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I said this when complaining about the Ichiro extension -- the crash and boom of Sexson is the exception - not the rule.  The "typical" reality for fading players is that the FIRST thing they lose is "consistency".  It is not that Ichiro's "A" game is gone.  It's not.  It is that he is simply not bringing it to the office as often as he used to do.
My sense is that "most" HoF hitters tend to bounce back from their first 'major' dip in performance.  They work a little harder - rest a little longer - are quicker to make tweaks - whatever.  But, the first plunge in production is rarely the death knell for HoF level players.
Ichiro is a rare combo of skills, so he doesn't have a good comp for what to expect.  But, what does his 2011 look like?
April: .758
May .508
June .689
July .538
Aug .714
Could there possibly be a better indicator that he is NOT the same player at the plate from week to week?  The lack of an .800 month is (to me) more troubling than the .500 months.  But I find it telling the "slow starting" Ichiro had his best month in April.  He NEEDS days off - not just days DHing -- but actual days off if he is going to avoid a repeat of 2011's Log Flume ride.