Ichiro has a Hall of Fame mind and on off the field.
The long-time Seattle Mariner didn’t hold back during his Hall of Fame acceptance speech on Sunday, calling out the lone Baseball Writers’ Association voter who failed to include him on his or her ballot, despite his historic career achievements.
“Three‑thousand hits or 262 hits in one season are achievements recognized by the writers. Well, all but one of you. And by the way, the offer for that writer to have dinner at my home has now expired,” Ichiro said to a roaring Cooperstown crowd.
Ichiro headlined the 2025 class, sharing the Cooperstown stage with CC Sabathia and elite reliever Billy Wagner, while legendary players Dick Allen and Dave Parker were inducted posthumously.
Ichiro was selected on his first ballot with a sweeping 99.7 percent of the vote share, collecting 393 of 394 votes.
The achievement also makes Ichiro the first Asian-born Hall of Fame inductee.
Over 19 MLB seasons, Ichiro racked up 3,089 major league hits with a career batting average of a blistering .311, as well as 509 stolen bases, 10 Gold Gloves, three Silver Slugger awards, and two batting titles.
Ichiro’s single-season record of 262 hits in 2004 still stands to this day.
Ichiro’s 242 hits as a rookie in 2001 are also 10th all-time and second after 1930 — that season he won both MVP and Rookie of the Year in the American League.
He also reached 10 consecutive All-Star games to begin his career, an MLB record.
As of Ichiro’s speech, the writer who left him off the ballot, keeping him from becoming the second unanimous first ballot Hall of Famer, has remained anonymous.
Mariano Rivera received a perfect 425 of 425 votes for his initial Hall of Fame bid in 2019.
Ichiro’s 99.7 percent ties Derek Jeter for second place.
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