CC Sabathia has officially been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and he isn’t going alone—his former Yankees teammate Ichiro Suzuki joins him in Cooperstown.
Ichiro’s election was announced on Tuesday following the release of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) ballot results. CC Sabathia also surpassed the necessary 75% threshold in his first year of eligibility, cementing his legacy alongside the iconic Japanese outfielder. The pair shared the Yankees clubhouse from mid-2012 to 2014.
Joining them in this year’s Hall of Fame class is former Mets closer Billy Wagner, who earned election in his 10th and final year on the ballot.
CC Sabathia: A Bronx legend
Sabathia’s Hall of Fame career began long before his Yankees days, but his impact on the Bronx Bombers is undeniable. Signed ahead of the 2009 season on a then-record $161 million, seven-year deal for a pitcher, Sabathia led the Yankees to their most recent World Series title in his first season.
A six-time All-Star and the 2007 American League Cy Young Award winner with Cleveland, Sabathia also made history with Milwaukee. Acquired at the 2008 trade deadline, he carried the Brewers to their first postseason appearance in 25 years, posting a dominant 1.65 ERA over 17 starts.
Sabathia ended his career with 251 wins and 3,093 strikeouts, ranking third all-time among left-handers in strikeouts behind only Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton. Known for his fierce competitiveness and leadership, Sabathia was a beloved figure in the clubhouse and a warrior on the mound.
In his final MLB appearance during Game 4 of the 2019 ALCS, Sabathia pitched with a partially dislocated shoulder before walking off to a standing ovation at Yankee Stadium. Reflecting on his career that night, Sabathia summed it up poignantly: “I threw until I couldn’t anymore.”
Ichiro Suzuki: The global star
When the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2025 class was announced on Tuesday, everyone was asking who had snubbed Ichiro Suzuki.
According to the New York Post, Ichiro received 393 out of 394 possible votes, falling just one short of a unanimous ballot.
Ichiro’s career in Major League Baseball, which began in 2001 after a storied tenure in Japan, left an indelible mark on the sport. He burst onto the scene with the Seattle Mariners, capturing Rookie of the Year, MVP, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger honors all in his debut season. Over his 19-year MLB career, Ichiro accumulated 3,089 hits, 1,420 runs, 509 stolen bases, 10 Gold Gloves, two batting titles, and 10 All-Star appearances. He also set an MLB single-season record with 262 hits in 2004, a feat that remains unmatched.
Yet, despite such accomplishments, one anonymous voter withheld their support, sparking widespread criticism among sportswriters and fans.
“Ichiro missed unanimity by 1 vote,” The Post’s Jon Heyman tweeted. “Please step forward, you numbskull.”
Former Jets lineman and ESPN analyst Damien Woody echoed the sentiment, expressing his frustration on social media: “Who was the numbskull that didn’t vote for Ichiro?”
Others in the baseball community were equally baffled. Jared Carrabis, host of the “Underdog MLB” podcast, questioned the logic of any dissenting voter: “Not sure how you could be a Hall of Fame voter looking at Ichiro’s body of work and be like, ‘Yeah, I just don’t see it.’”
Fox Sports analyst Ben Verlander went further, demanding accountability. “Ichiro missed being a unanimous Hall of Famer by 1 vote,” he wrote. “Out yourself. Who didn’t vote for Ichiro. And why?”
Even longtime ESPN insider Buster Olney, known for his measured tone, was perplexed, though less confrontational: “It’ll be interesting to see if the person who didn’t vote for Ichiro is transparent in the reasoning behind that decision.”
Ichiro’s near-unanimous induction cements his status as one of baseball’s all-time greats and a trailblazer for international players, particularly those from Japan. While the identity of the dissenting voter remains unknown, their decision continues to draw sharp criticism from fans and analysts alike.
For now, the spotlight remains on Ichiro, whose extraordinary career and contributions to the game transcend any single vote.
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