NEW YORK – Ichiro Suzuki, known for his aggressive style of play, felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety while awaiting a phone call regarding his election to the Hall of Fame. The renowned player was widely expected to be inducted, which added to his nervousness as the minutes ticked away. “I actually started getting kind of nervous,” he remarked through a translator, expressing his relief upon finally receiving the call.
Suzuki made history by becoming the first player from Japan to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He came close to a unanimous selection, receiving 393 votes out of 394 from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Alongside Suzuki, former stars CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner also secured their spots in the Hall, with Sabathia garnering 342 votes and Wagner getting 325, comfortably surpassing the necessary 75% threshold.
Both Suzuki and Sabathia were honored in their inaugural years on the ballot, while Wagner achieved induction during his tenth and final attempt. The trio is scheduled to be inducted in Cooperstown on July 27, alongside other legends like Dave Parker and Dick Allen, who were recognized last month by the classic era committee.
Mariano Rivera remains the only player to receive 100% of the votes from the BBWAA, having achieved the remarkable feat in 2019. Derek Jeter ranked closely behind with 395 votes in 2020. In celebration of Suzuki’s achievement, Seattle’s iconic Space Needle was illuminated in blue, paying tribute to his remarkable career. The Mariners have also announced plans to retire his number 51 on August 9.
Throughout his career, Suzuki earned accolades as a two-time American League batting champion and a ten-time All-Star. He boasts an impressive record with a .311 batting average, 117 home runs, 780 RBIs, and 509 stolen bases during his time with teams like Seattle, the New York Yankees, and Miami. Known for his contact hitting, he recorded 1,278 hits in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball in addition to 3,089 in Major League Baseball, including a record-breaking 262 hits in a single season in 2004. His combined total of 4,367 hits surpasses Pete Rose’s Major League record of 4,256.
Even in his role as a special assistant for the Mariners, Suzuki maintains his connection to the sport. He continues to work out in baseball gear, showing younger players what it takes to succeed in professional baseball. “I want to be able to show the players how I did it,” he shared. Suzuki also dedicates time to visit high schools in Japan during the offseason, aiming to inspire the next generation of athletes.
CC Sabathia, who finished second to Suzuki in the 2001 AL Rookie of the Year voting, enjoyed a standout career, making six All-Star appearances and winning the 2007 AL Cy Young Award, along with a World Series ring in 2009. Over his 19 seasons, he posted a record of 251-161 with a 3.74 ERA, achieving over 3,000 strikeouts and ranking among the all-time greats in left-handed pitching. As he looks toward Cooperstown, Sabathia expressed his desire to wear a Yankees cap on his plaque, having found a true home in New York.
After a difficult 2017 postseason, Sabathia contemplated retirement but chose to continue playing upon realizing how close he was to Hall of Fame-caliber statistics. He adapted his pitching style, incorporating a cutter to accommodate for a decrease in speed, achieving significant success in his last four seasons.
Wagner, who narrowly missed induction last year, has fought his way through a challenging voting history. He expressed, “It’s not been an easy 10 years,” as he reflects on his journey, which began with him being a natural right-hander who switched to left-handed pitching after injuries in childhood. His son, Will, recently made his big league debut, marking an exciting moment for the family.
As a seven-time All-Star and primarily a reliever, Wagner recorded 422 saves throughout his career, achieving a remarkable 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings, making him one of the most effective pitchers in his role. The Hall now recognizes him as one of just nine pitchers who primarily served as relievers to enter the Hall of Fame.
Notably, Carlos Beltrán is experiencing a steady rise in votes, receiving 70.3% this year, while Andruw Jones continues to gain support. Chase Utley saw an increase as well, climbing to 39.8%. Meanwhile, high-profile players like Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramírez face challenges due to past suspensions impacting their Hall of Fame candidacy.
Several players, including Carlos González and Curtis Granderson, will be removed from future ballots due to receiving less than 5% of the votes. The upcoming year holds promise for new candidates such as Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, and Matt Kemp as they join the ballot for consideration.
