Ichiro hopes to return to Marlins, play until he's 'at least 50'

Ichiro Suzuki is nearly 44 years old, and he has no interest in retiring any time soon.

The outfielder told reporters through an interpreter Friday that he'd like to return to the Miami Marlins and reiterated the idea of playing until he was "at least 50."

"There's no reason not to be back," he said, according to ESPN. "It's definitely a place I would want to be."

Ichiro told the Miami Herald's Clark Spencer in spring training that he was interested in playing big-league ball until he was 50, and insisted he wasn't kidding.

The Japanese hitting wizard has more than 3,000 MLB hits - and close to 1,300 in Japan. He's the majors' active leader in the category, just 30 away from tying Dave Winfield for 21st on the all-time list and one hit shy of tying a major-league record for pinch-hits in a season with 28.

Despite all of his accolades, owning the honor of the most pinch-hits in a season is something Ichiro would relish.

"You get judged by your numbers and what you've left behind when you leave this game," he explained. "I think everybody in here would want to (break the record), because we're all professionals. We're all trying to do something and leave a mark on the game.

"I have an opportunity now to do something that can leave something behind. I think it's a great opportunity."

The Marlins own a $2-million team option on the outfielder for next season, but haven't decided if they'll pick it up.