Ichiro Suzuki (52), who had a legendary career in Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The Japanese media outlet Sports Hochi reported on the 28th (Korean time), "Ichiro, who recorded a total of 3,089 hits in Major League Baseball and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the U.S. this January as the first Asian player, attended the ceremony held in Cooperstown, New York."
Ichiro recorded a batting average of .311 (3,089 hits in 9,934 at-bats) with 117 home runs, 780 RBIs, 1,420 runs scored, and 509 stolen bases over 2,653 games in Major League Baseball. He also has a batting average of .353 (1,278 hits in 3,619 at-bats) with 118 home runs, 529 RBIs, 658 runs scored, and 199 stolen bases over 951 games in Nippon Professional Baseball. He recorded a total of 4,367 hits in both Japan and the U.S. Ichiro made his Major League debut in 2001, winning both the American League Rookie of the Year Award and the Most Valuable Player Award simultaneously, and subsequently earned 10 All-Star selections, 10 Gold Glove Awards, and 3 Silver Slugger Awards, among numerous accolades.
Ichiro retired from professional baseball in 2018 and played his retirement game in 2019. This year, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in both Japan and the U.S. He aimed to become the second player after Mariano Rivera to achieve a unanimous decision in the U.S. Hall of Fame voting but fell short by just one vote.
Ichiro, who attended the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Nomo," acknowledging Hideo Nomo, who paved the way for Asian players in Major League Baseball. Nomo debuted in Major League Baseball with the Dodgers in 1995, accumulating a record of 123 wins and 109 losses with an earned run average of 4.24 over 323 games (1,976⅓ innings).
Ichiro noted, "Thanks to Mr. Nomo, Major League Baseball became widely known in Japan," adding, "He has inspired many people, including myself," emphasizing that Nomo played a significant role in encouraging Japanese players to actively enter Major League Baseball.
Ichiro, who grandly retired as Japan's top player, stated, "I have never had the Hall of Fame as a goal. I have not yet reached my goal. That is why I am still playing baseball," indicating that he will continue his passion for the sport.
Meanwhile, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker, and Dick Allen also attended the induction ceremony to celebrate alongside Ichiro.
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