Ichiro has a Corridor of Fame thoughts and on off the sphere.
The long-time Seattle Mariner didn't maintain again throughout his Corridor of Fame acceptance speech on Sunday, calling out the lone Baseball Writers' Affiliation voter who failed to incorporate him on his or her poll, regardless of his historic profession achievements.
“Three‑thousand hits or 262 hits in a single season are achievements acknowledged by the writers. Properly, all however one in every of you. And by the way in which, the supply for that author to have dinner at my residence has now expired,” Ichiro mentioned to a roaring Cooperstown crowd.
Ichiro headlined the 2025 class, sharing the Cooperstown stage with CC Sabathia and elite reliever Billy Wagner, whereas legendary gamers Dick Allen and Dave Parker have been inducted posthumously.
Ichiro was chosen on his first poll with a sweeping 99.7 p.c of the vote share, amassing 393 of 394 votes.
The achievement additionally makes Ichiro the primary Asian-born Corridor of Fame inductee.
Over 19 MLB seasons, Ichiro racked up 3,089 main league hits with a profession batting common of a blistering .311, in addition to 509 stolen bases, 10 Gold Gloves, three Silver Slugger awards, and two batting titles.
Ichiro's single-season file of 262 hits in 2004 nonetheless stands to at the present time.
Ichiro's 242 hits as a rookie in 2001 are additionally tenth all-time and second after 1930 — that season he gained each MVP and Rookie of the Yr within the American League.
He additionally reached 10 consecutive All-Star video games to start his profession, an MLB file.
As of Ichiro's speech, the author who left him off the poll, protecting him from turning into the second unanimous first poll Corridor of Famer, has remained nameless.
Mariano Rivera acquired an ideal 425 of 425 votes for his preliminary Corridor of Fame bid in 2019.
Ichiro's 99.7 p.c ties Derek Jeter for second place.
