Ichiro Suzuki made history by becoming the first Japanese player elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame, narrowly missing unanimous selection by just one vote. Suzuki received 393 out of 394 votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Alongside him, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner were also elected, each securing the necessary votes to be inducted into Cooperstown.
Suzuki, who made his MLB debut in 2001 at the age of 27, is widely regarded as one of the greatest contact hitters in baseball history. He won the AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP in the same season, a feat only matched by Fred Lynn in 1975. Over his career, Suzuki was a two-time AL batting champion, a 10-time All-Star, and a Gold Glove outfielder. He accumulated a .311 batting average, 117 home runs, 780 RBIs, and 509 stolen bases. His career was primarily spent with the Seattle Mariners, where he played from 2001 to 2012 and again in 2018-2019, as well as with the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins.
One of Suzuki’s most remarkable achievements was his single-season record of 262 hits in 2004, which stands as a testament to his exceptional consistency and ability to make contact. He ended his MLB career with 3,089 hits, and his combined total of 4,367 hits between Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and Major League Baseball surpassed Pete Rose’s MLB record of 4,256 hits. Suzuki’s influence on the game extended beyond his personal accomplishments, as he helped pave the way for future Japanese players in the MLB.
Sabathia, a six-time All-Star, was known for his dominance on the mound. The left-handed pitcher won the 2007 AL Cy Young Award and played a key role in the New York Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship. Over the course of his 19-year career, Sabathia compiled a 251-161 record with a 3.74 ERA and 3,093 strikeouts. His career was primarily spent with Cleveland, Milwaukee, and the Yankees, and he ranks third among left-handed pitchers for strikeouts, behind only Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton.
Wagner, a seven-time All-Star, was one of the most dominant closers in MLB history. He spent his career with several teams, including the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves. Wagner finished with a 47-40 record, a 2.31 ERA, and 422 saves. His 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings is the highest rate among pitchers with at least 900 innings. His election to the Hall of Fame solidifies his place among the greatest relief pitchers in history, joining the ranks of legends like Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Goose Gossage.
Carlos Beltrán, another prominent name on the ballot, fell short of election this year, receiving 277 votes, 19 votes shy of the 75% required for induction. Beltrán had a storied career as a nine-time All-Star, accumulating 435 home runs, 1,587 RBIs, and 312 stolen bases. He played for several teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers. His career was marred by controversy surrounding his involvement in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, which may have affected his Hall of Fame candidacy.
Looking ahead, the 2026 Hall of Fame ballot will feature new candidates, including Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, and Matt Kemp, all of whom had notable careers in MLB. The class of 2025, however, will be forever remembered for the induction of Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner, whose remarkable careers have earned them a place in baseball history. The induction ceremony will take place on July 27, 2025, in Cooperstown, New York, where these baseball legends will be celebrated for their contributions to the game.
