Bonds: Ichiro's mechanics were 'slightly off'

Most people, even the most seasoned baseball men, would probably think twice about offering hitting advice to Ichiro Suzuki, the venerable 10-time All-Star who will one day have a plaque in Cooperstown.

Barry Bonds isn't most people, though.

On Saturday, the Miami Marlins' newly hired hitting coach and the all-time home run leader spoke to ESPN about his recent work with Suzuki, wherein he tried to correct a mechanical issue he noticed in the 42-year-old's swing.

"I just saw his mechanics were just slightly off," Bonds said. "That was it. I mean, he's so technically good, and his mechanics are so good - he was just off a little bit.

Suzuki, who sits 65 hits shy of 3,000 for his MLB career but posted a career-low .229 batting average last season, was receptive to the instruction, Bonds said.

"He knew exactly what I was saying," said Bonds

Frankly, though, it may take more than just a little tinkering to get Suzuki's old swing back. Since 2012, only 17 of baseball's 289 qualified hitters have produced a lower OPS than Suzuki (.646), who also owns the lowest isolated power (.053) in the majors over the last two seasons (min. 800 PA).