What's More Likely To Happen?

[love_that_reefer]

What's more likely to happen in 2009? Ichiro reaching 200 hits or Ryan Howard striking 200 times? Ichiro has hit more than 200 hits every year of his career. Last year he had 213 and will be 35 this year. Could this be the start of his decline?

Ryan Howard has struck out 199 times two seasons in a row. He had 181 strike outs before that. Will this be the year he breaks the 200 mark?

I went with Howard getting 200 strikeouts.

[NYgiantsfan5689]

I'm goin with Ichiro

[ljshorty89]

Ichiro....he's been a given for 200 hits every year, why would I bail on him now?

[Buckcheeks]

I'd go with both if that were an option.

[Pronk48]

I am going Ryan Howard striking out 200 times. I think Ichiro is going to get less than 200hits this year.

[DiamondDave]

Ichiro's a machine... almost certain he'll do it.. almost as certain as him getting in the HoF

200K's is a ton.. and while Howard K's a ton, he's going to get a bit more selective and a bit more experience skill... I think it is more likely he'll go down a few K's, than it is for him to gain a K

[Nephrectomy]

Ichiro is beast. Just 200 would be a down year for him?

[catman]

I'm not sure both won't happen. Howard may strike out over 200 times. I think Ichiro will achieve the total first this year, however.

[missionhockey21]

200K's is a ton.. and while Howard K's a ton, he's going to get a bit more selective and a bit more experience skill... I think it is more likely he'll go down a few K's, than it is for him to gain a K

Just to play devil's advocate, he is a slugger now without contract worries. If he starts to slump at all, he might press more to try to live up to his massive contract so he might strikeout a bit more.

Personally though, I think Ichiro is more likely to not hit 200 hits this year. Last year he had 213 in a full season of 162 games, a 25 hit dropoff from 2007. Ichiro is amazing but he is 35 and if he experienced any sort of injury, even if it was just a one week strain or whatever, he might come just shy of those 200 hits.

[Kiluckzle]

I said Ichiro getting 200 hits because he gets it every year pretty easily. The Phils website always talks about Howard trying to be more selective at the plate and how he is working really hard at it. I think he'll end up hitting around .260 with 175 Ks next year and 45 HRS while Ichiro gets 220ish hits.
But I'm Phillies fan who has been an optimist ever since they won so who knows.