In 2007, Ichiro Suzuki was requested what number of residence runs he may hit if he tried to swing for simply energy. The 2-time batting champion, who averaged about 10 residence runs per yr by means of that time within the MLB, answered with a surprising determine:
“If I’m allowed to hit .220, I may in all probability hit 40.”
He by no means tried as a result of from 2007-19 he solely eclipsed the ten residence run mark as soon as. Every now and then, throughout batting follow, followers would see a present of Ichiro cranking the ball over the wall, but it surely by no means occurred in video games. That estimation of quadrupling his common will need to have been an exaggeration.
Or was it?
On the age of fifty, Ichiro hit a house run that smashed by means of a highschool window in Japan. In keeping with MLB.com, the dinger traveled 426 ft, and Ichiro had a healthful response. Video beneath:
Ichiro 😬😂 pic.twitter.com/PVHciOzGFI
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) November 6, 2023
Ichiro was operating by means of fundamental drills with the scholars at Asahikawa Higashi Excessive College in Hokkaido, Japan, when he went yard. In keeping with MLB.com, he hit about 63 pitches and twice cleared a 26-foot-high netting across the constructing.
Ichiro led the league in complete hits seven occasions and holds two of the top-10 single-season information for hits — together with No. 1 total with 262 in 2004 — however even in his prime, followers didn’t get to expertise this. A 26-foot excessive wall wasn’t sufficient to cease his ball from touring properly over 400 ft.