Ichiro Suzuki Inducted Into Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame with 92.6% Vote, Awaits U.S. Induction as First Japanese Player

Jan 18, 2025, 07:00 PM

Ichiro Suzuki, a former outfielder for the Seattle Mariners and current special assistant to the chairman and instructor for the team, has been inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. The announcement was made on January 16, with Ichiro receiving 323 out of 349 valid votes, resulting in a 92.6% vote share. Despite speculation about a unanimous vote, Ichiro fell short of full consensus. The Mariners celebrated his induction, highlighting his status as one of the greatest players in baseball history. Ichiro expressed concerns about the modern game's reliance on data, emphasizing the importance of preserving elements of the game that should not be changed. His induction into the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame is anticipated on January 22, where he is expected to be the first Japanese player to be selected.