Miami Marlins’ Ichiro Suzuki donates uniform, gear from Sunday’s game to Cooperstown
The jersey, gloves, cleats and elbow pad Ichiro Suzuki wore during Sunday’s historic game in Colorado in which he recorded his 3,000th hit are on their way to Cooperstown.
The gear will join more than half a dozen artifacts that Ichiro has already donated to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Ichiro handed the collection of memorabilia to National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum president Jeff Idelson on Mondaybefore the Marlins game against the Giants.
“I have an agreement with Jeff that the day I die, all my stuff [from my baseball career] is going to him for the Hall of Fame,” Ichiro said Monday through his interpreter Allen Turner.
Just when exactly the ageless Ichiro himself will be enshrined in Cooperstown remains to be seen. Ichiro has often said he’d like to play until he is at least 50 years old.
In addition to becoming the 30th player to record 3,000 hits, Ichiro is the first Japanese player and fourth foreign-born player to reach the mark, joining Rod Carew, Roberto Clemente and Rafael Palmeiro.
The National League chose Ichiro as its Co-Player of the Week along with Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks.
The Marlins are planning to honor that milestone on September 25th before their home game against the Braves. The team also planned to replay Ichiro’s historic 3,000th hit on the scoreboard at Marlins Park before his next at-bat.
Idelson said anyone with a Marlins game ticket from this season can enter the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum for free for the rest of 2016.
ROASTING BOUR
Ichiro continued to take playful jabs at teammate Justin Bour during Monday’s press conference.
When asked who the most famous person was to congratulate him on his 3,000th hit, Ichiro answered stoically: “Justin Bour.”
Ichiro mentioned Bour Sunday in Colorado, saying: “You know, my first three at bats my body felt like Justin Bour’s. I was just so heavy, but after that hit the burden was lifted off.”
Bour smiled when he was told what he said Monday.
“He’s just continuing to roast me right now, but it’s all in good fun,” Bour said. “I think he’s just trying to make me feel better after he blasted me for being fat [Sunday].”
INJURY UPDATES
▪ Bour might not be ready to return to action this week during the Marlins’ six-game homestand. He continues to rehab from a high ankle sprain that has kept him out since July 2. Bour said he wasn’t sure if he would need any more rehab games in the minors. He played five rehab games last week in Triple A, and went 2-for-18.
▪ Martin Prado was in the starting lineup a day after he fouled a ball off his right big toe.
▪ Manager Don Mattingly said closer A.J. Ramos (finger) is day-to-day. Ramos jammed his right middle finger while fielding a ground ball July 25, and has pitched with pain during his four appearances since.
Ramos picked up his 32nd save Friday night in Colorado, but wasn’t used in a save situation Sunday afternoon as Fernando Rodney picked up his first save with the Marlins.
Mattingly believes the issue contributed to Ramos’ tough outing Wednesday in Chicago when he gave up three runs and suffered only his second blown save in 34 chances this season.
▪ Wei-Yin Chen (left elbow strain) has yet to begin a throwing program, but is progressing, according to Mattingly. Chen (5-4, 4.99 ERA) has not pitched since July 20.
▪ Lenny Harris was back Monday after missing the series against the Rockies this past weekend to attend his daughter’s graduation at the University of Central Florida. Outfielders coach Lorenzo Bundy filled in for Harris during the three-game series.
COMING UP
▪ Tuesday: Marlins RHP Tom Koehler (8-8, 4.05 ERA) vs. Giants LHP Matt Moore (0-0, 3.00 ERA), 7:10 p.m., Marlins Park.
▪ Wednesday: Marlins RHP David Phelps (5-5, 2.45 ERA) vs. Giants RHP Jeff Samardzija (9-8, 4.40 ERA), 12:10 p.m., Marlins Park.
This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 8:40 PM with the headline "Miami Marlins’ Ichiro Suzuki donates uniform, gear from Sunday’s game to Cooperstown."