It started in 1992. That’s when Ichiro made his debut in professional baseball.
In 1992, Ichiro made his debut for the Orix Blue Wave at the age of 18. That season, he played only 40 games and hit .253/.276/.305. It wasn’t until 1994 that Ichiro became a prominent player in Japan. Throughout the next five seasons, he became a household name as he quickly rose through the ranks. In 9 NPB seasons, Ichiro had a .353 batting average to go with a .421 on-base percentage and a .522 slugging percentage. He had racked up 1,278 hits professionally before coming to MLB.
He had earned seven NPB Batting Titles and three MVPs. That earned him the honor of being the greatest position player to come out of Japan, no debate.
Prior to the announcement of him making the MLB Hall of Fame, it was announced that he would be inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Most fans know the history-making 2001 season.
That 2001 season was when Ichiro Suzuki debuted with the Seattle Mariners. He had become the first Japanese position player to sign a deal with an MLB team. The Mariners had paid $13 million for his posting rights. They then signed him to a three-year, $14 million contract. At the time critics had doubted his ability to hit off major league pitching, his durability, and whether Japanese position players could thrive in the Major Leagues. Many of those critics said that he would only be a 4th or 5th outfielder.
It’s safe to say that Ichiro quickly proved everyone wrong. His transition to the MLB had become groundbreaking and paved the way for many other Japanese position players to follow suit. Ichiro posted the most remarkable rookie season in MLB history in 2001. He led the league with 242 hits, a .350 batting average, and 56 stolen bases shattering the expectations set by the critics and on his way, he had won both the Rookie of the Year and MVP honors. While also leading the Mariners to the playoffs.
When he arrived in the MLB, he continued to dominate just like he had done in Japan. In just 10 seasons (2001-2010) Ichiro had already put together a Hall of Fame resume:
- 10 Consecutive 200-Hit Seasons
- An MLB record 262 hits in 2004
- Two Batting titles
- 10 All-Star Appearances
- 10 Gold Gloves
- 3 Silver Slugger Awards
- 3,000 Hit Club
He had continued playing until he was 45, 19 seasons in the MLB. Since his path-paving debut in 2001, we have seen many Japan-born position players succeed in the MLB. Ichiro had brought a new popularity to Major League Baseball and to the Mariners organization.
He was a phenomenal player who continued to play productive baseball well into his 30s and 40s. In 2019, the Mariners had scheduled some games against the Oakland Athletics in Japan. That would be the farewell series for Ichiro.
Ichiro’s durability was a talking point for years. He never played fewer than 136 games until he turned 44. Throughout his 19 years in the Major leagues, many talented players have come and gone, not only on the Mariners roster but throughout the MLB. Some of those players have already entered the Hall of Fame and some will be on the ballots over the next couple of years.
Although, he didn’t spend his entire career with the Mariners. Ichiro will join Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez as the only players to enter the Hall of Fame as Mariners. Several played for the Mariners but went in with a different team. After Ichiro, the next Mariner who could get in would be Felix Hernandez, who was on the ballot for the first time this year.
As far as Ichiro goes, he was a lock for the Hall of Fame. In 2,653 MLB games, he had racked up 3,089 hits, 647 walks, 509 stolen bases, and a career slash line of .311/.355/.402. However, his legacy goes beyond any statistical measures. He has already been inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame, and the No. 51 will likely be retired by Seattle soon enough.
There was no question about whether or not Ichiro would be in the Hall of Fame. The question was more geared toward whether or not, in which he fell just one vote short. Only one player in the history of the MLB has been unanimously inducted into the Hall of Fame, Mariano Rivera.
He had spent 13 1/2 seasons with Seattle. His career began and ended with the Mariners organization. He now helps in the Mariners organization as a Special Assistant to the Chairman, teaching outfield play, base-running, and batting on the Major League and AAA squads.
