Suzuki Kazu Reflects on Career During Hall of Fame Speech

Suzuki Kazu, remember him? The legendary player who made a memorable impact on the field, really brought a sense of fun to his Hall of Fame speech on Sunday. He took a lighthearted jab at the Miami Marlins, the team he signed with in 2015, where he spent a few seasons toward the end of his remarkable career.

During his speech, he thanked David Samson and Mike Hill for attending. He joked, “Honestly, when you all called me to offer a 2015 contract, I never heard of your team.” It was a humorous moment that had the crowd chuckling.

Suzuki, who garnered almost unanimous support for his induction, originally hails from Japan but delivered his speech in English. While he acknowledged his former Yankees teammates, it felt more serious compared to the playful tone he used for the Marlins.

Reflecting on his time with the Yankees, he mentioned how his former teammates were there primarily to support CC Sabathia. “I know you guys are really here for CC today, but that’s fine. He deserves your love,” he remarked, showcasing his humility.

At the Yankees, Suzuki, no longer the front-runner for the MVP title as he was with the Mariners, still put up respectable numbers. In 2012, the year he was traded, he hit .322 after joining the team before the trade deadline in exchange for two minor league pitchers.

That season, the Yankees achieved a solid 95 wins but were ultimately swept by the Tigers in the American League Championship Series. It was a tough moment, especially with Derek Jeter suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the first game of the series.

Overall, Suzuki’s MLB career spanned 19 years, but that doesn’t even include the nine seasons he played in Japan for the Orix Blue Wave. Quite a legacy, really.