Suzuki's close call means New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera remains the only unanimous electee. Rivera received all 425 votes in 2019. Another longtime Yankees icon, shortstop Derek Jeter, came within one vote of unanimous election in 2020. Suzuki, Rivera and Jeter were teammates with New York from 2012-13.
Players are elected to the Hall of Fame provided they are named on at least 75% of ballots cast by eligible voting members of the BBWAA. With 394 ballots submitted in the 2025 election, candidates needed to receive 296 votes to be elected.
In his first season in 2001, Ichiro earned the American League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards, hitting .350 with 242 hits as the Mariners won 116 regular-season games. He won the A.L. batting title and fielded his position flawlessly with precision and a powerful throwing arm.
Ichiro will join Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Jackie Robinson as the only jerseys retired by the Mariners.
The BBWAA recognized CC Sabathia’s prolonged excellence by voting the former Yankees left-hander into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Ichiro Suzuki is the first Japanese-born player voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He'll be joined by CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner in the Class of 2025.
The career .311 MLB hitter was the 2001 AL MVP and Rookie of the Year and won 10 consecutive AL Gold Glove Awards, all with the Mariners.
Baseball legend Suzuki Ichiro has been elected to the US National Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Japanese player to earn this honor.
He won both American League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year honours in 2001, going on to earn 10 All-Star nods, 10 Gold Glove awards and three Silver Slugger Awards. Read more at straitstimes.
The career .311 MLB hitter was the 2001 AL MVP and Rookie of the Year and won 10 consecutive AL Gold Glove Awards, all with the Mariners.
Ichiro Suzuki is the Japanese Zen master who was so dedicated to baseball that he carried his bats in a moisture-proof case and apologised to their creator when he broke one.