It comes as no surprise that Ichiro Suzuki was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility, with the induction set for this summer. The overwhelming support was evident as he received nearly unanimous votes, with just one voter choosing not to include him on their ballot. This led to an intriguing question from ESPN’s renowned college basketball announcer, Dick Vitale.
“How can anyone who is involved in the voting not vote for Ichiro?” Vitale expressed his thoughts further on X, stating, “He should be so EMBARRASSED,” Vitale remarked about the voter. “Logically, no way if a baseball fan you cannot vote for ICHIRO.”
How can anyone who is involved in the voting not vote for ICHIRO – he should be so EMBARRASSED. Logically, no way if a baseball fan you cannot vote for ICHIRO. via @ESPN App https://t.co/6Jjwo9RYVc
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 24, 2025
In response to the lone snub, Ichiro took it gracefully, extending an invitation to the unidentified voter for drinks and “a good chat.” Vitale’s frustration is understandable; it’s difficult to comprehend how anyone could have witnessed Ichiro’s incredible career and chosen not to vote for him. This 10-time MLB All-Star, who achieved both the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP Awards in 2001, boasts 10 Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, two AL batting championships, and an impressive total of 3,089 career hits, including a record-setting 262 in 2004, all while debuting in MLB at the age of 27.
However, while the outrage is justified, it’s not unprecedented. In 2019, New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera achieved the distinction of being the first player ever to be unanimously inducted into the Hall of Fame. This means that previously inducted greats, such as Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn, Willie Mays, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Tom Seaver, and Ted Williams, all faced similar scrutiny with voters. Although Rivera’s induction raised hopes for more unanimous selections, Derek Jeter’s 2020 induction mirrored Ichiro’s experience, with one voter opting to exclude him from the ballot.
While Vitale’s concern is certainly valid, perhaps he can take solace in knowing that Ichiro joins an exclusive and esteemed group of players.
