Ichiro to be inducted into Mariners Hall of Fame in August 2022
Nov 17, 2021, 10:33 AM
Ichiro Suzuki waves from the Mariners dugout during a moment of acknowledgement on May 1, 2019. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
The Mariners will finish August 2022 with a celebration as the club has announced Ichiro Suzuki will be inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame the final weekend of that month. A weekend of special events has been planned, with the induction taking place during a pregame ceremony prior to the Mariners vs. Cleveland Guardians game on Saturday, Aug. 27.
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The 2001 American League Rookie of the Year and MVP will become the 10th member of the Mariners Hall of Fame, joining Alvin Davis, Dave Niehaus, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez, Randy Johnson, Dan Wilson, Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Piniella and Jamie Moyer.
“Mariners fans were fortunate to have watched Ichiro Suzuki perform his magic at the plate and in the field for over a decade in a Mariners uniform,” said John Stanton, Seattle Mariners Chair and Managing Partner, in the press release announcing the news. “As the first position player to transition from Japan to Major League Baseball, Ichiro opened minds and won hearts of American fans with his brilliant play and dedication to his craft. His selection to the Mariners Hall of Fame was unanimous, and I fully expect Ichiro to take his place in Cooperstown on the first ballot in 2025.”
In his 14 years with Seattle, Ichiro recorded numbers that placed him at or near the top of franchise lists in numerous categories. He ranks first in hits (2,542), batting average (.322), at-bats (7,907), triples (79), and stolen bases (438); second in games (1,861) and runs (1,181); and third in doubles (295) and total bases (3,292). He also made 10 consecutive All-Star appearances and won 10 straight Gold Gloves.
With the bat, Ichiro recorded 10 straight 200-hit seasons, winning two batting titles and three Silver Slugger awards along the way. In 2004, he recorded a MLB single-season record 262 hits, surpassing George Sisler’s previous record of 257 set in 1920.
There will never be another Ichiro. pic.twitter.com/KZgGnp83rH
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) November 17, 2021
His MLB career spanned 19 seasons with Seattle, New York Yankees and Miami Marlins, during which time he collected 3,089 hits. He played nine seasons with the Orix Blue Wave of Japan’s Pacific League before coming to America, amassing 1,278 hits. Ichiro’s professional career ended where it began on March 21, 2019, as he announced his retirement after playing in the Mariners’ two game series in Tokyo against the Oakland A’s.
Ichiro currently serves as an instructor with the Mariners’ major league and Triple-A teams. He also holds the title of Special Assistant to the Chairman.
Ichiro is eligible to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025.
