Ichiro Suzuki was officially inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Asian-born player ever honored, alongside first-ballot inductees CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, with Dick Allen and Dave Parker joining via the Classic Baseball Era committee. During his speech, Ichiro delivered a humorous and heartfelt nod to Yankees fans, saying, “I know you guys are really here today for CC, but that’s okay. He deserves your love.”
Ichiro’s subtle roast of Yankees fans
Ichiro’s quip about the Yankees crowd underscored his sharp wit and humility. As he toured through gratitude during his speech, he specifically acknowledged New York fans by noting they’s likely come for Sabathia first, and then generously added that the legendary pitcher deserved their affection.
This moment, widely shared online, even circulated on various social media platforms with fans quoting the Mariners legend. The phrase quickly became on of the most viral lines from the weekend’s ceremony.
First-ballot legend and global icon
Beyond the humor, the ceremony marked a historic milestone: Ichiro became the first Japanese-born player inducted into Cooperstown, receiving 393 of 394 votes, just one shy of unanimous. His Hall of Fame plaque features the Seattle Mariners cap, where he spent most of his iconic career.
At age 51, he delivered his acceptance adress in English, his most public essay in the language to date, praising meticulous preparation, his wife Yumiko’s support, and joking that the “offer to that one dissenting voter for dinner at my home has now expired”.
Ichiro’s career amassed 3,089 MLB hits and over 4,300 including NPB, along with 10 Gold Gloves and All-Star selections, making him one of the most globally impactful figures in baseball history. His induction takes place in a ceremony attended by more than 50 living Hall of Famers, further amplifying the weight of his achievement.
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