Japan's Ichiro Suzuki is poised to break one of the oldest records in major league baseball.

The Seattle Mariners outfielder is chasing the single-season hits record of 257 set in 1920 by George Sisler of the St Louis Browns. With nine games left, Ichiro has a total of 249.

Sisler set the record one year before the first radio broadcast of a World Series. Now games involving Ichiro, 30, are seen live on TV in the United States and Japan.

The season was eight games shorter when Sisler played but Ichiro is facing a tougher travel schedule and more difficult pitching.

In an age of bulked-up power hitters, Ichiro is a throwback to an earlier era when the game's top players did not always swing for the fences.

"I don't know if I'll break the record," Ichiro told reporters after collecting two hits in Friday's 8-7 win over the Texas Rangers. "But the chase is sure gathering a lot of interest."

Ichiro has only chalked up eight home runs this year but any ball hit on the ground could turn from an easy out to an infield single, thanks to his speed.

"It's a style of game that dates back to the 1800s. Baseball these days is about power hitting," said Jim Gates, Librarian at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Long hours of gruelling training as a child with his father perfected his swing and unparalleled bat control.

"If he keeps on this pace he'll break Sisler's record by several hits, unless he totally chokes or the opposition starts walking him," said Robert Whiting, author of a book on Ichiro and Japanese baseball.

The record is not only important for Ichiro but also for the Mariners, who have suffered a miserable season and are on track to lose 100 games.

Local papers started the season by lamenting Seattle's performance but are now focused on tracking his progress.

Beating the record might mean even more for his legion of fans in Japan, where every Mariners game is broadcast live and where his at-bats lead the evening news bulletins.

"He is Japan's first cultural icon in the U.S.," said Whiting. "To Japanese, who have always had a bit of a complex about being seen as faceless product makers, Ichiro's status in America is a big vicarious thrill."

Despite the pressure, Ichiro is sticking to his almost Zen-like routine, speaking little, rarely varying his at-bat preparations and keeping his trademark poker face.

Even if Ichiro breaks Sisler's record, he will have to play for six more years to meet the eligibility requirement of 10 seasons in the major leagues to be considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Until then, Ichiro may have to pursue another elusive goal.

"I think he believes if he practices hard enough he'll eventually hit .400," said Whiting.