play ball

Orrin Judd pointed up this story a week or so back.

The hits keep coming for the amazing Ichiro.

Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki has at least one hit in each of the 12 Cactus League games he has played this spring and tacked on a 4-for-4 performance Monday night to spur Seattle to a 12-4 victory over the Rockies at Hi Corbett Field.

He singled, stole second and scored in the first inning; singled home a run in the second; singled, stole second and scored in the fourth; and tripled in the sixth, departing for a pinch-runner.

The Major League's single-season hit king raised his spring average to .579 (22-for-38). The two-time American League batting champion has a .610 on-base percentage, has walked three times and still hasn't struck out. […]

The club record for most hits in a spring is 35, set by Carlos Guillen in 1999.

“It's a lot of fun hitting behind him,” Jeremy Reed said. “It seems like he's always in midseason form.”

Asked if he's ready for the regular season to start, Ichiro said, “I'm not sure yet.”

Today is Opening Day. Ichiro is ready, no doubt; here's hoping his teammates are as well. In that spirit, I offer this Open Letter to the Seattle Mariners.

Remember: More 2001.
2004? Not so much.

—Your fans at Andúnië

Pithy. Should work.

More 2001? You'd like to see the Mariners get knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Wildcard team? ;-)

Hey, we just like to see them make it to the playoffs!