Ichiro Suzuki becomes first Asian player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Ichiro Suzuki, the dominant contact hitter whose 19 years in the major leagues, most of them with the Seattle Mariners, were lined with records and accolades, on Tuesday became the first Asian player elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Ichiro Suzuki, the dominant contact hitter whose 19 years in the major leagues, most of them with the Seattle Mariners, were lined with records and accolades, on Tuesday became the first Asian player elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame.

He received 99.7% of the vote, missing a unanimous selection by one vote. New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, inducted in 2019, remains the only member of the Hall of Fame to get 100%.

Ichiro joins starting pitcher CC Sabathia and relief pitcher Billy Wagner as part of the class of 2025 headed to Cooperstown, New York.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Japanese government’s top spokesperson, congratulated Ichiro on Wednesday, telling reporters in Tokyo that he was “a superstar who has given hope and dreams to many people.”

Ichiro made his debut with the Mariners in 2001, becoming the first Japanese position player to join Major League Baseball. That season he won both the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/ichiro-suzuki-hall-of-fame-first-asian-player-rcna188217

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