In years past, Ichiro Suzuki has been making the arduous journey to the U.S. National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. There is a strong possibility that he will soon be enshrined as the first Hall of Famer from Japan. Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch holds a special view of Suzuki. Not only due to his remarkable accomplishments in Major League Baseball but also because of his career in Japan and his extraordinary bond with baseball history and the Hall itself.

Ichiro Suzuki's Impact on Baseball

In 2004, Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners singled to center, achieving his record-breaking 258th hit of the season in the third inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field in Seattle. As Rawitch mentioned in a recent Kyodo News interview, "I don't think you can say enough things about what Ichiro means to baseball in Japan and in the United States. It's an incredibly exciting time for baseball enthusiasts as we've never had someone with such a global influence on our ballot before." Suzuki didn't start collecting hits in MLB until he was 27, already having three MVPs and seven batting titles from Japan's Pacific League.His 2001 debut season was a game-changer. Just like Hideo Nomo did in 1995 by proving that Japanese pitchers could shine in MLB, Suzuki winning a batting championship and an MVP award opened the door for Japanese position players. It also transformed TV coverage of U.S. games, making it a daily morning event in Japan.Rawitch further emphasized, "To get 3,000 hits in America on top of what he did in Japan is truly remarkable." Suzuki retired after a March 2019 game at Tokyo Dome and is now on the ballot in his first year of eligibility. He might even become the second player to be inducted by a unanimous vote.

Ichiro Suzuki's Unique Attributes

While Suzuki's rare attributes included his exceptional speed and skill, his powerful rifle arm and uncanny ability to hit safely set him apart. But what makes him stand out in many ways is his deep respect for the history of the game. He used to visit Cooperstown frequently when he was a player. Most players don't make the effort to come here in the winter and quietly explore Cooperstown.In 2004, he broke the record for hits in an MLB season with 262, surpassing George Sisler's mark of 257 set in 1920. He celebrated this achievement with members of the Hall of Famer's family.Rawitch said, "It's a combination of a player who not only achieved great things but also understands and respects the history of those who came before him. When talking to him about the history of the game and why he loves coming to Cooperstown and feels it's important to be here, it's because he can hold George Sisler's bat and feel the special powers within it. Many baseball players, while playing, don't think about the history of the game."

The Timing and Significance

The timing of having Suzuki on the ballot couldn't be better for the Hall of Fame. It is opening a new exhibit next year about the exchange of baseball between Japan and the United States. Rawitch stated, "This is the first time we've truly focused on the history of baseball between the two countries. We hope that many Japanese fans will want to come and see not only things related to Ichiro or Shohei Ohtani or Nomo-san but the entire history between the two countries will be a significant part of what we're doing next year."Just as many of his countrymen have followed in Suzuki's footsteps to play baseball in the United States, perhaps an even greater number from all walks of life will follow him to Cooperstown.