Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki was just announced as a near-unanimous selection for the baseball Hall of Fame class of 2025.
Near-unanimous, because preposterously preventing him from being unanimous was one single voter. Just one of 393 voters decided Suzuki, with his 3,089 hits, 509 stolen bases, and lifetime batting average of .311, was not worthy.
Yep, that’s right. 10-time All-Star, 10-time Golden Glove award winner, Rookie of the Year in 2001, AL MVP that same season. Oh, and he holds the MLB record for most hits in a season with 262.
One voter said, ‘Meh, not impressed.’
It’s very similar to the situation in which New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter fell one short vote of unanimous selection in 2020. His teammate, Mariano Rivera, was the first and only player to be elected unanimously to the MLB Hall of Fame.
Suzuki’s situation has Stephen A. Smith absolutely fuming, and we don’t blame him.
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Smith Livid Over Ichiro Suzuki Snub
Stephen A. Smith is demanding the one person who voted against Ichiro Suzuki for inclusion in the Hall of Fame to come forward.
“Nobody worth their salt would question whether or not this dude is a Hall of Famer,” Smith correctly analyzed on Wednesday’s episode of First Take. “One of the most complete players we have ever seen in the history of baseball. We know this.”
“That’s why he received all the votes that he received – and one person’s holding out. Who the hell is that person? I want their names! Who are they?” Smith continued to shout. “These weak ass people that wanna have a vote, but then you don’t want to let anybody know who you are! Stand up! Justify!”
It seems reasonable to suggest that if these sports reporters had to publicly acknowledge their vote, forcing them to explain their decision, you’d be less likely to see these silly games that Suzuki and Jeter have been subjected to. And since when do journalists want anything other than attention and accolades anyway? I digress…
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Suzuki Says He’d Like To Have A Drink With The Guy
For his part, Ichiro Suzuki isn’t quite as livid over the situation. In fact, he’d like to sit down and have a beer with the guy who voted against him for the Hall of Fame.
In life, as in baseball, Suzuki is cut from a different cloth than the rest of us mortals.
“I was able to receive many votes from the writers, and I’m grateful for them — but there was one writer that I wasn’t able to get a vote from,” Ichiro said.
“I would like to invite him over to my house, and we’ll have a drink together, and we’ll have a good chat.”
Ichiro on the one writer who didn't vote for him:
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 23, 2025
"I would like to invite him over to my house and have a drink together, and we will have a good chat." 🤣
(via @sny)pic.twitter.com/DuOyegMwfQ
Jeter, though, recently suggested he wanted the one voter who rejected him to be held accountable.
“I don’t care that someone didn’t vote for me. I really don’t, but I do think what becomes annoying is I have to constantly answer the question,” Jeter said. “And I don’t think I should be the one answering the question.”
“Whoever it is should answer the question. I don’t have a problem with it, but I get tired of being asked that question.”
The identity of the one person who did not vote for Derek Jeter for the Hall of Fame in 2020 has never been publicly revealed. It’s unlikely the person who didn’t vote for Ichiro Suzuki will come forward either. He doesn’t have to. Because these people aren’t held accountable.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2025 includes Suzuki, 6-time All-Star and World Series champion pitcher CC Sabathia, and relief pitcher Billy Wagner.
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