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Ichiro Suzuki was introduced to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday when the ceremony took place in Cooperstown, New York.
On a day that was emotional to many, Suzuki brought humor to his speech. The former Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and Miami Marlin’s Outfielder received 393 out of possible 394 votes to be elected to Hall of Fame. Only Mariano Rivera was a unanimous first-voice hall of Famer.
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Baseball Hall of Fame inductor Ichiro Suzuki recognizes the amount under the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, Sunday 27 July 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
In January, Suzuki offered to meet with the lonely author of dinner to discuss the rationale for being left the ballot. The dinner did not seem to happen, and the legendary outfielder canceled the invitation.
“Three thousand hits or 262 hits in one season are two results recognized by the authors,” he said. “Well, all except one.
“For other, the offer for the author is to have dinner at home now expired.”
He also joked that he had never heard of Marlins when the team offered him a contract.
“Honestly, when you guys offered me a contract in 2015, I had never heard of your team.”
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Baseball Hall of Fame Inducts, from left to right, Billy Wagner, Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia, for a photo in the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, Ne York, Sunday 27 July 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Suzuki joined the Hall of Fame in class with CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. Dave Parker and Dick Allen were also elected via the ERA Committee.
Suzuki had 3,089 hits, 10 all-star performances and 10 gold gloves during his career.
“Baseball is much more than just hitting, throwing and running. Baseball taught me how to make valued decisions about what’s important. It helped shape my view of life and the world … The elderly I got, I realized the only way I could get to play the game I loved to 45 years at the highest level was to dedicate myself to it,” he said. “When fans spend their precious time watching you play, you have a responsibility to perform for them, whether you win by 10 or lose by 10.
“Baseball taught me what it means to be a professional, and I think that’s the main reason I’m here today. I couldn’t have achieved the numbers without paying attention to the little details every single day consistently in all 19 seasons.”
Seattle Mariners Right Fielder Ichiro Suzuki, #51, during the first lap against Detroit Tigers in Comerica Park in Detroit on July 23, 2009. (Leon Halip -usa Today Sports)
He added that entering the Baseball Hall of Fame was never really the goal, but now that he has achieved it, he called the performance a “fantastic dream.”
