A Little Bit Of This 'N That

Just tying up a few loose ends, things I've been thinking about lately.

ICHIRO Suzuki retired from baseball this week. The 45-year-old outfield, easily the most successful Japanese player to be in the Major Leagues, called it quits after the second game of a two-game series in his home country of Japan.

When you look at his numbers, you just shake your head. He played nine seasons in Japan before coming to MLB's Seattle Mariners, with a .353 batting average. He hit 118 home runs, had 1,278 hits, drove in 529 runs and drew 384 walks.

With 19 years in the Majors, he batted .311 with 3,089 hits, had 117 home runs, stole 509 bases, drew 647 walks and drove in 780 runs. AND he was a 10-time All-Star with 10 Golden Gloves.

So, in 28 seasons (3,603 games), he hit .322, had an On Base Percentage of .434, totaled 4,367 hits, stole 708 bases, hit 235 homers and drove in 1,309 runs.

I happened to be in the Oakland Coliseum on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009 when Ichiro got his 2,000th hit. Nothing beats being on hand for sports history! (Have been at the game when 6-foot, 10-inch pitcher Randy Johnson hit his ONLY career home run, against Milwaukee as well as in San Francisco when Barry Bonds of the Giants passed Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list.)

MATTHEWS & COBB  -- not surprised when the Green Bay Packers let this pair walk. Cobb, who had an injury-plagued career in Green Bay, inked a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Matthews, 32, had clearly lost more than a step in Green Bay. He got a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams, and that's a good place for him. The Rams will use him in situations, limit his playing time. And with a very, very good defensive line in front of him, Matthews should excel.

Thanks to both of them for their Green Bay years of service, and I wish them the best.