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MLB notes: Marlins open to retaining Ichiro

Miami’s Ichiro Suzuki has his eyes on 3,000 MLB hits – and Pete Rose’s 4,256. (Associated Press)
From Wire Reports
Miami’s Ichiro Suzuki has his eyes on 3,000 MLB hits – and Pete Rose’s 4,256. (Associated Press)

Even as the wheels come off this Marlins edition at every turn, one focused Marlin continues to roll quietly but purposefully through baseball history.

Ichiro Suzuki is carving his indelible niche deeper among the immortals of baseball.

Earlier he bowed to Babe Ruth as he passed on a relentless climb up the career hits list, and to legendary Sadaharu Oh once he’d scored the most runs by a Japanese-born player.

Saturday in St. Louis he moved ahead of Ty Cobb with his combined total of hits between Japan (1,278) and the major leagues (2,915), now at 4,193.

Although Major League Baseball doesn’t recognize what Ichiro did in Japan, only Pete Rose (4,256) has more hits in the highest leagues of the two nations.

The baseball-savvy Cardinals crowd showed appreciation for the achievement with an ovation that prompted a tip of the batting helmet from Ichiro, who said later that he was moved by the gesture.

The next target is 3,000 hits in MLB, which is within reach next season.

Marlins manager Dan Jennings said Saturday there have been internal discussions about offering Ichiro the chance to continue chasing milestones at 42 in Miami.

“Just watching him play and his contribution night after night. Certainly achieving some of the milestones, and the way he’s respected in that clubhouse by his teammates and what he does and what he brings on the field, there is still plenty left in the tank,” Jennings said.

Brewers farmhand reveals he’s gay

Milwaukee Brewers minor leaguer David Denson has become the first openly gay player on a team affiliated with MLB.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Denson, with the help of former major leaguer Billy Bean, reached out to the newspaper to tell his story.

The 20-year-old first baseman plays for the Helena Brewers in the rookie Pioneer League. Following his playing career, Bean, Major League Baseball’s first Ambassador for Inclusion, revealed he was gay.

Clearing the bases

The Angels optioned Matt Shoemaker, who failed to finish the second inning Saturday at Kansas City, to Triple-A Salt Lake. Shoemaker allowed six runs in the 9-4 loss to the Royals. Shoemaker, 28, is 5-9 with a 4.76 ERA in 22 games (21 starts) in 2015. …The White Sox reinstated OF J.B. Shuck from the 15-day disabled list and designated INF Emilio Bonifacio for assignment. Shuck is hitting .278 with 11 RBIs in 54 games this season with the White Sox. Bonifacio was batting .167 in 47 games. … The Royals bolstered their organizational depth by signing RHP Joba Chamberlain and LHP Wandy Rodriguez to the roster for Class AAA Omaha. Chamberlain, a 29-year-old former phenom, was released by Toronto on Friday.