Ichiro Suzuki becomes first Japanese player inducted into Hall of Fame

Ichiro Suzuki, a legendary outfielder for the Seattle Mariners, has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Japanese-born player to achieve this honor. He received 295 votes, falling just one shy of unanimous selection, a distinction only held by Mariano Rivera. Ichiro's illustrious career includes 3,089 hits in MLB, complemented by his 1,278 hits in Japan, bringing his total to 4,367, more than Pete Rose's all-time record. Joining him in the Class of 2025 are fellow first-time inductees CC Sabathia and closer Billy Wagner, with Sabathia earning 86.8% of the votes and Wagner making it in on his final ballot appearance with 82.5%. Ichiro's impact on baseball is highlighted by his accolades, including MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in his debut season, and he paved the way for future Japanese athletes in MLB. The induction ceremony is set for July 27 in Cooperstown, NY.