COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Ichiro Suzuki expressed his desire to connect with the one voter who did not support his induction into the Hall of Fame. “There’s one writer that I wasn’t able to get a vote from,” he shared through a translator, just days after receiving an impressive 393 out of 394 votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. “I would like to invite him over to my house, and we’ll have a drink together, and we’ll have a good chat.”
On Thursday, Suzuki attended a press conference alongside fellow inductees CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. This event marked a significant milestone for the trio, who will be officially inducted on July 27, together with Dave Parker and Dick Allen, both previously voted in by the classic era committee.
As the first Japanese player to be elected to the Hall, Suzuki found it challenging to fully grasp the significance of this achievement. “Maybe five, 10 years from now I could look back and maybe we’ll be able to say this is what it meant,” he commented.
Jack O’Connell, the BBWAA secretary-treasurer, reminisced about a memorable occasion in 2001, when Suzuki was informed he had been selected as the American League Rookie of the Year. At that time, Suzuki secured 27 of 28 first-place votes, with the exception of one writer from Ohio who cast his vote for Sabathia instead. “He stole my Rookie of the Year,” Sabathia jokingly remarked.
Recalling a game on July 30, 2005, at Safeco Field, Sabathia noted how he had practiced a particular pitch to retire Suzuki, which turned out to be a slider. “I get two strikes on Ichi and he hits it off the window,” he noted, referencing a memorable home run hit by Suzuki, which traveled an impressive 428 feet. This home run, hit off the second deck restaurant in right field, would stand as one of Suzuki’s longest. “Come back around his next at-bat, throw it to him again, first pitch he hits it out again,” Sabathia added.
Suzuki’s second home run was pivotal in breaking a tie during the Mariners’ eventual 3-2 victory.
During their discussion of memorabilia, Suzuki pointed out a mockup plaque created by the Hall of Fame, which humorously included a depiction of his dog, Ikkyu. “Our dog and then Bob Feller’s cat are the only animals to have the Hall of Fame plaque. That is something that I cherish,” he stated, referencing the mockup featuring Feller’s cat, Felix.
CC Sabathia, renowned for his role in helping the New York Yankees secure a World Series title in 2009, recalled the significant decision to join the team after signing a massive seven-year contract worth $161 million as a free agent. The pitcher began his career in Cleveland, later played in Milwaukee, and faced uncertainty about signing with the Yankees until he was encouraged by general manager Brian Cashman. “Going into the offseason, I just heard all the stuff that was going on, the turmoil in the Yankees clubhouse,” Sabathia explained. However, he quickly found camaraderie with teammates, stating, “It didn’t take long at all before I felt like this was the right decision.”
Sabathia received votes on 342 ballots, while Wagner garnered 325, which accounted for 82.5% of the total and surpassed the necessary 296 for election. While both Suzuki and Sabathia achieved this honor in their first year of eligibility, Wagner was elected on his tenth and final attempt through the writers.
Still emotional days after receiving the news of his induction, Wagner expressed his feelings about the honor. “It’s humbling,” he said, visibly moved. “I don’t know if it’s deserving, but to sit out 10 years and have your career scrutinized, it’s tough.” Wagner made history as the first left-handed pitcher to be inducted primarily as a reliever, reflecting on the impact of others before him, like the 5-foot-11 Pedro Martínez. “I hope kids around see that there is a chance that you can get here and it is possible, that size and where you’re from doesn’t matter,” Wagner shared. “I think Pedro said it first, but if I can get here, anyone can get here.”
