Ichiro Suzuki Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Ichiro Suzuki was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 27, a milestone that puts his trailblazing career in its proper perspective.

The Aichi Prefecture native is now a baseball immortal and the first Asian to be enshrined at the revered institution in Cooperstown, New York.

Ichiro, joined in the 2025 Hall of Fame induction class by pitchers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner and the late sluggers Dick Allen and Dave Parker, put his unique personal touch on his speech during the ceremony. A crowd estimated at 30,000, including 52 returning Hall of Famers, attended the event.

Reluctant to speak English in public over the years (opting to use an interpreter in his interactions with the press), Ichiro embraced the challenge of giving his induction ceremony speech in English.

This resonated with the global baseball community.

Seattle Sports, an ESPN Radio affiliate, summed up Ichiro's nearly 20-minute appearance in front of the microphone on X (formerly Twitter): "Ichiro's heartfelt Hall of Fame induction speech had it all ― sage wisdom, deep gratitude, and yes, his witty sense of humor." 

The fan favorite opened his speech by saying, "Today, I am feeling something I thought I would never know again. For the third time, I am a rookie. First, in 1992, after the Orix BlueWave drafted me out of high school. Then, in 2001, I became a rookie again at 27 when the Seattle Mariners signed me.

"As I look over here now, and see men like [Hall of Fame inductees] Rod Carew, George Brett and Tony La Russa, I realized I'm a rookie again."

Laughter and smiles from the audience punctuated Ichiro's speech.

"Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into your great team," he continued.

A Long List of Baseball Accomplishments

On Ichiro's Hall of Fame plaque, the inscription includes the following: "With extraordinary work ethic and unparalleled bat control, brought record-setting hit totals to Major League Baseball as its first Japanese-born position player. Electrified 2001 Mariners to record 116-win campaign…"

In the years that followed, his incredible batting skills, including 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons, brilliance on the basepaths and excellence as an outfielder were the stuff of legends.

What's more, best-selling author Robert Whiting observed in 2024, Ichiro had "the best work ethic in MLB history."

His all-time record of 4,367 combined hits in NPB and MLB, 10 MLB All-Star selections, 509 MLB stolen bases, 10 Gold Glove awards, two AL batting titles, and the 2001 AL MVP and Rookie of the Year awards were a testament to his talent and determination. He also set the single-season hit record (262) in 2004.

Curiously enough, all of the above didn't persuade one Baseball Writers' Association of America voter to include Ichiro on their 2025 Hall of Fame ballot. Ichiro was a near unanimous selection, receiving 99.7% of the vote (393 of 394) in his first year as an eligible Hall of Fame candidate.

Laughter and Memories

With a deep love of baseball and its rich history, Ichiro Suzuki traveled to Cooperstown, New York, seven times during his MLB career to visit the Hall of Fame, which opened in 1936. Visiting Cooperstown for the first time in 2001, he enjoyed looking at historic artifacts and items on display inside the building.

Now, as an inductee, Ichiro says he has a duty to honor the game.

"I hope I can uphold the values of the Hall of Fame, but please, I am 51 years old now, so easy on the hazing," he joked. He then said, "I don't need to wear a Hooters uniform again."

Ichiro also summed up his lifelong ambition in his speech: "My goal was always clear: to play professionally at the highest level."

The new Hall of Famer remarked that "people often measure me by my records" before mentioning some of his most famous feats. Then he quipped, "Not bad, huh?"

This drew laughter from the crowd ― and a few shouts of arigatou (thank you).

How Baseball Impacted Ichiro's Life

Ichiro offered his insights on the impact of baseball on his life.

"Baseball is so much more than hitting, throwing and running," he said, before adding, "baseball taught me to make valued decisions about what is important." And he spoke about dedicating himself fully to baseball in order to be able to keep playing until age 45.

Indeed, the Japanese legend took his job seriously.

"When fans use their precious time to come watch you play, you have a responsibility to perform for them," Ichiro said in his Sunday speech. "Whether we are winning by 10 [runs] or losing by 10, I felt my duty was to be motivated the same from Opening Day through game 162."

About one-third of the way through his speech, Ichiro took a humorous dig at the BBWAA writer who ensured that he would not be a unanimous Hall of Fame selection in 2025.

"Three-thousands hits or 262 in one season are achievements recognized by the writers ― well, all but one of you," Ichiro stated. The crowd reacted with "ooh!" and a mix of laughter, too.

As a baseball player, the recurring sense of duty that Ichiro highlighted in his speech was a reminder of his love for the game.

"By taking responsibility for yourself, you support your teammates and you don't cheat the fans," he said, describing the essence of his approach as a player.

The Difference Between Dreams and Goals

In a vivid recollection from his childhood, Ichiro told the audience that he wrote an essay when he was an elementary school student. The essay was about his dream of becoming a professional baseball player.

Looking back, he said, with the wisdom he gained over the years, he admitted he would now swap "dream" for "goal" in the essay.

But why?

"Dreams are not always realistic," Ichiro opined, "but goals can be possible if you think deeply about how to reach them."

Waxing philosophically, he added: "In order to make your dream your goal, you must be honest in thinking about what is important to achieve it."

The Influence of Hideo Nomo

People that inspire others can also influence us to accomplish things.

For example, when star pitcher Hideo Nomo left NPB's Kintetsu Buffaloes and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in February 1995, it was notable for Ichiro and Japan as a whole. Nomo was, after all, the first Japanese MLB player in 30 years. (Masanori Murakami pitched for the San Francisco Giants in 1964-65.)

"His success inspired many, including me," Ichiro shared. "Thanks to him, MLB was always in the news in Japan, and MLB games were broadcast on TV because of Hideo Nomo's courage."

This inspired Ichiro to pursue playing in the major leagues. And he personally thanked Nomo in Japanese during his speech.

Numerous thank-you comments followed for the Orix BlueWave, the Seattle Mariners, the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins, the four teams he played for during his career.

"Thank you for giving me the chance to reach 3,000 hits as a Marlin and with those teammates," Ichiro said with gratitude.

Near the end of his speech, Ichiro thanked his agents, the late Tony Attanasio and John Boggs, his longtime interpreter, Allen Turner, and his wife, Yumiko, for their unwavering support.

"It would only be natural if she (Yumiko) had doubts, too," Ichiro pointed out, referring to skepticism about whether he would succeed as an MLB player. "But she never made me feel them. All of her energy was focused on supporting and encouraging me.

"For 19 seasons in Seattle, New York and Miami, she made sure that our home was always happy and positive. I tried to be consistent as a player, but she's the most consistent teammate I ever had."

Post-Speech Insights

In a press conference held after his Hall of Fame induction ceremony speech, Ichiro Suzuki was asked why he decided to give his speech in English instead of Japanese.

"Of course it's going to be better to speak in Japanese to get what I am trying to say across," Ichiro said through his interpreter. "But this is America, and being able to speak English, the fans would understand the most and be able to understand and feel how I was feeling. So there was no deciding factor. I always knew that I was going to do it in English."

Several of the reporters' questions in Cooperstown in the post-induction press gathering cited Ichiro's humor-laced speech and he acknowledged that there are differences in telling jokes in Japanese and English. But he noted, for example, that he enjoys humor during dinner conversations with American friends.

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Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.