On Tuesday night, it became almost certain that Ichiro Suzuki would be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The only question was whether his election would be unanimous.
As a result of 394 baseball journalists submitting their votes, he received 99.7% of the votes, just one vote short.
That's the same total Derek Jeter received in 2020, when he was one vote short of unanimous selection.
Mariano Rivera is the only player in MLB history to be selected unanimously in 2019 with 100% of the votes cast.
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Former Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki throws the ball into the dugout before throwing the ceremonial first pitch during a game against the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park. (Joe Nicholson/USA Today Sports)
The vote was always viewed with suspicion, and the reaction was not positive.
“Come forward, you dull skull.” New York Post reporter and Hall of Fame voter Jon Heyman wrote about X.
added Athletic writer Chris Kirshner“What an idiot.”
san francisco chronicle writer susan slusser He called the near miss “upsetting.”
Fellow Seattle Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. was a close second in 2016, with just three votes.
But the good news for Ichiro is that he will be permanently enshrined in Cooperstown this summer, becoming the first Japanese-born player to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Ichiro entered the majors in 2001 as a highly touted Japanese prospect, batting .353 in nine seasons in his home country, winning MVP three times and being named an All-Star seven times. After joining the Mariners at the age of 28, he quickly lived up to expectations, winning the American League MVP and contributing to the Mariners' 116-win record that year.
Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki waves to fans after the game against the Oakland Athletics at Tokyo Dome. (Darren Yamashita/USA Today Sports)
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From 2001 to 2010, Ichiro was named an All-Star every season and also won a Gold Glove Award every year. During that time, he won three Silver Slugger Awards and two batting titles, posting a .331 batting average and .806 OPS. In 2004, he set the all-time single-season record with 262 hits, becoming the only player in MLB history to have 10 consecutive seasons with 200 or more hits. He is one of only seven players to have over 500 stolen bases, with 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases.
After just 11 games in MLB, his career average never fell below .300 again. He retired with a .311 batting average, 3,089 hits, and 60.0 WAR. In the live ball era (1920 onwards), he was one of only 21 players (among eligible batters) to hit .300 in at least 10 seasons, and he was one of only 21 players (among eligible batters) to hit .300 in at least 10 consecutive seasons. Only one of the seven people achieved it. Ichiro spent most of his career with the Mariners and also had stints with the Yankees and Marlins.
Former Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki speaks at the Mariners Hall of Fame induction ceremony before the Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Guardians game at T-Mobile Park. (Stephen Bisig/USA Today Sports)
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In addition to Ichiro, this year's class also includes pitchers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.
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