Cooperstown Induction Highlights

Cooperstown – Throughout his major league career, Suzuki Kazushi was a familiar face at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

This Sunday, he will officially be inducted.

Speaking through an interpreter on Saturday, Ichiro mentioned that building a hall was “never a goal.” Instead, he viewed the Hall of Fame as a place to recharge and get through tough seasons.

This sentiment was especially true during his time with the Yankees from 2012 to 2014.

During those years, he collected 311 of his total 3,089 hits. Even though his transition from Seattle to New York came with its challenges, he remembered those moments fondly. “My two and a half years here in New York have been an incredible experience,” he reflected. “It can be a difficult experience… Sometimes looking out at Manhattan, it felt like, ‘You don’t belong here.’ But it’s something I think everyone should experience at least once.”

Ichiro also reminisced about his time with CC Sabathia, whom he met after joining the league in 2001.

Sabathia, though joking, recalled, “We were rookies the same year and I always say he stole my Rookie of the Year Award.” Ichiro secured 27 of the 28 votes that year, with Sabathia earning the sole remaining vote after a standout season with 242 hits.

It’s worth noting, though, that Ichiro had the benefit of being 27 years old and had already played nine seasons professionally in Japan, while Sabathia, at just 20, was breaking into the majors with Cleveland.

Meanwhile, after a decade of waiting for induction, Billy Wagner expressed his emotions leading up to his own induction.

“It was worth the wait,” Wagner stated. He not only had a career at Division III Ferram College but also represented a significant part of his identity in Virginia. “It’s the first, so there’s emotion… It’s overwhelming,” he admitted.

Wagner notably became the first left-handed reliever to be inducted into the Hall, potentially paving the way for future southpaws. “To be the first left-hander here, you have a lot of weight,” he remarked.

With 422 saves to his name, Wagner made his mark as a dominant left-handed closer.

Only former Met John Franco, who finished with 424 saves, has a higher total. However, Franco faced challenges during his Hall of Fame voting, only staying on the ballot for a year before falling short of the required 5% to remain in contention.

The 2011 voting saw 13 inductions, but Franco only managed to secure 4.6%. He may now have to rely on a veterans committee for future opportunities.