Ichiro Wins 4th Player of the Week Award

New York Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki won the American League Player of the Week honors for the fourth time in his career, Major League Baseball announced Monday.

During the week between September 17 and Sept. 23 Suzuki, 38, led the majors with 15 hits, six stolen bases, and a .600 batting average. In a Sept. 19 doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays Suzuki notched three hits in the day game and went 4-for-4 with four stolen bases that evening. His standout performance was key to the Yankees’ three-game sweep.

Two home runs during the week also boosted Suzuki to third place in slugging percentage (.960). He also led the majors in on-base percentage (.630) to help the Yankees hang on to a narrow lead atop American League East.

Suzuki left the Seattle Mariners in July to pursue his dream of playing in the World Series before retiring. Despite his consistent contribution as one of the top hitters in the majors, the Mariners have never contended for a pennant since Suzuki left the Orix BlueWave after nine season to join Seattle for the start of the 2001 season.