Ichiro Suzuki becomes 1st Japanese player elected into baseball’s Hall of Fame, joined by Sabathia, Wagner
Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, with Suzuki becoming the first Japanese player to receive this honor. Suzuki fell just one vote shy of being a unanimous selection, receiving 393 out of 394 votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Sabathia and Wagner also received the required 75 percent of votes, with Sabathia garnering 342 votes and Wagner receiving 325.
The induction ceremony for the three players will take place at Cooperstown on July 27, alongside Dave Parker and Dick Allen who were voted in by the classic era committee last month. Mariano Rivera remains the only player to receive 100 percent of the vote from the BBWAA, with Derek Jeter coming close with 395 out of 396 votes.
Suzuki, who came to MLB from Japan in 2001, had an impressive career, winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP in his debut season. Known for his exceptional contact hitting, Suzuki amassed over 3,000 hits in MLB, including a season-record 262 hits in 2004. Sabathia, a six-time All-Star and Cy Young Award winner, had a successful career spanning 19 seasons, while Wagner, a seven-time All-Star, became the ninth pitcher in the Hall primarily as a reliever.
Other notable players on the ballot included Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones, and Chase Utley, who received significant support but fell short of the required votes. Players like Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez, tainted by performance-enhancing drug scandals, struggled to gain traction in the voting process.
Looking ahead, players like Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, and Matt Kemp will join the ballot next year, while others such as Carlos Gonzalez, Curtis Granderson, and Hanley Ramirez will be dropped after receiving less than 5 percent of the vote.
Overall, the 2024 Hall of Fame class represents a diverse group of players who have left a lasting impact on the game of baseball. Their induction ceremony in July will be a celebration of their contributions to the sport.
