When former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter entered the MLB Hall of Fame with a 99.75% ballot in 2020, no one stood surprised. Watching the Big Apple’s heart walk into Cooperstown felt only natural. However, despite his massive fanbase in the boroughs of Manhattan, the debate on Jeter’s accolades on the field will never disappear. While Mr. November or Captain Clutch may be considered among the most significant defensive stars in Yankees history, a recent question raised by a fan page left multiple die-hard Pinstripe and Derek Jeter fans in a giant dilemma.
New Jersey-born Jeter and Japanese-born Ichiro Suzuki shared the New York Yankees clubhouse for two seasons before Jeter bid adieu to the world of baseball. All through the span of his 19-season-long MLB career, Suzuki was a sensation in the outfield. Now, a fan page called BaseballHistoryNut raised an interesting question comparing the two MLB superstars.
Loyalty is a two-way street. Or at least that’s what Derek Jeter thought…
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The fan page asked, “Alright, you get to pick between Ichiro and Jeter for a full career, who you got?” And the responses were surprising, to say the least.
Alright, you get to pick between Ichiro and Jeter for a full career, who you got?
Please quote
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) February 11, 2023
Derek Jeter, who was known for his loyalty, didn’t witness the same loyalty from his fans when they faced the dilemma of picking Ichiro or Jeter for a full career. The former New York Yankees captain would be rather disappointed if he were to read these responses.
This is how fans reacted to this question:
No disrespect to Jeter but this might be the easiest ever. Ichiro by miles and miles. If Ichiro plays here when he’s 21? 6 more years? Conservatively 1000 more hits? He’s the GOAT
— Benny (@alwaysdet37412) February 11, 2023
The responses have somewhat restored my faith in Baseball Twitter. The answer is Ichiro and it’s not even debatable. If both players received the proper amount of credit for what they accomplished as individual players your question would be laughable.
— alan buonasera (@adbono23) February 11, 2023
I’m a massive Jeter fan. But, if you’re giving me Ichiro Suzuki in the majors at age 21 and I get him until he “falls off” at the age of 43 or whatever, yep, I’ll take Ichiro. My leadoff spot is solidified for almost 2 decades before I have to move him to bottom third.
— AJ Bleakney (@ABleakney) February 11, 2023
Same here
— Just Mike (@HeyItsJustMike) February 11, 2023
There is only one correct answer here and it’s Ichiro. 100 out of 100 times.
— Dennis Jenders (@djenders) February 11, 2023
Jeter for the Chips and he played the most important position on the diamond.
— Dan Coccimiglio (@DancMonsterSlam) February 11, 2023
I love Jeter as much as anyone, but it’s Ichiro easily. He might be the best pure hitter of the 21st century and was phenomenal defensively. Saying Jeter shouldn’t get you laughed out of the room (especially since locking down a HOF SS is a bonus over a RF), but Ichiro is just >
— GhostOfRepublicanismPresent (@GhostlyElephant) February 11, 2023
Jeter is one of my all time favourite players. But Ichiro at 21 is the pick here, and it's no debate.
— Ryan Sampson (@samp7729) February 11, 2023
Ichiro by a million
— Yu Snell me? (@OBPadres) February 11, 2023
Ichiro…not even close. If he played his whole career in the MLB, might have beat Rose in career hits. Plus, outstanding fielder
— Lonnie Smith (@LonnieS4148) February 11, 2023
The stats 21 year old Ichiro piles up plus being an absolute weapon his entire career in the field makes this pretty easy. Plus give him those years in the league and he’s probably spending real-time on a contender playing the same way.
— SinCityRaiders (@jukekyzabella) February 11, 2023
Captain Clutch’s career concluded with 14 All-Star appearances, five World Series Championships, and five Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. Suzuki, on the other hand, may have never won a World Series, but concluded his MLB career with the AL MVP in 2001, ten All-Star appearances, and two AL batting champion mentions.
Ichiro Suzuki over the years:
Ichiro Suzuki made his MLB debut in 2001 with the Seattle Mariners and quickly established himself as one of the best hitters in the league, winning the AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP award in his first season. Over the course of his career, Ichiro amassed 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons, an MLB record, and won two AL batting titles. Moreover, the eventual ten-time MLB All-Star also won three Gold Glove awards for his defensive prowess in the right field. In total, Ichiro accumulated 3,089 hits in his MLB career, the most by any player of Japanese descent.
What do you think about Ichiro Suzuki’s MLB career? Would you prefer him above the likes of the great Derek Jeter? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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