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Ichiro Suzuki headlined the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame

Ichiro Suzuki headlined the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ichiro Suzuki headlined the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame induction with a humorous and emotional speech. Joined by CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, Suzuki charmed fans and honored the sport. His wit, humility, and legacy resonated in Cooperstown.


Ichiro Suzuki Hall of Fame Induction – Quick Looks

  • Ichiro Suzuki inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame with wit and grace
  • Delivered speech in English, mixing humor with deep reflection
  • Teased anonymous writer who denied him unanimous election
  • Joined by fellow inductees CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner
  • Paid tribute to fans, teammates, and the game’s traditions
  • Sabathia spotlighted Black representation in baseball history
  • Wagner shared message of resilience and perseverance
  • Suzuki’s total professional hits surpass MLB record-holder Pete Rose
  • Crowd of 30,000 included thousands of Mariners fans
  • Ceremony honored broadcasting legends Tom Hamilton and Tom Boswell

Ichiro Suzuki headlined the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame

Deep Look

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Ichiro Suzuki may be a baseball legend, but at his Hall of Fame induction on Sunday, he also proved to be a master of dry humor and graceful storytelling. Speaking in English to a crowd of 30,000 fans under sunny skies, Suzuki charmed the audience with a mix of jokes, humility, and reflections on a career that bridged continents and captivated generations.

Suzuki, the first Japanese-born position player inducted into the Hall of Fame, was joined by pitcher CC Sabathia and closer Billy Wagner. Together, they formed a class marked not just by stats, but by substance and personality.

A Show-Stealing Speech

Although morning rain delayed the event, the weather eventually cleared as Suzuki took the stage. His 18-minute address drew laughs and cheers, especially when he poked fun at the one writer who didn’t vote for him.

“Three thousand hits or 262 hits in one season are two achievements recognized by the writers. Well, all but one,” he quipped, before declaring, “The offer for the writer to have dinner at my home has now expired,” placing comic emphasis on the word “expired.”

But Suzuki’s humor didn’t overshadow his message. He spoke about the discipline that drove him to greatness, thanking mentors, his late agent, and fans who traveled from around the world to witness his moment.

“Baseball taught me what it means to be a professional,” he said. “I could not have achieved the numbers without paying attention to the small details every single day consistently for all 19 seasons.”

Cultural Crossover and Cooperstown’s Embrace

Ichiro’s impact extended far beyond statistics. With 3,089 MLB hits and another 1,278 in Japan, his total of 4,367 surpasses Pete Rose’s MLB mark of 4,256. His 2004 season, in which he collected a record 262 hits, remains a pinnacle of hitting excellence.

Thousands of Mariners fans waved Japanese flags and wore his iconic No. 51 jersey. Banners in English and Japanese reading “Thank You Ichiro! Forever a Legend” hung proudly. His speech, entirely in English, was as much a gift to the crowd as it was a personal statement about belonging and gratitude.

Suzuki didn’t hold back his jabs either—mocking his brief stint with the Miami Marlins: “Honestly, when you guys offered me a contract in 2015, I had never heard of your team,” he said to laughter.

Tributes from Fellow Inductees

CC Sabathia, who was runner-up to Suzuki for Rookie of the Year in 2001, humorously noted: “Even Ichiro, who stole my Rookie of the Year award,” before turning serious to highlight the legacy of fellow inductee Dave Parker.

Parker, who died a month before his scheduled induction, was a trailblazer for Black players in the MLB. Sabathia noted that Black representation in the sport was at its peak in the 1980s, lamenting its decline and calling for a renewed push for inclusion.

“Baseball has always been a great game for Black athletes,” he said. “But baseball culture has not always been great to Black people.”

Billy Wagner’s message centered on resilience. A seven-time All-Star and eighth full-time reliever in the Hall, he reflected: “I wasn’t supposed to be here… I refused to give up or give in.”

A Day of Baseball and Legacy

Suzuki was nearly a unanimous choice, receiving 393 of 394 votes (99.7%). Sabathia received 86.8%, and Wagner was elected on his final try with 82.5%. Also honored were longtime Cleveland radio voice Tom Hamilton, receiving the Ford C. Frick Award, and Washington Post columnist Tom Boswell, who earned the BBWAA Career Excellence Award.

Fans roared with each joke and paused in reverence with each heartfelt memory. Ichiro, who admitted he hadn’t even known what the Hall of Fame was when he arrived in the U.S. in 2001, now stands at the pinnacle of the sport.

“Going into America’s Baseball Hall of Fame was never my goal,” he said. “But being here today sure feels like a fantastic dream.”

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