Reactions of shock, disappointment, and anger continue to emerge from the baseball community after Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki fell just one vote short of being unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Fellow Hall of Famer and former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter, who was named on nearly every ballot in 2020, can relate to what Suzuki faced this week.
“A number of remarkable players in the Hall of Fame haven’t received 100% of the votes,” Jeter recently remarked to Ryan Morik of Fox News. “I never anticipated it, and I wouldn’t claim that everyone should’ve voted for me or for Ichiro. However, I do believe it’s fair for media members, who expect athletes to be responsible and accountable, to hold themselves to the same standard. I often get asked about this issue, and it becomes tiring; they should respond to it too.”
As of late Friday morning, NBC News’ Kimmy Yam reported that the identity of the one voter who did not support Ichiro remains unknown.
The MLB website highlights that Ichiro holds the record for the most professional hits in baseball history, with a total of 4,367, including his time in Japan.
A 10-time MLB All-Star, Ichiro received 10 Gold Glove Awards, was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2001, and also earned the AL Most Valuable Player title that same year. Beyond the impressive statistics that warrant his unanimous induction into the Hall of Fame, Ichiro is also recognized for paving the way for future Japanese stars.
According to Alex Rubinson of The Associated Press, Ichiro responded humorously to the Hall of Fame snub during an event on Thursday. “There’s one writer that I wasn’t able to get a vote from,” Ichiro said through a translator. “I would like to invite him over to my house, and we’ll have a drink together and have a good chat.” The only player to achieve unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame is iconic Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
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