Ichiro gets souvenirs from Hall

One day after breaking the record for hits in a season, Ichiro Suzuki received a few congratulatory souvenirs Saturday from representatives of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ichiro was presented with a replica bat modeled after a type used by George Sisler, whose 84-year-old record of 257 hits fell on Friday night. It’s a monster bat, too: a 36-inch, 46-ounce Louisville Slugger.

Ichiro — who had 259 hits going into Saturday night’s game against Texas — also received an album containing the Hall’s entire collection of Sisler photographs, as well as photos from Ichiro’s 2001 visit to Cooperstown.

“He was very happy about it,” Hall of Fame spokesman Jeff Idelson said. “He has a scientific approach to understanding and appreciating bats, as I witnessed three years ago. He was very excited and appreciative of having a Sisler model bat.”

Commissioner Bud Selig announced before the game that Ichiro also will receive the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award.

Selig was joined at a pregame ceremony by members of Sisler’s family, including his 81-year-old daughter, Frances Sisler Drochelman. The family gave Ichiro a St. Louis Browns cap, signed by Sisler.

Ichiro declined pregame interview requests, as he has done all season.

Idelson said the Hall plans to honor Ichiro by devoting an exhibit to his feat.

Selig says Ichiro short-changed

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig thinks Ichiro Suzuki should be getting more attention for breaking George Sisler’s single-season hits record.

“I’m not sure this is getting the recognition it deserves. I think this is a stunning record,” Selig said.

The commissioner said the feat was great for the internationalization of baseball, but rejected suggestions that moving the Montreal Expos to Washington would diminish efforts to globalize the sport.

“They did well for a long time. From the mid-to-late 80s and in the end, there was no ownership. It’s as simple as that,” said Selig, who added that Toronto still maintains a strong franchise and fan base.

Selig was in Seattle for ceremonies marking the retirement of Mariners designated hitter Edgar Martinez.

Olivo suspended two games

Catcher Miguel Olivo missed Saturday night’s game against Texas after dropping his appeal of a two-game suspension for making contact with an umpire Sept. 20 at Anaheim.

The suspension was reduced to one game with Olivo fined $1,000. Had the case gone forward, the appeal probably might not have been heard until spring training.

Catcher Dan Wilson was in the lineup against the Rangers. Rene Rivera, called up from Class A in mid-September, also was available to Seattle.