COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – Ichiro Suzuki is looking forward to sharing a drink with the lone writer who chose not to cast a vote for him during the Hall of Fame selection process.
After an impressive turnout of 393 votes out of a possible 394 from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, Ichiro expressed a desire for a friendly dialogue with that one dissenting writer.
Through an interpreter, he extended an invitation to his home, envisioning a meaningful conversation over a toast.
Reflecting on Achievements
With seven previous visits to the Hall of Fame under his belt, Ichiro was visibly emotional alongside fellow inductees CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner during Thursday’s press conference.
The trio is slated to be honored on July 27, sharing the limelight with Dave Parker and Dick Allen, who were elected by the Classic Era Committee last month.
Reflecting on his groundbreaking accomplishment as the first Japanese player inducted into the Hall, Ichiro admitted it’s difficult for him to grasp its full significance right now.
He suggested that he might come to appreciate this milestone more clearly in the years to come.
Memorable Moments
Jack O’Connell, the secretary-treasurer of the BBWAA, took a walk down memory lane, recalling the moment in 2001 when he called Ichiro to announce his selection as the American League Rookie of the Year.
Despite receiving a resounding majority of first-place votes, Ichiro missed out on a single vote from an Ohio journalist who had backed Sabathia instead.
In a light-hearted moment, Sabathia quipped that Ichiro had “stolen” Rookie of the Year from him.
As they reminisced about their storied careers, Sabathia shared a standout memory from July 30, 2005, when he faced Ichiro at Safeco Field.
After crafting a pitch tailored to retire Ichiro, Sabathia inadvertently ended up on the receiving end of a breathtaking 428-foot home run, marking a high point for Ichiro.
When the topic shifted to memorabilia, Ichiro beamed about a unique tribute from the Hall of Fame: a mock plaque dedicated to his cherished dog, Ikkyu.
He humorously noted that this honored position was akin to a similar nod given to Bob Feller’s cat, Felix.
Honoring Peers
Sabathia’s career took a spectacular turn when he signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the New York Yankees.
Though initially uncertain about joining the franchise amidst its chaos, a swift camaraderie established during spring training reassured him that he had made the right call.
Both Sabathia and Wagner celebrated incredible achievements with substantial voter backing.
Sabathia stood out with 342 ballots in his favor, while Wagner made his mark with 325, successfully surpassing the required threshold on his final attempt.
Overwhelmed by the emotions of his journey, Wagner expressed deep gratitude, feeling humbled by the honor.
At just 5-foot-10, Wagner is now distinguished as the first left-handed pitcher primarily recognized as a reliever to enter the Hall of Fame.
He hopes his achievement will inspire younger players to chase their dreams, regardless of their size or background.
Drawing inspiration from Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez, Wagner affirmed that if he could reach this pinnacle, then anyone could follow suit.
