Ichiro Suzuki

It's a fact Trevor Hoffman of the Pa dres has blown just four saves this season, but each has cost David Wells a win. Milestone Johan Santana is the first Twins pitcher with 200 strikeouts since Bert Blyleven had 215 in 1986. The number .456: Batting average (through Friday) of the Mari ners' Ichiro Suzuki since the All-Star break.

Chad Bradford, Orioles reliever What makes Ichiro Suzuki one of the toughest outs in the league? Even when you feel like you beat him, he hits a ground ball and he can leg it out. He's tough. If you make a mistake, he's going to hurt you. And even if you don't make a mistake, he can slap it over the left side and leg it out.

SAN DIEGO -- Of the 480 ballplayers listed on the final rosters of the World Baseball Classic, more than 170 played in the major leagues last season. Only two, Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and Texas Rangers reliever Akinori Otsuka, are still in the hunt for the inaugural title. Title game Cuba vs. Japan, 9 tonight, ESPN