Ichiro finally has a batting average

You can breathe easy now, Mariners fans.

Ichiro managed to get that elusive first hit of spring, ending an 0-for-21 drought. In typical Ichiro fashion, the ice breaker was a slow grounder to second base that he narrowly beat out at first.

Ichiro is now batting a skimpy .040 for the spring, but at least it's not .000. Then again, when you're a perennial All-Star and international icon, you aren't exactly concerned about being demoted to AAA Tacoma.

And you know what? He's not.

"I'm not sure what my next challenge is," Ichiro said. "Today, my feeling is kind of sad. It's sad to say goodbye [to the hitless streak]. Part of me wishes it would have gone on a little longer."

Ichiro has never exactly been a media darling, but it's nice to see that he at least has a sense of humor about things. Perhaps new teammate Erik Bedard should take note.