slight adjustment in his batting stance. According to the Times, Ichiro made yet another adjustment this offseason. This spring he is hitting .519 and has a 17-game hitting streak.
As the USS Mariner folks point out, one shouldn't put much stock in spring training stats. Our own observation is that players who are hot in the spring often slump in April. Is Ichiro's spring performance an abnormal hot streak, or a harbinger of the batting performance of the century? Ichiro will start answering that question on Opening Day, one week from today(!) at Safeco Field against Minnesota. Buy tickets.
