Ichiro Suzuki first entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY almost 25 years ago, on November 12, 2001.

At that time, Suzuki had already contributed a bat from his MVP and Rookie of the Year season and was eager to explore the distinguished location dedicated to baseball’s legends, captivated by the history surrounding him.

On that same day, he received a call from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, announcing that he had won the American League Rookie of the Year award with 27 out of 28 first-place votes. When it was time for a conference call in then-Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson’s office, he was reluctant to disclose his location.

When questioned, he simply stated, “I’m in America.”

He then spent the remainder of the day with his wife and Idelson, touring the museum and admiring the Hall of Fame’s art collection.

“It became clear to me very quickly that he was a true renaissance man,” said Idelson, who is a close friend of Suzuki, to YSL News Sports. “He was interested in more than just baseball. He wanted to understand the cultural aspects of the sport, which included the art collection, and on each visit, he learned about a different collection.”

“It was quite remarkable.”

Now, at 51 years old, Suzuki was so impressed by the museum that he visited it eight times during his career, the highest number of visits by any active player, according to Idelson.

On Tuesday, Cooperstown, NY will become Suzuki’s permanent home as he is set to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, potentially joining New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera as one of only two players to receive unanimous selection.

“This means a great deal to him; it’s very significant,” Idelson notes. “Few appreciate baseball history in both America and Japan as much as he does. This cements an incredible career, not only in the U.S. but also in Japan.”

“His regard for the game, his desire to integrate and elevate the experience – you could argue he accomplished that.”

“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is monumental for him. While it won’t define him, since it is his career that does, having that plaque in Cooperstown and being the first Japanese-born player to receive it is historic.”

Suzuki is anticipated to be one of three players inducted on Tuesday, alongside starter CC Sabathia and closer Billy Wagner. They will join Dave Parker and the late Dick Allen, who were elected by the Hall of Fame Classic Era committee, during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony set for July 27.

“This is the highest honor for Ichiro,” remarked John Boggs, Suzuki’s agent. “He holds the Hall in such high esteem and has immense respect for it.”

“He’s a true student of the game, which is why he continually returned to absorb its history.”

There was never any doubt about Suzuki’s induction, especially considering his impressive career statistics: 3,089 hits in MLB (4,367 combined with his Japan stats), a .311 batting average, two batting titles, 10 Gold Glove awards, and being selected as an All-Star 10 times.

Suzuki and Fred Lynn are the only players to ever win MVP and AL Rookie of the Year in the same season. He received 27 out of 28 first-place votes when he set the rookie record for hits with 242, achieving a league-leading .350 batting average while stealing 56 bases. The lone other first-place vote went to Sabathia, who is also expected to join him on the Hall of Fame stage.

Suzuki’s hitting prowess was unmatched; he managed at least 200 hits, along with a Gold Glove and an All-Star selection in each of his first 10 seasons, a unique accomplishment. Aside from being an outstanding hitter, he also played in every game during four of his first 12 seasons.

Despite not starting his MLB career until the age of 27, Suzuki played for 19 years in the major leagues and would still be in the game today if given the opportunity. Even now, he appears to be in peak physical condition, outdoing many Seattle Mariners players when he comes back as a guest instructor every spring. Recently, he pitched to a Japanese women’s All-Star team, throwing a complete game at the Tokyo Dome, delivering 171 pitches, as Idelson reported.

“It’s incredible,” Idelson commented, “the passion he has for this game.”

Suzuki was the first name I marked on my Hall of Fame ballot this year, along with Sabathia, Wagner, and outfielders Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones, as well as shortstop Omar Vizquel. Jones and Beltran are likely to be inducted next year, while Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove winner with 2,877 hits, won’t be elected by writers due to a 2021 sexual harassment lawsuit settlement involving a minor league batboy.

Ryan Thibodaux’s Hall of Fame voting tracker removes any suspense regarding the elections, but it doesn’t lessen Sabathia and Wagner’s outstanding contributions to the game.

Sabathia, who finished in the top five for Cy Young voting five years in a row and won the award in 2007, was a reliable workhorse, pitching 3,577⅓ innings—the highest of any pitcher during his 19-year career—and achieving five seasons with over 230 innings. He won 251 games and recorded 12 shutouts, becoming one of only three left-handed pitchers in history with 250 wins and 3,000 strikeouts. Only future Hall of Famers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer have struck out more batters this century.

A World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Sabathia will be remembered for his selflessness during a brief stint with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he made five consecutive short-rest starts in September 2008, leading the team to their first playoff appearance in 26 years, despite being a rental player.

Wagner, who fell short by just five votes of election last year, is recognized as one of the most formidable strikeout pitchers in baseball history. His strikeout rate was 33.2% for batters faced, achieving a major-league record of 11.92 strikeouts per nine innings, while allowing a .187 batting average, the lowest since 1900. He saved 422 games, ranking eighth among relievers, and will gain entry during his 10^th and final year of eligibility.

Hall of Fame officials anticipate a record turnout for this induction ceremony class, possibly surpassing the 82,000 attendees seen during the 2007 ceremony for Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr.—but none will shine brighter than Suzuki.

“Even after moving from Japan 25 years ago,” Idelson said, “he is still highly respected there. They hold him in great esteem and will express their appreciation at his induction ceremony.”

To honor this moment, Suzuki will donate his complete collection of milestone baseballs, bats, gloves, and uniforms. He voiced to Idelson during his career that he would make whatever the Hall of Fame desired available for permanent display.

“He has always been fascinated by the Hall of Fame’s collection,” Idelson explained, “and how meticulously it is preserved. After Hank Aaron and Tom Seaver donated their entire collections, he wanted to be the third player to do so.”

“He trusts the Hall of Fame to look after his collection for eternity.”

And now, he will possess a plaque that will be prominently displayed in the revered Hall of Fame gallery right alongside it.

“He will be deeply honored to be an official member of the Hall of Fame among the greats of the game,” Boggs remarked. “And once he is in, you can bet he’ll keep returning.”

“He may never want to leave.”

“What a true legend.”

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