Ichiro's "unimaginable" achievement

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/3769/


Wednesday Jan. 22, 2025

Former Japanese Major League Baseball star, Suzuki Ichiro, has made history by being elected to the US National Baseball Hall of Fame's Class of 2025. He is the first Japanese player to achieve this feat.

Ichiro received 99.7 percent of the ballots cast in his first year of eligibility, missing out on a unanimous selection by just one vote.
One vote difference "very good"
Watch video 0:56
Ichiro spoke at a press conference in Seattle.

After the announcement, Ichiro smiled as he said that it was "very good" that he had missed a unanimous selection by one vote.

He told reporters, "When I first started playing in the Major Leagues in 2001, I don't think anybody in the world imagined this outcome."

He added, "I have had so many experiences, both good and hard, but I moved forward step by step. Today I don't have words enough to say what I feel."

He said he believes humans are imperfect, but are all striving for their own type of perfection ― and that is life. Missing by one ballot reminded him that being imperfect is a good thing.

He reminisced about 2001, when he began playing in the MLB as the first fielder from Japan, and realized that his debut year would become a benchmark for the Japanese players that came after him.

"After 3 years, I got the feeling I was approved of, to a certain extent, by the people around me, mostly Americans," he added.

Asked about advice for younger players, he said they should realize that just having natural ability isn't enough.

"There were many players with amazing talent, but having natural ability and being able to use it are different things, and you need to know that," he said. "How well you know yourself will have a big impact on your results."
Ichiro standing by a uniform with his number, 51.

The Seattle Mariners have announced they will retire the number 51, which was Ichiro's number while he played. It is the first time a Japanese player has been so honored by the MLB.
Turning pressure into strength

At 27 in 2001, Ichiro was one of the first Japanese fielders to join the Major League. Shinjo Tsuyoshi, currently a manager for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters baseball team, made his MLB debut at the same time.
Ichiro in 2001

By 2001, Ichiro had been a leading batter in Japan for 7 straight years, achieving 200 hits in a season.

But the initial response of US baseball fans was cold. He recalled that when he joined training camp in 2001, fans would often harshly tell him "Go back to Japan."

Ichiro didn't give in, throwing off the pressure with repeated hits thanks to his tactical bat control skills.

During his first year with the MLB, Ichiro was chosen as a regular player. He went on to a .350 batting average and 56 stolen bases, becoming a leader in both categories. The Mariners won 116 games, while Ichiro was chosen MVP and Rookie of the Year.

Ichiro got more than 200 hits in each of his first 10 seasons in the MLB. In 2004, he racked up 262, a regular season record that still stands.

Many Ichiro fans especially remember his 258th hit, which broke the previous 84 year-old record.

He was chosen for All-Star games and also received the Gold Glove award, which honors strong fielders.

After two and a half seasons with the New York Yankees, and three with the Miami Marlins, Ichiro returned to the Mariners in 2018. In 2019, when the MLB season opened at the Tokyo Dome, Ichiro played his final two professional games.

Ichiro finished his 19-year MLB career with a total of 3,089 hits, the 24th highest.
Widespread celebration
Ichiro's father speaking to reporters in his central Japanese hometown.

Suzuki Nobuyuki, Ichiro's father, told reporters he was grateful, adding that this honor came from his son trying as hard as he could. He said, "As a parent, all I can say is 'Good for you.'"

In the western city of Kobe, where Ichiro played for the then-Orix Blue Wave right after he turned pro, baseball fans expressed their joy.

One local man said he was simply happy.

"Even after his retirement, Ichiro still teaches children not only baseball skills but also good attitudes, like treating their gear properly," said the man, who is in his 50s.

"I hope he will continue to lead Japanese baseball," he added.

Former MLB slugger Matsui Hideki said he warmly congratulated his fellow MLB veteran. Ichiro did not let himself be trapped by the usual thinking of baseball, following his own way of thinking to achieve his great career, he added.
Ichiro and Matsui in Tokyo Dome, 2024