Ichiro’s Best Moment
I’m working on a long post about Ichiro, but it’s done yet, and I felt like it the day after his trade, the blog’s main story shouldn’t be about Justin Smoak getting sent down. So, for now, let’s relive the best moment Ichiro ever had by Win Probability Added.
September 18th, 2009, vs NYY, down 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th, runner at second, Mariano Rivera on the mound.
Historically, teams in that situation only go on to win 13.3% of the time, and that’s facing a generic closer. Against Mariano Rivera, the odds were much lower. Didn’t matter – Ichiro crushed it, and everyone went home happy. It was actually the second day in a row he had a walkoff hit at home, as his 9th inning single the day before had given the team a 4-3 win over the White Sox.
Thanks for that memory, Ichiro.
One of my favorites. Thanks Dave. He is a special player that’s for sure.
Thanks for the memory Ichiro. I was at that game screaming at the top of my lungs with the rest of the crowd. I miss that glory but wish you well.
Also probably Dave Niehaus’s last great call (“The unbelievable has happened!”)
I’m so glad I got to see that game in person. What an incredible moment. The last thing anyone was thinking about was that he would hit a walk-off against Mariano, who was a top 10 reliever in 2009.
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of that highlight.
Both sad and proud to say that was the only game I was able to attend that season, highlight of my whole year. Thanks for everything Ichiro.
Was that Condor on second base?
I’d forgotten he ever got on base prior to 2012. 😀
Bam! Thanks, Ichiro… And Dave. Brought tears to my eyes. Watching Mario walk off the mound a loser is priceless (and rare)– a real “gem”.
Westside guy: He was pinch-running for Mike Sweeney, who’d hit a lead-off double.
Thanks Sportzilla – that makes a lot more sense in retrospect.
I was at that game too, it was incredible. I still can’t believe the sequence: Sweeney’s (?!) double, then Ichiro’s HR, both on the first pitch. The whole place went nuts. Thanks Dave, this is a great memory.
I have a hard time pinning down a favorite Ichiro memory. Most of what I liked best about him was simply how he played day to day. When he was at the top of his game, he’s get these absurd base hits (or reach on forced errors) that no one else could pull off – I’d find myself laughing at how impotent the opposing infielders would look on what appeared to be simple infield grounders. I loved his defense and his throwing arm. He was just amazing, day in and day out – and it seemed like he would never age (until he finally did, in 2011).
I remember it well. I should since it was my birthday! Sweeney got a two-out double to get on base as the tying run, which I was thrilled about since I loved Sweeney. Then Ichiro came in and did the next-to-impossible off of Mo’.
Thanks for the birthday present, Ichi!
I agree with Westy… I think my favorite Ichiro moments are little things like beating out a slow roller to the 2nd baseman, on the 1B side of the infield.
Or probably his greatest testament– he was the leadoff hitter on the MLB team that won the most games ever in a single season (one of two teams anyways)… Not to mention Rookie of the Year and AL MVP that year. Gold Glovers who bat .350, and steal 50+ bases, aren’t a common occurence. That year was simply fantastic… Best individual season I’ve ever seen as a fan. And he did it against pitchers he’d never faced before (hitting or basestealing)– THEY’RE supposed to have the advantage.
Phenomenal. Can’t imagine a rookie- at any age- ever having that huge of an impact his first season, ever again.
Uh… Mike Trout says hello MrZ. 😀
I loved that moment! I had just come home and had flipped on the TV just as Sweeney knocked that double. 2009 was such a fun season to watch. So many walk-off victories!
Was Ichiro’s hit the day before the one where Griffey chased him down in the outfield to hit him? That smile on his face whenever that was is one of my favorite moments of all time. Say what you will about Griffey or Ichiro, but both had a blast that year, and I loved watching every minute of it.
Someone wrote “Top 10 reliever” but you got to be kidding me. Mariano is probably the best reliever all time, and one of the best that year as well.
I looked at his game log and before Ichiro hit that walk off HR against him, Mariano hadn’t blown a save in around 35 appearances, with just a total of 2 runs scored against him during the whole time.
That’s crazily dominant.
After Ichiro’s blast, he didn’t give up another run until the end of the season either.
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Was Ichiro’s hit the day before the one where Griffey chased him down in the outfield to hit him? That smile on his face whenever that was is one of my favorite moments of all time. Say what you will about Griffey or Ichiro, but both had a blast that year, and I loved watching every minute of it.
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I know what you mean. 2009 was really great.
Let us not forget it was Mike Sweeney’s pinch-hit double that made it possible. Two-down with nobody on prior to that hit. The odds would have been pretty low for a win.
When Mike Sweeney was healthy, he was very good. Problem is, at that point he could hurt his back just by someone looking at him wrong.
Yes, that was a fantastic moment.
Interesting to see: Ichiro didn’t have a great game before the homerun with two outs made on the basepaths (one caught stealing, one pick off).