MIAMI -- Closing in on 3,000 hits, Ichiro Suzuki isnt inclined to stop there. Hes 42, and for some time has said -- in Japanese and English -- he wants to play until at least 50.Hes joking, right?Probably not, says New York Mets manager Terry Collins, who managed in Japan and is a friend of Suzukis. Ill tell you one thing about the Japanese -- they dont kid. And if anybody could do it, hes probably one guy who could.Its hard to argue against Suzukis chances, given this years upswing in his career as a fourth outfielder for the Miami Marlins. Despite flecks of gray in his short black hair, hes playing with youthful zeal.Through Friday, Suzuki was four hits shy of 3,000. His batting average was .341 in 179 at-bats, putting him on course to finish above .300 for the first time since 2010, and he had an OPS (on base plus slugging percentage) of .814, better than his career average. He was 8 for 10 in stolen bases and hadnt committed an error in the outfield.What Ichiro has been able to do right now is phenomenal, Marlins manager Don Mattingly says. We talk about his age but we really shouldnt, because you just watch him play, and if he used that hair dye Keith Hernandez uses, we wouldnt know he wasnt 30.The approaching milestone has brought a fresh wave of attention to Japans most famous athlete. In his 16th major league season, hell become the 30th player to reach 3,000, and only all-time hits leader Pete Rose did it faster.Suzuki played for nine years in Japans Pacific League, totaling 1,278 hits, before coming to the majors as a 27-year-old rookie with the Seattle Mariners in 2001. Despite the late start, hell soon join Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Eddie Collins and Paul Molitor as the only players with at least 3,000 hits, 500 stolen bases and a career .300 average.A year ago, it looked as if Suzuki might not ever reach 3,000. Pressed into everyday duty because of injuries to other Marlins, he batted a career-low .229, and his .279 slugging percentage ranked 230th and last in among hitters with at least 325 plate appearances. Worn out, he went 12 for 97 (.124) over his final 36 games, and it was certain whether Miami -- or anyone else -- would bring him back for another season.This year hes playing less and playing better, the part-time role his only concession to age.I tell him every day hes the best player in the world, says Jose Fernandez, the Marlins 23-year-old ace. Its just an honor to watch him play and be a part of it.Suzuki is the second-oldest player in the majors, trailing only 43-year-old Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon. He has made it this far with a rigorous training regimen that has been his hallmark since he broke into the majors.He became a superstar in the United States and never changed his routine, says Reds manager Bryan Price, who was the pitching coach in Seattle during Suzukis first six seasons there. He was steadfast and kept working hard for what he got. Ive been very impressed by that.Suzukis fastidious nature is apparent even while hes seated at his locker, trimming loose threads from his jersey or using a lint roller to clean the carpet, and he exercises the same discipline in his workout routine. He has his own weight equipment at the ballpark, and stretches perhaps more than any player in the history of the sport, whether its hours before a game in the clubhouse or in the on-deck circle.The way he goes about his business and teaches all of us young guys, hes a role model you want to follow, Fernandez says.The last major leaguer to play past his 50th birthday was Minnie Minoso, who took the field in two games for the White Sox at age 54 in 1980. Suzuki joined the Marlins last season, and was talking even then of playing until at least 50.One day he and Fernandez discussed the idea.I looked at him like ... Fernandez says, scrunching his face in an expression of disbelief. But now I dont doubt it at all. Look at him. Hes playing perfect. Hes doing everything he has been doing for the last 20-something years. So why not? Keep doing it. John Hannah Womens Jersey . 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CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Wake Forest coach Danny Manning is ready to face No. 3 Villanova, even if hes fairly certain his Demon Deacons wont have a similar offensive outburst as they did to run past UTEP.John Collins scored a career-high 24 points and Bryant Crawford had 20 in Wake Forests 103-81 victory, the first time in eight years it surpassed the century mark in a game.Shots fell early and often as the Demon Deacons, 3-0 for the first time since 2013-14, took a double-digit lead early and were rarely pressed by UTEP (1-1). Next up, though, are the national champion Wildcats with a spot in the Charleston finals on the line.Were excited, Manning said. Its the chance to play, rightfully so, one of the teams that higher ranked in the country.And one that will do its best to ensure Wake Forest doesnt shoot almost 60 percent from the field as it did against UTEP (35 of 59, 59.3 percent).Its going to be a challenge, but its something we welcome, Manning said. Well see where were at.Wake Forest put things away with a torrid first half where it went 13 of 20 from behind the arc. Dinos Mitgolou had four 3-pointers while Austin Arians, Mitchell Wilbekin, Crawford and Keyshawn Woods each had two the first 20 minutes.I dont think we were close (defensively) on any of those shots, said UTEPs frustrated coach, Tim Floyd.UTEP (1-1) plays Western Michigan, which fell to Villanova in the eight-team tournaments first game, on Friday in the consolation round.The Demon Deacons led 63-44 lead at the break, the first time they had reached 60 points or more in half since the 2008-09 season when it accomplished that against UNC Wilmington. That was also the last game they finished with 100 points or more, defeating the Seahawks 120-88.Wake Forest couldnt quite gget that many, but did more than enough to move past UTEP.ddddddddddddCollins, at 6-foot-10, made nine of 10 shots -- all in the second half -- including several jams to break his previous high of 19 set last November against Bucknell.Mitgolou finished with 18 points and Keyshawn Woods 16 for Wake Forest. Dominic Artis led UTEP with 24 points.BIG PICTUREWake Forest wants to run and did so at will against the Miners. Things will get considerably tougher against Villanova, the national champions known for its in-your-face defense.UTEP had few answers to slow down the Deacons. Artis did his share, hitting three 3-pointers. The team, though was 5 of 14 from behind the arc with many of the misses triggering the Wake Forest transition game.CHANGING GEARSManning like his teams outside touch early on. But at halftime, he stressed to his players about looking for the Deacons big men, Collins and Mitgolou down low and give them touches. The result was Collins big performance, something the team will look to duplicate against Villanova. Its going to tell us where we are and what we need to do, Crawford said.LACKING DEFENSEUTEP coach Tim Floyd had nothing good to say about his teams defense. He said his team did not rebound well or slow Wake Forests transition game. Evidence? We shot 60 percent (18 of 30) in the first half were down 19, Floyd said.UP NEXTWake Forest will face No. 3 Villanova on Friday with the winner advancing to Sunday nights championship game.UTEP will take on Western Michigan on Friday in the consolation round.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '