• Loading stock data...
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Ichiro Elected to Hall of Fame; 1 Vote Shy of Unanimous

Ichiro Suzuki headlines a class that also includes CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. He received 393 out of 394 votes.

Ichiro
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Ichiro Suzuki is heading to Cooperstown a hair shy of a perfect score. 

The Japanese baseball legend fell a vote short of being the second unanimous selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the museum announced Tuesday, getting 393 out of 394 votes. He is joined by CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker, and Dick Allen. Parker and Allen were selected through the Classic Baseball Era Committee and not by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Players need 75% of the BBWAA vote to gain induction into the Hall. The players will all be inducted during a ceremony in July. 

Mariano Rivera remains the lone player to receive 100% of the vote on his first ballot, when he was inducted in 2019. Suzuki joins Derek Jeter as the two players who fell a vote shy of unanimous selection. 

Ichiro, who was one of the few baseball players universally known just by his first name, was one of the game’s most consistent hitters, racking up 4,367 career hits between Nippon Professional Baseball (1992–2000) and Major League Baseball (2001–2019), the most all-time in the game’s top ranks. He spent the first eight seasons of his career playing in Japan before joining the Seattle Mariners for the 2001 season, where he was named Rookie of the Year and American League MVP in the same season. 

His impact is still being felt today as he paved the way for Japanese stars to follow him across the Pacific Ocean, including Hideki Matsui, Yu Darvish, and Shohei Ohtani, among others. 

He got into the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot along with pitcher CC Sabathia, who received 86.8% of the vote. Wagner (82.5%), who was on his 10th and final year on the ballot. Carlos Beltran finished with 277 votes for 70.3% of the vote, falling short of reaching the required 75% for induction.

Sabathia pitched 18 years in the majors for Cleveland, the Brewers, and the Yankees, where he was the team’s ace on the 2009 team that won the World Series. He was a six-time All-Star and went 251–161 for his career. 

Wagner pitched for 15 seasons, eight of which were with the Astros, and is one of only eight pitchers in the 400 saves club. He came five votes shy of induction a year ago and got over the hump in his final year of eligibility. 

Behind Beltran, Andruw Jones (66.2%) and longtime Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (39.8%) were the next highest-vote getters to fall short of induction. All three will be on the 2026 ballot. 

Next year’s ballot includes first-timers Cole Hamels, who is Utley’s former teammate, Ryan Braun, and Hunter Pence, among others. 

Players become eligible to appear on the Hall of Fame ballot five years after retiring and need to maintain 5% of the vote to continue to appear on future ballots for the full 10 years. Only eligible members of the BBWAA are able to vote for Hall of Famers, and only qualify by being active baseball writers for at least 10 years. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN headquarters
exclusive

ESPN Editor Leaves for Ring Mag Amid Cristina Daglas Investigation

Elizabeth Baugh had been at ESPN for nearly a decade.
Kelly Coleman, pro bat lead operator, inspects a torpedo bat after it comes out of a baseball bat lathe at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, Ky. on Mar. 31, 2025.

‘Torpedo’ Bat Sales Boom As Debate Rages About Effectiveness

Several manufacturers report historic interest in the much-debated bat design.
A view of the FanDuel Sportsbook betting area at Belterra Park Cincinnati.

FanDuel’s PE Backers Fire Back at Founder’s Legal Fight Over 2018 Sale

The legal dispute stems from the 2018 sale of 61% of FanDuel.

Featured Today

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion
April 1, 2025

Inside the 24-Hour NIL March Madness Deals

Some of the most viral partnerships come together overnight.
Seattle Kraken
April 1, 2025

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.

This Year’s Masters Features Smallest LIV Golf Contingent Yet

There are 12 LIV players set to compete in Augusta.
March 31, 2025

WNBA Draft: Tourney Stars Face Tough Choices Amid CBA Uncertainty

Flau’Jae Johnson is still undecided.
Mar 30, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) reacts after a fight against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Target Center. Stewart was later ejected from the game.
April 1, 2025

NBA Lightly Suspends Five Players for Timberwolves-Pistons Brawl

The brawl came in a game where 12 technical fouls were issued.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Sponsored

Win. Advance. Repeat: The Professional Fighters League’s Rise to Prominence 

As of 2025, PFL has introduced a World Tournament format, where every fighter must battle through a high-stakes bracket to reach a championship.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
March 25, 2025

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”
March 21, 2025

Tennis Turmoil: Grand Slams Reject Tours’ Proposal Amid Pay Dispute

The Grand Slams wish to create a “premium tour.”
March 21, 2025

Blue Jays CEO Says Guerrero Not Ohtani, but Confident He’ll Sign

Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro is optimistic about keeping the superstar.